Why Martz is Martz

by David Fucillo on Jul 28, 2008 1:37 PM PDT in Training Camp

Matt Maiocco and Matt Barrows have done an excellent job of covering the 49ers first few days of training camp and today was no different from MM.

Apparently Smith struggled out of the gate this morning in practice overthrowing several receivers. Mike Martz told him to remember to bend his knees a little more when passing. When Smith returned to the practice field after Hill took his reps, the difference was immediate:

Smith completed his final 10 passes of practice, including two beautiful throws to split end Bryant Johnson. One was a deep out in which he squeezed the ball into Johnson at the sideline despite good coverage from Nate Clements. Another notable pass was a 24-yard TD strike to Johnson against the coverage of Shawntae Spencer and Mark Roman.

"He (Martz) sees so much stuff," Smith said. "He sees the body and the feet. Today, he mentioned that about my knee bend. You never want to stand straight up, but as a quarterback you're not always thinking about your knee bend. When he mentioned that, I just wanted to get back there and play catch."

I recall Martz working with the Senior Bowl QBs and drilling the necessary mechanics into their heads over and over again. I'd love to hear a scout's take on Alex Smith before Martz arrived to see if mechanics were an issue (aside from small hands of course!).

Another interesting point relates back to the Urban Meyer interview after Smith was drafted:

Smith said he's received some coaching on technique in the past with the 49ers, but nothing compared to what he's getting from Martz this year.

Like Smith has said, Martz leaves nothing to chance. In learning the offense, one thing that struck Smith is that there is little gray area in the playbook. As Smith said, Martz supplies all the answers in his offensive scheme.

The same can be said for a quarterback's mechanics. His reminders to Smith this morning proved immediate dividends.

It's only been one day of practice in pads, but I have to admit, I'm gaining optimism as training camp wears on. I know this will probably come back and bite me in the ass but training camp is where we're supposed to have optimism.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

This actually makes me somewhat more critical of Hostler. I was always critical of his play-calling, but I also always gave him the benefit of the doubt as a quarterbacks coach. After all, he was the guy with the job when Smith improved so much the year before…

But this sounds like the kind of thing that’s never really been addressed from a coaching standpoint. I mean, if Smith himself admits that he’s never gotten this kind of attention… and all we’re talking about is something as minor as a knee-bend… well then, yeesh.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 28, 2008 2:28 PM PDT reply actions

If mechanics are the major problem, then there should be a focus on that during the preseason. Because if Alex can take mechanics + system to a level of play at least above ‘06, this team should be in okay shape.

http://mymindgrapes.wordpress.com

by 408 on Jul 28, 2008 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I think there’s a fairly good chance that Smith’s mechanics – if they were ever especially sound to begin with – got really screwed up last season when he was playing injured, and an even better chance that he’s only been able to work on them since that time very recently.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 28, 2008 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Martz on the offense

MM has a new post up with a variety of comments from Martz about the offense. In relation to Smith’s mechanics:

-Martz talked to Smith, reminding him to bend his knees after some early passes missed. Here’s what Martz had to say about that: “He gets stiff-legged sometimes and he’s not quick with the ball. I think he thought the receiver was going to do something. We’re still trying to get on the same page with some of those things.”

Niners Nation - The premier 49ers blog on the Internet!

by David Fucillo on Jul 28, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

“I’d love to hear a scout’s take on Alex Smith before Martz arrived to see if mechanics were an issue”

Last season on national TV we actually got an assessment from one of the best QB scouts I know of - Ron Jaworski, on the MNF broadcast in Seattle. Jaws broke down what he thought was Smith’s glaring mechanical flaw - the exact thing being talked about here: not bending his front knee, therefore causing it to lock, thus “closing off” his front side and causing balls to sail high. I’m glad Martz has Smith finally addressing this problem.

"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Jul 29, 2008 12:21 AM PDT reply actions

AS a quarterback...

I know everything it takes to make a successful throw:

1. Exact drop back for each type of pass

2. Quick release of the ball

3. Bend the friggin’ knee

4. Don’t lock eyes with receiver every single time you throw the ball, because the defense will read your eyes and tighten the coverage

5. Follow to the tee what the play calls for, or you will screw everyone else up

6. Never hesitate as a quarterback, you are at the helm and the leader, react the way the play is designed to make you react

7. If you are a good practice quarterback, translate that to game day heroics

8. Never have either a STIFF LEG or a STIFF NECK, if you get the drift

9. LEARN 100% of Martz’s offense and understand it 100%, too..or you are not going to do diddly-squat!!!!!!!!!

10. Listen, I say again, always listen to Martz. He is a quarterback guru, so you better listen to that man…Tollner is good for it, too. Listen to them.

Have fun Alex Smith, or whoever listens and understands Mike Martz!!

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Jul 29, 2008 1:59 AM PDT reply actions