toffee
Well-known member
Dan Marino used this technique, Dan Fouts, John Elway, Kurt Warner too. Why isn't it more popular?
OL has gotten worse over the years and so accustomed to having a QBDan Marino used this technique, Dan Fouts, John Elway, Kurt Warner too. Why isn't it more popular?
Few things.Dan Marino used this technique, Dan Fouts, John Elway, Kurt Warner too. Why isn't it more popular?
Thank you very much for the education. One lives and learns. I never played ball, and honestly, I do not know football. Knowledge sharing intrigues me! Thank you again.Few things.
1. Side-step drop back is better for balance. Less chance of tripping.
2. Backpedaling requires the quarterback to readjust and set their feet at the top of their drop. Side-stepping has the quarterbacks feet set right at the end of their dropback without that extra readjustment.
3. Side stepping speeds up the drop. Allows for much bigger steps than a backpedal. The WCO was all timing. A well-oiled WCO could execute plays in the pitch darkness based on timing. Sidestep drops are more consistent and quicker, allowing for under-center WCOs to operate more effectively.
Some holdovers liked the backpedal even after it went out of vogue though. Coryell and Martz are a couple who preferred the quarterback to be able to see the entire field symmetrically (eliminated the QB "blindside"). I don't think there are any remaining coaches who stand by the backpedal dropback, though.