For several years now, I've tongue-in-cheek referred to what I call the "Chinese Firedrill Effect" when talking about Chad's overall performance. I started out calling it the "Keystone Cops Syndrome," but decided a Chinese firedrill was a more apt description of the goings-on when things become less than perfect for Chad while in the pocket.
In all seriousness, in my mind this is a very important aspect of the QB job. It doesn't trump all else, mind you, but it's an important ingredient. Chad is really smart. He's also probably the best in the NFL at his play-action stuff. And give him some time in the pocket and he'll make those accurate passes that will pick you apart. And he'll even run the ball himself. Leadership is no question, and he's certainly likeable in the locker room. He even has the right sound bites down pat... "Putting the team in the best position to win"... etc., etc.
Almost always, when there's one single criticism of Chad, it's almost invariably the "noodle arm" thing you hear the most. The arm-strength controversy, as if that is paramount. It's not. None of Chad's weaknesses glaringly trump others, but if there's one thing that bothers me more than Chad's mediocre arm strength, it's the Chinese Firedrill that happens when things go wrong. And let's face it, things go wrong sometimes.
It's how a QB handles that... when things collapse around the pocket, that (IMO) separates the really good QBs (winners capable of overcoming this and still making the play or having their wits about them long enough to keep the play from turning into a disaster). The Kansas City opener two years ago is probably as good an example of the Chinese Firedrill Effect as we've seen to date. You saw a brief glimpse of it Friday night.
Now, from what I've seen so far of Clemens, and Lord knows none of us have seen enough of this young man yet to be certain of much, but what I've seen of him so far shows me he doesn't have that panic about him. He seems to be a pretty cool-headed guy under fire. True, he probably still lacks a lot of what Penny brings to the table, but that's the one thing I haven't seen from him. I just wonder if Mangini and Company put the same emphasis on the Chinese Firedrill Effect as I do.
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