Chris Johnston from Complete QB has been a frequent guest on GAMETIME over the past two seasons (you can hear him during hour 2 of yesterday’s podcast). Coach Johnston is the Founder and Director of Complete QB, a Quarterback Development Program that provides High School and Youth Quarterbacks with a high level of instruction – in a Quarterbacks-only environment. Complete QB’s focus is upon the development of sound mechanics; identification and improvement of areas of weakness; the importance of vision; footwork as an integral part of Quarterback play; and the need for consistent preparation.
Besides his involvement at Complete QB, Coach Johnston is the Quarterbacks Coach and Passing Game Coordinator at Hudson Catholic High School in Jersey City , NJ. Previously, Coach Johnston served as the Defensive Coordinator, Asst. Head Coach, and Quarterbacks Coach at Xavier High School in New York City. Coach Johnston has developed a solid reputation among his coaching peers for his ability to develop Quarterbacks. You can learn more about Coach Johnston and Complete QB at www.completeqb.com.
We are happy to announce that Coach Johnston will be contributing to our efforts here at 24×7 and we’re sure you will enjoy his first piece today, in which he shares a coach’s perspective on some of the collegiate quarterbacks preparing to take the next step up to the NFL. ~ Tony Lombardi
TOP FIVE
1. Jay Cutler – Vanderbilt
Ht: 6’3”
Wt: 226
Complete QB PPI Rating: 85.24
Ideal NFL Situation: Green Bay Packers
What Complete QB Likes About Him: Good size/ Arm strength is clearly NFL-caliber, as Cutler is capable of every type of intermediate and deep throw/ He tends to take a gunslinger’s approach to the position, which allows him to fit balls into small spaces while under defensive pressure/pass rush/ Perceived as a gutsy performer/leader with much resolve, as he worked through a difficult early career before leading somewhat of a resurgence for the Commodore program/ In addition to an overall solid showing at the Combine, Cutler was particularly impressive in posting 23 reps at the optional bench press testing/ Has shown tremendous durability, posting 31 TD-14 INT during ’04 & ’05, while at the same time absorbing 47 sacks/ Quickness of release has improved over time/ Arm strength makes up for mechanical inconsistency in most instances/
What Complete QB Does Not Like: The fact that Cutler possesses outstanding arm strength sometimes results in him taking chances on throws – something that likely will mean rough early days if he is forced to step in and play right away in the NFL/ There are times when the strength and velocity with which Cutler throws the football are achieved at the expense of accuracy/ Mechanics are not always consistent – specifically Cutler’s transfer of weight from back-to-front (he does not always do it) directly correlates to his accuracy/ Too little offensive production (only 6/65 YPA in 2005) from such a gifted Quarterback (although this may be attributable to Vandy having few weapons beyond Cutler).
What Might Happen: New Orleans Head Coach Sean Payton is the man who holds the key to this year’s draft/ If the talk being heard is true, Payton may surprise all and make Cutler a Saint/ If not, and if the Titans believe they can live with a Steve McNair-Billy Volek depth chart, Cutler may end up a Jet.
2. Matt Leinart – Southern California
Ht: 6’5”
Wt: 223
Complete QB PPI Rating: 84.18
Ideal NFL Situation: Tennessee Titans
What Complete QB Likes About Him: Prototypical NFL Quarterback height and build/ Leinart combines consistent mechanics/footwork with accurate placement of balls/ The world learned what was needed to know about Leinart’s competitiveness and ability to lead during the final moments of huge road victory vs/ Notre Dame in 2005/ Moves through read progressions nicely when in the pocket/ Accurate passer/ Good decision-maker/ A consistent winner who has performed well in big spots.
What Complete QB Does Not Like: Arm strength is not extraordinary/ We have yet to see Leinart work through the long days of a losing season – something he will almost certainly experience during his first season(s) in the NFL/ Left-handed Quarterbacks can affect both play design and receivers’ adjustment to thrown balls, although it did not appear to limit Leinart or Southern Cal.
What Might Happen: The chances of Leinart getting to his ideal destination – reunited with former Southern Cal and current Titans Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow in Tennessee – appear slim/ It is likely Leinart will be a Saint, barring an unexpected move by the Saints to trade out of the 2 spot OR an interesting scenario in which Cutler is the first Quarterback taken – by the Saints – and Leinart is selected by the Jets as the heir to a fragile Chad Pennington/ A lefty in the swirling winds of East Rutherford??? Not a beautiful marriage.
3. D.J. Shockley – Georgia
Ht: 6’1”
Wt: 214
Complete QB PPI Rating: 83.14
Ideal NFL Situation: Oakland Raiders
What Complete QB Likes About Him: Managed to compile a 24 TD-5 INT campaign in 2005, despite facing five of the top 30 Pass Defenses in the nation during the year (he missed the Florida game due to injury)/ Ability to escape from pocket – possesses great speed and quickness/ Led UGA to 10-2 record in games in which he played during senior season.
What Complete QB Does Not Like: There appear to be no Quarterbacks beyond the first two (Cutler and Leinart) that are even near “NFL-ready”, so Shockley is not alone in needing to develop significantly as a signal caller/ Mechanics are sometimes suspect/ Shockley spent only one season – 2005 – as a full-time collegiate starter; the results are encouraging, but still a brief body of work.
What Might Happen: Shockley will likely not be a first or second round selection/ Quarterback seems to be the position Shockley is dedicated to, but there remains the chance an NFL team could ask him to perform as a “utility” man, a la the Seahawks’ Seneca Wallace.
4. Vince Young – Texas
Ht: 6’4”
Wt: 229
Complete QB PPI Rating: 82.93
Ideal NFL Situation: Tennessee Titans or Oakland Raiders
What Complete QB Likes About Him: Young helps create and comes from a winning environment and mentality/ Has maintained composure, despite intense focus on his ability to lead and perform at the NFL level (see: Wonderlic fiasco)/ Young seems to always “find a way” to produce offensive yardage and points/ Tremendous athletic ability/ Size should translate to durability, barring catastrophic injuries/ Superior arm strength.
What Complete QB Does Not Like: Like Leinart, Young’s everyday experience has come at the very highest levels of team success in college football/ The NFL will certainly be a different story as his career begins – if he is chosen near the top of Round 1/ Although Young produces impressive total offense numbers, there are more times than not that his passing mechanics are a cause for concern/ Young’s Pro Day workout in Austin created more questions than answers/ Typically spent all offensive snaps in shotgun – something that will not happen in the NFL/ Will not have the opportunity to run a zone read option – one of his strengths – in the NFL.
What Might Happen: Someone will select Young during Round 1, but likely not any higher than Oakland at #7/ But, if Young is asked to step in and play for an NFL team right away, two things will happen: 1/ That team will experience significant growing pains at the Quarterback position (like many teams with rookie Quarterbacks) 2/ Young’s development will be severely hampered, with possible long-term effects/ The elements of Young’s game that need work will be best achieved behind a proven veteran who can help bring Young along (i/e, McNair in Tennessee or the newly signed Aaron Brooks in Oakland).
5. Brodie Croyle – Alabama
Ht: 6’2”
Wt: 205
Complete QB PPI Rating: 81.56
Ideal NFL Situation: Detroit Lions
What Complete QB Likes About Him: Bounced back from a torn ACL in 2004 to lead the Crimson Tide to a 10-2 record during his senior season/ Completed 60% of his passes in 2005, despite facing seven of the top 39 Pass Defenses in the nation/ This is a notable achievement, considering Alabama’s dreadful pass protection allowed Croyle to be sacked on more than 10% of his pass attempts (36 sacks on 339 pass attempts)/ Mechanically fluid with footwork and delivery/ Solid arm strength/ Croyle takes care of the football accurately – at one point in 2005, he went 190 pass attempts without an interception/ Reasonable quickness/escapability, but first instinct is to stay in pocket.
What Complete QB Does Not Like: Needs to continue in development – 2005 was first full season in which Croyle posted a favorable TD-INT ratio/ Adding more muscle weight would be beneficial, as current 6’3” height at 205 pounds makes him a candidate for physical breakdowns in the grind of the NFL/ Quickness of both decision-making and release can improve, as a portion of the 36 sacks Croyle endured as a senior, despite obviously poor pass protection, could have been avoided.
What Might Happen: Croyle will likely not be selected on the first day of the draft/ Detroit would be an ideal spot for him to develop, behind two veterans (John Kitna and Josh McCown) and a creative offensive mind in Mike Martz.
SECOND FIVE:
Bruce Gradkowski – Toledo
Good decision-maker who performed well at the Scouting Combine. A clear leader for the Rockets, and the emergence and improvement of the Toledo program had much to do with his presence. Should, at the very least, develop into a dependable NFL backup/spot starter.
Omar Jacobs – Bowling Green
This early entry posted 71 TDs with only 11 INTs in three years of MAC play, despite passing mechanics that need much work. Can be spectacular at times, but it seems a very questionable decision to leave college a year early, given the development he still needs. May surprise and eventually be an NFL starter.
Drew Olson – UCLA
Olson developed in every conceivable area of his game, including efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making, over the course of four years. Impressive senior season was helped in no small part by the emergence of Maurice Drew and the UCLA rushing game. Likely a dependable NFL backup.
Kellen Clemens – Oregon
A steadily improving performer for the Ducks, Clemens is sometimes criticized for lack of a big-time arm, but his mechanics are mostly sound, and he places the ball well on most throws. A good fit as a long-term role player in someone’s West Coast-style offense.
Paul Pinegar – Fresno State
Fresno State Head Coach Pat Hill takes on all comers, and his Quarterback is no different. Heavily relied upon during his senior season, Pinegar posted the best season of his career, while making his share of decision-making mistakes along the way. With the chance to develop as a second-string NFL Quarterback, he could be special.
