This
past week, we discussed what it means to have the “idea sports body”. It was largely determined that not only
the sport, but also the gender of the athlete along with the position an
athlete plays should play a role in determining an acceptable body type. Following the Washington Redskins vs.
Pittsburgh Steelers game on October 28 (a 27-12 PIT win) ESPN radio personality
Colin Cowherd, who is also a co-host on the show SportsNation, criticized the
body type of Redskin quarterback Robert Griffin III on his show, The Herd. Cowherd suggested that RGIII
would not last long in the league given his slender, cut build and tendency to
be a running quarterback. He
claimed that players such as Brett Favre, Jay Cutler, Ben Roethlisberger, and
Matthew Stafford have “ideal” bodies for NFL quarterbacks as, “In the NFL, you WANT your QB to have a little pudding in the
middle” (Cowherd, 29 October 2012, The
Herd: ESPN). Cowherd argued that these bigger bodied
quarterbacks are able to absorb big hits to a better degree than a quarterback
who would be said to have “all muscle”, giving the example that “2 years ago Peyton had a nice little “pouch” and it didn't
hinder him (I don't if it protected him any though either)”. He used the statistic that the average
NFL QB has a body fat percentage of around 14-15 (with deviations of +/- 9%).
While he explained that there is a difference between appearing a bit “pudgy”
such as Roethlisberger and Stafford do and eating yourself out of the league
like in the case of Jamarcus Russell, Cowherd still argued that carrying a
little bit of extra weight is better than having the body of a lean, cut track
star like in the case of RGIII, Michael Vick, or even Jake Locker (he used and
explained this example to prove his point had nothing to do with race). While there is no scientific reasoning
or evidence that can back up this theory of the Pillsbury Doughboy NFL QB (as
Roethlisberger, Stafford, Vick, and Locker have all battled injury), Colin
Cowherd’s argument is an interesting take on the ideal sports body. While NFL fans generally conjure up an
image of teams having a strong, imposing, fit quarterback, maybe an extra trip
to the buffet line or a late night snack once in a while for an NFL quarterback
isn’t the worst thing in the world in the long run.
Aaron,
ReplyDeleteI believe each and every one of these quarterbacks body types match their athleticism and style of play. For example, yesterday's game during vs. the Minnesota Vikings, the announcers emphasized the fact that Matthew Stafford athleticism is often forgotten after running a few yards then connected with wide receiver, Calvin Johnson for the first down. He’s reputation throughout the league is he is a throwing quarterback based on his performance the last few years in the NFL and because rarely do we see Stafford run for major yards in the game. Big plays like this, we see first hand how athletic Stafford really is and not it being just based off the physical image. In comparison to RGIII, where you never know what he will do every time he touches the ball. Both these quarterbacks are seen as athletes but are seen in a different light based of their on the field performances from week to week. If I was a coach for an NFL, I would rather have a starting quarterback that is “pudgy” compared to a thin, lean quarterback. I would choose the so-called “pudgy” quarterback because I feel as a quarterback you constantly are taking hits from guys, almost in some circumstances, a hundred pounds more than you. I would rather have a guy that has a little extra meat on his bones to protect him and can take more of these hard hits throughout the season. Quarterbacks take constant criticism for their bodies but I think before we judge their physical appearance, we should look at what they do on the field instead. Actions always speak louder than any words.
-Chelsea VanAssche
I would have to agree with Chelsea that the quarterback’s body type matches their athleticism. However, in some cases such as Roethlisberger and Stafford who are underrated in their athleticism, have bigger physiques. There are definitely exceptions such as Tom Brady who is considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time and is limited in his athleticism. He is also very lean, but it shows that he has the talent and smarts that make him great at his position. He also has been durable for the Patriots starting every game since 2002 except for the 2008 season where he suffered a knee injury, which hasn’t affected him since coming back. Bigger quarterbacks do have an advantage when taking big hits and having more weight to sustain the hit but I wouldn’t determine that as a factor to be a starting quarterback. Athletic quarterbacks are commodity in the NFL because they have the threat of running the ball and that is a weapon coach’s like to possess when choosing a quarterback. I believe that the body type doesn’t matter as much and to agree with Chelsea again, it only matters what the player is producing on the field.
ReplyDeleteRyan Viselli
This topic is such a tricky one to talk about. I personally believe it doesn't matter what the Quarterbacks body type is like, unless you are Jamarcus Russel who literally did gain too much weight to play. When these NFL teams come together before draft day, and review film for hours upon hours you don't think they look at the QB's body type? For instance, when you look at Andrew Luck, he is a bigger kid so probably will be a pocket passer who can scramble a bit. You look at RGIII you know he is going to use his legs whenever he gets the chance. These coaches know what these players are capable of doing, and what they are getting when they look at them on film. Look, these are professional athletes who are deemed the best in football. They play at the highest level you can play at in the world. There is no ideal Quarterback body type. Each player is different, and each team plays differently to accommodate for them. Look at the greats of the NFL, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Dan Marino, Steve Young. They all differ in stature, Drew Brees barely being 6'0". These players were in the league, and still are in the league and have all had Hall of Fame careers. It doesn't matter the body type, but what each team can do to make sure that Quarterback has the most success on the field.
ReplyDeletePatrick McFall
Aaron,
ReplyDeleteI also have to agree with Chelsea and i think that the body fat percentage also had to deal with the athletes athletism. I mean as said in one of the other comments look at Tom Brady he may be slim but he is also considered one of the best players in the league and one of the best at his position. When you look at RGIII if you watched him in college you know that he is goin to use his legs whenever he get a chance and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. So i think think it really comes down to there athletism more than it does the way thye look.
Tyler Clifton
I believe it depends on the person and their pain tolerance. Some people are simply able to take harder impacts than others and still be able to get up. You could also argue that it is harder for Stafford and Cuttler and those other guys to get out of the pocket away from the big hits there. Sure the hits the RGIII take are big because he is moving at a high rate of speed when he takes them usually but it also gives him the ability to avoid the big ones in the pocket. There is a lot of give an take to the argument but it is a very interesting one none the less.
ReplyDeleteMike Frank
I can definitely see where this is coming from but I don't think that you can say that for sure. Being mobile will allow you to escape a lot of hits coming but also as a running quarterback will run you into more trouble down the field. Peyton Manning and Ben Roethisburger do have much bigger frames but have had their fair share of injuries. Peyton Manning missed a whole year due to neck injuries and when isn't Big Ben hurt. I won't say that he's wrong but it's just so hard to tell what will happen. I think teaching him to get out of bounds and start to slide towards the end of runs will help him stay out of trouble so that his frame is not an issue.
ReplyDeleteMatt Pitzulo
Here is the thing, quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Doug Flutie were said to be too short. Tom Brady was to slow, and other quarterbacks didn’t have arm strength and things of that nature. I find it interesting to hear Colin Cowherd say that RG3 would not make it because he is to slender, but I get what he is saying about if you have a little meat on your bones it helps take hits. But also depends on what kind of team you play for, is your offensive line any good? Do you take a lot of hits? RG3 can run better than most quarterbacks but if he is smart about the kind of hits he takes it could curve this so called disadvantage of not being a bigger QB. There are examples all over the place of guys who were taller, bigger, stronger who could not make it in the NFL (Ryan Leaf, Tim Couch). So playing QB in the NFL has a lot to do with if you can play the position and how mentally tough you are as a person and player. Because Stafford and Big Ben are known for being hurt a lot so being a little bit bigger does not always mean you won’t get hurt, football is a violent sport and anyone at any time can go down.
ReplyDeleteDouglas Deprest
The ideal QB body is funny thing, because obviously having the great athleticism and body of an NFL QB doesn't always translate to on the field performance. One glaring point in my mind is Brady Quinn. Brady Quinn, from an athleticism and looks standpoint, is ideal for the NFL and has the physical tools to succeed but cannot put it together on the field. He was known for being a great pocket passer with above average athleticism in college and was selected in the 1st round, and has essentially fallen off ever since that point. Another person I envision as an ideal QB body, before his massive overhaul from the Jets, is Tim Tebow. Although Tebow has done some good things on the field, he really hasn't panned out as a 1st round QB and has already been traded from his original team despite being in great shape and extremely athletic.
ReplyDeleteJoey Durant