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A 63-year-old former fifth-round draft choice out of Eastern Illinois has figured out modern quarterback play. Jeff Christensen, a self-described “old gray-haired grizzly bear,” is too modest to tell you that. But it is hard to understate his impact — as well as the grizzly bear’s gray hair.
Christensen was part of the epic 1983 quarterback class that included John Elway and Dan Marino. He was the seventh quarterback taken in that NFL Draft at 137th overall, 110 spots after Marino.
For posterity’s sake, he is Patrick Mahomes’ throwing coach.
As the founder and head quarterback coach of Throw it Deep, a Texas-based quarterback and receiver academy, Christensen has inside knowledge of the Mahomes Effect. He has been with the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback working on form, function and, well, fun since Mahomes entered the NFL in 2017.
That makes Christensen a witness to the transformative impact Mahomes has had on his position — everything from two-hand touch to the Super Bowl. Simply translated, the Mahomes Effect is the wide acceptance by coaches and players at every level of quarterbacks playing the position like Mahomes: free, wild … even crazy at times.
“You don’t ever want to coach the maverick out of them,” Christensen summarized.
Improvisation — that would have gotten quarterbacks run off the practice field by coaches in the past — is now an accepted part of playing the position. Look around college football. If you can’t throw side arm, throw no-look or throw a wrench in the opposition’s plans with a split-second decision, you are not of this era.
“When the play breaks down, the play has just begun.”
Eli Drinkwitz, Missouri coach
Ask the participants. Bryce Young was arguably the best player in Alabama history because of ability to create plays. Now with the Carolina Panthers, Young became only the second Alabama quarterback…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/how-patrick-mahomes-free-wheeling-fun-style-is-influencing-quarterbacks-offenses-in-college-and-beyond/
Author : Dennis Dodd
Publish date : 2023-11-15 19:10:58
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