Coach ,

As I watched a pre season game last night I saw a stark contrast between the Cleveland Browns operations at QB vs. what I saw a couple of seasons ago.

Though these both were backups they did an excellent job of escaping pressure by movements that were up into the pocket instead of scrambling toward the sideline.  Teaching quarterbacks to do this - have an escaped plan - is something that makes an offense more difficult to defend than running toward the sideline and cutting down the field space.

In the early season, timing may not be precise early causing “coverage sacks,” or protection can be a work-in-progress.  With those two thoughts in mind, having and practice escapes with the quarterback can provide your offense with the ability to move the chains even when there are breakdowns in timing or protection.

Jake Peetz, Offensive Assistant for the LA Rams practices the escape often.  Here is a simple pocket presence drill you can do everyday (click on image for video):

Video: Pocket Presence Drill

Video: Pocket Presence Game Film

Texas coaching legend Todd Dodge has trained many championship quarterbacks, and teaching them to keep their eyes down field while moving is a key aspect of their skill set. 

Video: Pocket Presence

While the skill may seem simple, a quarterback needs the drill work and repetitions to become effective at it. These are just two examples of what you can do to make your QB more effective as either protection, pressure, or good coverage force him to move.

Good luck as you kick the season off!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski