NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Dan Fouts didn’t play well at the start of his NFL career.
What was going on around him didn’t help.
Through his first four seasons with the San Diego Chargers, he had three different head coaches and three offensive coordinators. Each OC brought his own system and players he liked for his scheme. The only constant for Fouts was change, which showed in how he played. In 1976, his fourth season, he completed just 57.9% of his passes for 181.1 yards per game, 14 touchdowns and a 75.4 passer rating — all of which marked his career-highs to that point.
Bill Walsh was his offensive coordinator that fourth year, and Fouts credits the Hall of Fame coach with rebuilding his game and giving him a sense that he could play in the NFL. But the QB’s career didn’t really take off until 1978, when Don Coryell took over as head coach following the Chargers’ 1-3 start under Tommy Prothro, who resigned.
In the pass-heavy “Air Coryell” scheme, with a roster that had gradually improved over the years, Fouts evolved from a struggling quarterback into one of the best players at his position.
He led the NFL in passing yards four straight seasons beginning in 1979, Coryell’s first full year as coach. Fouts became a six-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Dan Fouts’ Hall of Fame career took off when Don Coryell (center) brought his pass-heavy scheme to the Chargers. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
“I don’t think there are any bad quarterbacks [in the NFL],” Fouts told FOX Sports. “It’s just that some guys haven’t been fortunate enough to get into a system surrounded by players, talented players. So that’s a big part of it.”
Fouts’ career trajectory is a testament to the impact of the situation — franchise culture, coaching and personnel, among others — on the success of NFL quarterbacks. We see numerous examples today.
Former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, whose career with the Cleveland Browns fell off…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/how-team-environment-play-significant-roles-nfl-quarterback-development
Author :
Publish date : 2024-11-14 16:56:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
