If there’s a golden rule for NFL quarterbacks, it’s this: Get them before they get you.
As in, before a quarterback can complete a pass, he has to get rid of the ball before the pressure arrives. Because in the NFL, the pressure is always there.
That makes quick decision-making and a quick release mandatory for NFL QBs. Which brings us to Thursday night’s Broncos-Texans game. The NFL Network, following in the footsteps of other networks and their in-game gadgets, has started measuring the quickest releases in the league.
The network has broken down video of several big-name quarterbacks’ releases, and will show the results during Thursday night’s telecast. Just to drop a couple familiar names, Jay Cutler’s release will be compared to John Elway’s. Dan Marino also was timed, along with Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Brett Favre.
According to NFL network producer Mark Loomis, analyst Cris Collinsworth provided the inspiration for measuring the various QBs’ releases.
“We were talking the first game of the year about quarterbacks’ releases – who was quick and how important that was,” Loomis said. “Then it occurred to us that we could find out a way to measure them by using video tape.”
The results?
“What we’ve found so far is that the top quarterbacks in the league – the Mannings, Bradys and Favres – all seem to have that consistently quick release, and Jay Cutler certainly falls in that range.”
According to Loomis, the best quarterbacks typically take three-tenths to fourth-tenths of a second to throw the ball after their opposite hand leaves the ball. Other quarterbacks may take twice as long, a seemingly minimal difference, but one that could change the outcome of a play.
Said Loomis, “When you see how many balls are tipped and how fast everybody is in this league, it really does make a difference.”
Follow Jim Armstrong’s daily Broncos commentaries on The Jimmy Page at 7 a.m. and noon, and read his columns on Sundays and the day after Broncos games at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
