Quarterbacks are the most valid player in football and perhaps in sports. The ways that they must use their brain to think in all of these ways is extraordinary. Then they must have the physical strength to make an accurate throw for the first down or touchdown. They must be thinking of many things at all time on the field. One might be that they need to know the playbook better than any other player which also means on pass plays they need to know the blocking scheme, where the receivers are and if there is nobody open where to go with the ball. In many eyes being a backup quarterback is almost just as hard as being a starting quarterback.
Although they do not play as much as the starting quarterback they must be ready throughout the entire game in case the starter gets injured in which then he must leave the game. When he leaves the game he must know what will happen in a pressure packed situation. Then be good enough to make the plays. In recent weeks of the NFL there have been several different quarterback’s stepping up and making plays. One being two weeks ago when Aaron Rodger’s had a concussion the week before versus the Detroit Lion’s so matt Flynn had to step in and boy did he have the game of his life against the top team which was from New England named the Patriot’s. The Packer’s lost that game by three but if it wasn’t for the stellar performance by Matt Flynn the Packer’s may have lost by a lot more.
In the book Second Stringer Kevin learns that because Rob, the star quarterback got hurt Kevin needs to take control of the game and season but he is kind of shy cause he doesn’t have his teammates on his back. When you are playing a crucial position such as quarterback you must have all of your teammates on your back. Otherwise you cannot do your job to the fullest. That would be like 1 cat versus 11 mean dogs since you are pretty much alone versus the other team who wants to hit you hard and to win in that scenario would almost be impossible. But for Kevin all that mattered was that his coach was behind him then he was ok. After that Kevin won the championship for his team and league MVP.
It is also like how last season Donovan McNabb of the Eagle’s now with the Redskin’s got hurt and Kevin Kolb the Eagle’s backup got his chance and made the most of his one opportunity. He did by passing for 400 yards per game and leading his team to two crucial wins in the playoff race. Having a reliable backup is key to having a good team. Even though he may not play as much he is a viable force if the starter gets hurt since the team must trust his abilities and he must trust his team’s abilities.
Playing for a whole game is a little easier because you are able to prepare the whole week of practice. Also the QB is able to warm up properly and possibly he is able to get into a groove and make multiple good throws in a row, where as when he would come into the game on the fly he may still not be warmed up. That happened for the Seahawk’s last week since Matt Hasselback had a hip strain so Charlie Whitehurst had to play for the chance to play in the playoffs. He played the whole weeks practices which helped him out in the game even though he has played with the first string guys on the field he may have never practiced the play’s with them because the starter would be but getting a feel for what your wide receivers are going to do.
Lastly one of the better showings in recent weeks was Joe Webb of the Minnesota Viking’s who took the Viking’s to Philadelphia and went on a terror. Sometimes when the quarterback plays well the defense takes that momentum onto the field; that is exactly what they did. He led the team to the 24 to 14 win over the number 2 seed, Eagle’s, and the defense played their best game of the season. Joe went 17 for 26, 195 yards passing and a rushing touchdown. That could possibly be why the defense was good. Since the offense can change the momentum and affect how the defense plays and vice versa.
Being a quarterback is one of the hardest positions to play even if you are the backup and it even may be harder. To use your brain in that many ways at a time is extraordinary even for an athlete of this type of caliber. These are just a couple of reasons ESPN has named 2011 the year of the quarterback to honor these fine athletes.
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