[CBFF] Muscle Memory and True Instinct

[Dwayne]

Tom,
Is it not Turners job, to recognize what the defense is doing, and play call
accordingly?

(Not giving, ot taking credit from Rex)
D
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Shannon" <tshanno at gmail.com>
To: <post at chicagobearsfanforum.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 2:51 PM
Subject: [CBFF] Muscle Memory and True Instinct


> 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.
>
>
>
>
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