Seven Habits for Drafting a Highly Effective QB

[MightyGiants]

Mike Lombardi penned these a few years back.  I will post the rules, the explanations are at the link

Trait No. 1: Winning Pedigree
How many times did he come back and lead the team to a win? How often does he play with the lead? How often does he play from behind?

Trait No. 2: The Thickest Skin
Mental, physical, and emotional toughness. Must demonstrate mental toughness on and off the field. Must be thick-skinned, must handle the pressure of the position, positive and negative.

Trait No. 3: Blood, Sweat, and Tears
Is he the hardest-working player on the team, or at least one of the hardest?

Trait No. 4: High Football IQ
Does he study tape? Alone or with the coach? Which day does he get the game plan? How much time does he need to "know" it? Is he football smart?

Trait No. 5: The Crib Factor
Was he born to be a quarterback?

Trait No. 6: Body Language
You must attend a live game to get a feel for the body language of the player — and when you do, do you like what you see?

Trait No. 7: The Charm Factor
Do his teammates love him? What do his teammates say about him, off the record?

https://www.theringer.com/2017/4/5/16040232/2017-nfl-draft-quarterbacks-deshaun-watson-mitchell-trubisky-6e0d45a52fa5

[EDjohnst1981]

Interesting. I know you've said you've attended scouting courses in the past so I'd be interested to know your thoughts, using the above grading, on the current batch of QBs. Also how does DJ score as a comparison?

[MightyGiants]

Interesting. I know you've said you've attended scouting courses in the past so I'd be interested to know your thoughts, using the above grading, on the current batch of QBs. Also how does DJ score as a comparison?

John,

What I know is that the game tape is maybe 50% of a QB's grade.  Just look at the list; how many of those traits are ones you learn from interviews with the player, his coach, and other sources on the prospect's team?   So it's difficult to say (and as we get closer to the draft we may hear more about the many off-field traits of prospects so the picture can become clearer.  Right now I don't think I can do justice to any of the picks (maybe McCarthy since I studied him so much, but one isn't all that helpful).

As we know quite a bit about Jones (by virtue of his 5 seasons with the team), I think we have a reasonably good take on his traits as they relate to the scouting matrix.

1)  Not very good, his college teams had some winning records by not by much.  The Giants (with 2022 being the exception) have not faired much better

2) Thick skin-  considering the abuse he gets by fans and his seeming non-reaction, he hit this trait out of the park

3) No one doubts his fanatical work ethic

4) High football IQ-  Hard to say, he went to Duke, and he had a scholarship to Princeton so he's an intelligent man, but I can't say with certainty that his football IQ matches his general IQ

5) Crib Factor-  DJ strike me as a guy who has to work at it.  I don't think QB comes natural to him.

6) Body Language-  Middle of the road, I have seen worse, but I have also seen better

7) Charm Factor-  high marks, despite his struggles, he seems to have the respect and appreciation of his teammates.

[Philosophers]

John,

What I know is that the game tape is maybe 50% of a QB's grade.  Just look at the list; how many of those traits are ones you learn from interviews with the player, his coach, and other sources on the prospect's team?   So it's difficult to say (and as we get closer to the draft we may hear more about the many off-field traits of prospects so the picture can become clearer.  Right now I don't think I can do justice to any of the picks (maybe McCarthy since I studied him so much, but one isn't all that helpful).

As we know quite a bit about Jones (by virtue of his 5 seasons with the team), I think we have a reasonably good take on his traits as they relate to the scouting matrix.

1)  Not very good, his college teams had some winning records by not by much.  The Giants (with 2022 being the exception) have not faired much better

2) Thick skin-  considering the abuse he gets by fans and his seeming non-reaction, he hit this trait out of the park

3) No one doubts his fanatical work ethic

4) High football IQ-  Hard to say, he went to Duke, and he had a scholarship to Princeton so he's an intelligent man, but I can't say with certainty that his football IQ matches his general IQ

5) Crib Factor-  DJ strike me as a guy who has to work at it.  I don't think QB comes natural to him.

6) Body Language-  Middle of the road, I have seen worse, but I have also seen better

7) Charm Factor-  high marks, despite his struggles, he seems to have the respect and appreciation of his teammates.

One thing Rich I don't see is DJ having that intangible "it" factor as a leader.  I think he's quiet and expects his teammates to lift themselves up.  I'd prefer him to be more positively vocal, joke around, etc to connect more with his teammates.  I think they like him and respect his work ethic but I dont see them gravitating to him.  A great leader gets that.

[MightyGiants]

One thing Rich I don't see is DJ having that intangible "it" factor as a leader.  I think he's quiet and expects his teammates to lift themselves up.  I'd prefer him to be more positively vocal, joke around, etc to connect more with his teammates.  I think they like him and respect his work ethic but I dont see them gravitating to him.  A great leader gets that.

John,

Do you remember the record turnout of players that gathered at DJ's informal training camp?  Hard to say he lacked the leadership element when so many players showed up to work out with him while they were on vacation.

[Philosophers]

John,

Do you remember the record turnout of players that gathered at DJ's informal training camp?  Hard to say he lacked the leadership element when so many players showed up to work out with him while they were on vacation.

I can't tell if that is because he is their QB leader or a leader (guy they want to hang out with more voluntarily). 

[Bob In PA]

One thing Rich I don't see is DJ having that intangible "it" factor as a leader.  I think he's quiet and expects his teammates to lift themselves up.  I'd prefer him to be more positively vocal, joke around, etc to connect more with his teammates.  I think they like him and respect his work ethic but I dont see them gravitating to him.  A great leader gets that.

Phil: You're right about Jones, IMO. I think if a QB is solid in each of the first six categories, the last one usually takes care of itself (or not).

Although your suggestions for Jones make sense, I don't think the "it" factor is something a guy can "work on" (it's either there or it's not).

My advice to Jones at this point in his career and in his current situation with the Giants would be keep your head down, keep working on the items among the first six which are within your control and be yourself.

Bob

[Philosophers]

Phil: You're right about Jones, IMO. I think if a QB is solid in each of the first six categories, the last one usually takes care of itself (or not).

Although your suggestions for Jones make sense, I don't think the "it" factor is something a guy can "work on" (it's either there or it's not).

My advice to Jones at this point in his career and in his current situation with the Giants would be keep your head down, keep working on the items among the first six which are within your control and be yourself.

Bob

I think a person can be a quiet warrior toward themselves however people generallt like positive affirmation or a lift up when they fail.

Scenario 1 - Hyatt drops a 30 yard pass when he's wide open.  He comes back to huddle and DJ calls another long pass to him.  Nothing said.


Scenario 2 - Hyatt drops a 30 yard pass
And goes back to huddle.  DJ says to him, "got that out of your system" then looks Hyatt in the face and says "I'm going right back to you and I know you're getting us 6."

Nothing wrong with Scenario 1.  Scenario 2 DJ makes a joke about the drop to defuse the awkwardness or embarrassment then shows the QB's confidence to say "I believe in you and you're going to succeed on this next one."

Which DJ does Hyatt prefer — the one in Scenario 1 or 2?

[Bob In PA]

Phil: I think both are ok.

The first one I like better, however, because IMO nothing needs to be said in the NFL (playing for money, etc.)

In college or high school, it helps to give a kid some encouragement, because most of them are out there truly because they love the game... so few ever play on Sundays.

Bob

[Philosophers]

Phil: I think both are ok.

The first one I like better, however, because IMO nothing needs to be said in the NFL (playing for money, etc.)

In college or high school, it helps to give a kid some encouragement, because most of them are out there truly because they love the game... so few ever play on Sundays.

Bob

Nothing wrong with 1.  Just believe strongly you bring people together with 2.  Even though they are well paid, they still want verbal affirmation.