Accuracy under pressure
There may be no more telltale sign of a franchise quarterback that how he throws when under pressure. Most see a considerable dip in their ability to place the ball properly. Many tend to turn it over with interception. Very few are able to maintain a degree of accuracy when defenders are in their face or actually hitting them. Rodgers offered a prime example in this game against Jacksonville.
He tries to escape the pressure but the Jaguars seem to have him in their grasp. At the last second Rodgers gets the pass off. Not only does he manage to put velocity on it without stepping up, but he actually places the ball only where his receiver could get it.
On this play Trubisky shows the patience to wait for an open man. He scrambles to his right, keeping the play alive. Soon though the Stanford defensive end, Solomon Thomas, forces him to stop. Sensing the pressure from the back, he has to make a decision. Take the sack or risk a pass into tight coverage. He goes for the latter, firing a flat-footed 40-yard pass in between three defensive backs to his receiver for a huge conversion.
There are certain traits in a quarterback that are unteachable. Being able to throw bulls eyes like that while getting hit by bigger, heavier men is one of them.
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