Brady Accurate, and Strong Too

I think it’s safe to say Brady played well in his first start last week. He played efficient, with few mistakes, and was able to move the ball down the field on several scoring drives.

Of course, the “knock” on him is that he doesn't have the arm strength to throw the ball down field, and that is why he threw so many short, safe passes. For more than a year now, critics have been saying he “doesn’t have the arm strength.”

Umm, WTF are they talking about? I’ve been watching Brady since his freshman year at Notre Dame … there’s nothing at all wrong with his arm strength.

In fact, here’s what some of the leading football scouting websites were saying about him leading up to the 2007 NFL Draft:

Brady Quinn is the prototypical pocket passer. He has great size, along with the strength and willingness to sit in the pocket and deliver a strike. He has very good arm strength, and can make all the throws on the field. His accuracy has continued to improve every year, and he is on target on everything under 20 yards. Quinn is also a good athlete for a pocket passer, and he knows how to elude the rush and get the throw off. He also shows the ability to remain calm under pressure. -- www.footballsfuture.com

Demonstrates a strong arm that allows him to deliver the long ball with touch and accuracy … Quick in his pass set up and is generally in position to make all of his throws … Has very good command in the huddle and makes good decisions with the ball, rarely forcing the action in attempts to create something out of nothing … Has the ability to put the ball where the receiver can catch it and shows good balance throwing on the move. -- www.sportsline.com

Possessing the size, arm strength and intangibles to be a starter at the next level, Quinn is an incredibly productive college quarterback who translates well to the next level. – www.scout.com

Quinn has good mechanics and understands the game well after being tutored by Charlie Weis. He is accustomed to being in the spotlight and is a solid team leader. He has progressed well over the last two years and should continue to improve. He has adequate arm strength and can make all of the necessary throws … He has a good blend of size, intelligence, and arm strength to succeed in the NFL. -- www.warroomreport.com

So, what happened? How did Brady go from having “a strong arm that allows him to deliver the long ball with touch and accuracy,” to having “suspect arm strength” now? The answer, of course, is nothing. Nothing is wrong with Brady’s arm strength.

Perhaps the skepticism with his arm strength arose because of the unfair comparison to DA’s cannon. Yes, DA has a strong arm and can heave that ball with reckless abandon down the field at great distances. What else does he have? Knowledge? No. Accuracy? Nope. Leadership? No, again.

As Charlie Weis, Brady’s former coach at Notre Dame has said: "Accuracy is the answer to arm strength. I've had arguments, vehement arguments, with NFL people questioning Brady's accuracy. He can read coverages. What's the sense of having good arm strength if you can't hit the open receivers?"

You see, arm strength is all DA has. Brady, on the other hand, has it all - including, a strong arm that can throw the ball down field when necessary. You don’t always need that though.

A smart QB takes what the defense gives him. When defenses take away the short passes, Brady will go long. And then, watch out!