[CBFF] Muscle Memory and True Instinct

[Tom Shannon]

When Rex Grossman began his first full year as a starting QB in 2006, the
one thing that impressed me the most was his ability to move in the pocket.
Grossman had a gift for stepping up right before the rush got to him and
delivering the ball.  It was something that we hadn't seen in a Bear
quarterback in a long time.  It had been so long that I interpreted it as
something it wasn't - the true instincts of an NFL quarterback.

Unfortunately, like most players in the NFL, opposing coaches eventually
figured Grossman out.  It became common knowledge that if they brought
pressure up the middle and didn't allow him to step up, Grossman would panic
because he wouldn't know what to do.  This single flaw was a large part of
the reason why the latter part of Grossman's season was literally ruined and
the Bears were forced to rely more on a strong defense to win football
games.

To the credit of the Bear coaches, this problem was recognized by them, as
well.  In order to combat it, they brought in Pep Hamilton as the new
quarterback coach.  From the day Hamilton arrived we heard two words over
and over again.  "Muscle memory".  Hamilton planned to drill and drill
Grossman in the lateral movements necessary to avoid that pesky pass rush up
the middle.  This actually worked.  The great thing about "muscle memory" is
that your brains can be in your biceps.  Even before Grossman was benched,
his movement in (and out of) the pocket was noticeably better.  This has
been a valuable area of improvement in a season which has not been as good
to him in other ways.

Unfortunately (again) the NFL does not remain static.  Coaches are
constantly adjusting and Grossman's improvement was duly noted.   Along came
the New York Giants who, having watched the film, adjusted yet again.  Thus
we observe the problem with "muscle memory".  They started bringing the pass
rush from the outside where Grossman, with all that "muscle memory" stuffed
inside his skull, stepped right into it.

Grossman now enters a critical cross roads on Thursday against the
Washington Redskins.  Head coach Joe Gibbs and assistant defensive head
coach Gregg Williams are not dumb.  Even given the funeral shortened week
they're going to know what the Giants did and they're going to do it again.
The question is, can Grossman adjust to the outside rush and, inevitably
when its necessary, adjust back when teams pressure up the middle.  In other
words, will he be able to adjust to the game situation on a play-by-play
basis.

If Grossman can actually do this, I'll consider it to be a tremendously good
sign.  The reason is that it will require a bit more than "memory" with
"muscle".  This will require "thought" with "brain".  It will require the
ability to use a very small part of his brain to sense and move away from
the rush - wherever it is coming from - and at the same time to use the rest
to concentrate on what is going on down field.  In other words, it will
require true instincts that only genuine NFL quarterbacks have.

If the thoughts and responses are there and are quick enough, it may mean
that the Bears have a real quarterback on their hands.  If, on the other
hand, they are not there or if the thoughts occupy too much brain space and
don't allow concentration on other things going on around him, the Bears are
once again starting over at the most important position on the field.