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Where's the Pump Fake?
Brett Favre played in this league for 20
years & in doing so there were some similarities with Sam Bradford ... and
numerous differences. Both quarterbacks were relatively immobile in that
they could secure downfield yardage with their feet but it would never be their
first choice. Of course Favre had several bullets in his gun that he used
effectively that has eluded Sam Bradford. In short, with Favre there was
never a wasted motion where everything had its purpose. In retrospect,
much of Sam Bradford's pocket presents could be compared to a minga mort
(literal translation: a dead penis).
Now think back to the days of Favre and recall his handoffs followed by a fake
toss or fake throw in the opposite direction to the run. Although you
could say that it had little effect if faking anyone out, his motions might have
bought a fraction of a second for one of his lineman to gain position on a run
block.
Favre was also the master of sidestepping the rush. How often did we see
Favre side-shuffle his feet for a yard or two to buy his lineman possible
leverage or much needed space to avoid the sack. By comparison, how often
have we seen Sam Bradford collapse before the on-coming rush with either little
or no attempt in trying to avoid it. Sure this might be a losing
proposition but Favre might turn one or more of these situations into positive
outcomes. In short, giving up may not be the right message for an
offensive line that's desperately searching for the slightest of
advantages.
One of the most effective bullets in Favre's gun ... by far ... was that pump
fake. It not only got the corners to bite on the first move, leaving that
downfield explosion as a possibility, it made defensive linemen react to
it. These defenders would leave their feet thinking they were taking away
either the slant or a quick hitter. Once that D-linemen left their feet,
or straightened up to get their hands high, their center of gravity changed,
giving the advantage to the offensive linemen ... assisting the blocking
scheme. Too often, Sam Bradford is way to predictable where defensive
linemen are establishing a quick leverage position on our offensive linemen,
facilitating power strokes to collapse the pocket, where these defensive lineman
know that their is no fake pump to even consider. This has put our
offensive line at a considerable disadvantage. As always, it is these
things that make up the game within the game.
There is a definite difference between a listless quarterback and a giddy
Favre. Even when he was serious ... he was a gosh-darn-clown. There
seemed to be a tempo in his step ... that if he lost it ... he lost the
game. It may not be in Sam Bradford's makeup to evolve into THE KID where
he might not understand the importance of it but it's an attempt that holds
merit in gaining leverage for his offensive line. It a missing element
which could lead to victory. Football has always been a game of inches ...
and the difference between winners and losers lies on the margin.
Maybe Teddy will never be a down the field accurate thrower like Sam Bradford
was earlier in the year however it is clear that maybe that isn't as important
as we once thought. Let us not forget that on a long throw the receiver
gets to adjust to the throw which could make a bad throw into a good one.
What is obviously clear is that Teddy, although still raw, had the ability of
broken-field-running ... making something out of nothing. There was a
dynamic spirit in that pocket that just isn't there with Sam Bradford where it
is my hope that it has a chance to change in time. If things don't change
in a hurry, based upon the numbers ($$$), thing will most certainly change in
that back field.
Unfortunately ... it will never make
a difference because no one will ever read any of it.
The Viking Ghost Writer
http://MyVikingBlood.org
Date: November 16, 2016
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