Austin Davis

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September 28, 2014 at 8:52 pm #8655
InvaderRam
Moderator
and just going back to that rotoworld article. i think ag was the one who originally posted this a long long time ago.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/47036/311/exploring-qb-hand-size

i don’t know if it’s true or not, but the article states that you want three things from a qb in an ideal world. height, hand size, and mobility.

well luck is the prime example of this. in addition to having the intangibles. and being smart. he’s got those three in spades. 6’4″, 10″ hands, elite mobility. he’s the ideal qb. he’s like a freaking robot.

who is the other qb who is regarded as the next elite young qb? russell wilson. he’s got two in spades. hands and mobility.

now i’m not saying that davis is on that level. but i think he’s got two things working in his favor. he’s mobile. and he’s got huge hands. now is this just bogus? possibly. but i have to think those two traits can’t hurt him. and if he’s smart and tough and competitive like russell wilson, i could see a successful qb in the making.
- This reply was modified 9 years, 12 months ago by InvaderRam.
October 1, 2014 at 7:56 pm #8835
InvaderRam
Moderator
davis has got those mutant 10 3/8″ hands…

hahahaha!!!!
- This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by InvaderRam.
- This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by zn.
- This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by zn.
October 1, 2014 at 8:00 pm #8839

zn
Moderator

InvaderRam wrote:

i think it was cuz of gilbert’s puny 9 3/8″ hands.

davis has got those mutant 10 3/8″ hands…

hahahaha!!!!

Okay, hands-man, explain again why large hands are a top asset for a qb. Not everyone has heard about this.

I do know it’s one of the secrets to Russel Wilson’s success.

October 1, 2014 at 8:24 pm #8844
InvaderRam
Moderator
first, here’s the link.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/47036/311/exploring-qb-hand-size

and i got to credit ag for finding this article. or maybe it was someone else. but i think it’s at the very least an interesting hypothesis.

the hypothesis being that a quarterback doesn’t necessarily need elite size to be a good qb. rather large hands are more useful in order to be a successful qb.

the idea behind large hands is that it would allow the qb to better control the ball and throw it accurately. it makes sense. a better grip on the ball would allow the qb to get better spin and make more accurate throws even when he can’t put his entire body or arm into it or the weather conditions make the ball slick. obviously, the latter doesn’t matter as much in a dome.

russell wilson has 10 1/4″ hands. the largest hands included in this article is favre with 10 3/8″ hands. the article also hypothesizes that hand size is an even better predictor of success than height.

davis measured in at the combine at 10 3/8″. i think the largest this year was thomas of virginia tech with 10 7/8″ hands.

obviously, this would only be part of the answer. russell wilson has many other attributes that make him successful. he’s smart, tough, and competitive. his mind probably processes visual information faster than other qbs do. but if davis has the smarts. if he has the competitiveness. if he has the vision. man cuz his physical attributes seem to be optimal for his position.

large hands and agility. interested to see how davis progresses this season.
- This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by InvaderRam.
- This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by zn.
October 1, 2014 at 8:46 pm #8847

InvaderRam
Moderator

it should also be noted that druckenmiller recorded one of the largest hand sizes in recent memory at 11 1/4″. shuler had 10 5/8″ hands. both were flops.

October 1, 2014 at 9:08 pm #8848

zn
Moderator

InvaderRam wrote:

first, here’s the link.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/47036/311/exploring-qb-hand-size

and i got to credit ag for finding this article. or maybe it was someone else. but i think it’s at the very least an interesting hypothesis.

the hypothesis being that a quarterback doesn’t necessarily need elite size to be a good qb. rather large hands are more useful in order to be a successful qb.

the idea behind large hands is that it would allow the qb to better control the ball and throw it accurately. it makes sense. a better grip on the ball would allow the qb to get better spin and make more accurate throws even when he can’t put his entire body or arm into it or the weather conditions make the ball slick. obviously, the latter doesn’t matter as much in a dome.

russell wilson has 10 1/4″ hands. the largest hands included in this article is favre with 10 3/8″ hands. the article also hypothesizes that hand size is an even better predictor of success than height.

davis measured in at the combine at 10 3/8″. i think the largest this year was thomas of virginia tech with 10 7/8″ hands.

obviously, this would only be part of the answer. russell wilson has many other attributes that make him successful. he’s smart, tough, and competitive. his mind probably processes visual information faster than other qbs do. but if davis has the smarts. if he has the competitiveness. if he has the vision. man cuz his physical attributes seem to be optimal for his position.

large hands and agility. interested to see how davis progresses this season.

…

from your linked article:

…
short Quarterbacks Who Thrive

Consider that the NFL average for quarterback hand size is currently 9.6 inches. Well, some of the top “short” quarterbacks (6’2” or shorter) of the past decade have ridiculously large hands—Drew Brees (10.25 inches), Russell Wilson (10.25 inches), Brett Favre (10.38 inches). There are also countless tall quarterbacks with small hands who were drafted highly and failed to live up to expectations.

Small-Handed Quarterbacks Who Excel

There are some quarterbacks with small hands who have bucked the trend to play well in the NFL, too. But as I studied those quarterbacks, it became clear that the majority have one thing in common—mobility. Some of the top small-handed quarterbacks to play in the past decade include Michael Vick (historically small 8.5-inch hands), Colin Kaepernick (9.13 inches), Robert Griffin III (9.5 inches), Daunte Culpepper (9.5 inches), Aaron Rodgers (9.38 inches), and Tony Romo (8.86 inches).

All of those passers are either runners or have well above-average mobility in the pocket.

October 1, 2014 at 10:20 pm #8849

zn
Moderator

from another article

—

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2014/02/post_179.html

The league loves quarterbacks with hands like candelabras – wide palms, long fingers.

“That’s something that is highly underrated,” Arizona coach Bruce Arians said. “It does depend on where you play. You play (indoors), not too bad. But if you play in Green Bay and struggle controlling a football when it’s cold and wet then that’s a problem.”

The NFL has been measuring hand size since the mid 1960s, former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt said, but in an information age when everything is quantified public intrigue has grown.

…

Two years ago, Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider came off like the Violent Femmes in “Blister in the Sun” while discussing Russell Wilson.

The GM made it known Wilson’s big hands (10-1/4-inch) factored in selecting the 5-foot-11 quarterback because of the city’s rainy environs.

Although weight can be gained, body fat shed and speed enhanced, no personal trainer or dietary supplement helps with the hands. There isn’t an exercise to make them larger for the combine.

…

Whitfield likened the importance of a quarterback’s hand size to that of a basketball point guard’s.

“You just have so much more control,” Whitfield said. “If you can get the ball to do what you want it to do on a calm day or windy day you have a distinct advantage.”

October 2, 2014 at 1:33 am #8861

InvaderRam
Moderator

well it is an interesting hypothesis. the article goes on to say that one big reason that wilson is as good as he is is that he has two crucial attributes – hand size AND mobility.

well davis has the hands. he’s got good mobility. and he’s actually a little taller than wilson.

still. it remains to be seen if he has all the mental attributes than wilson has. that’s what we’ll find out this season.

October 2, 2014 at 2:27 pm #8892

wv
Participant

I am a nine incher.

Just thot i would reveal that.
I just got out a ruler and measured
my hand-span from the tip of my pinky
to the tip of my thumb. I assume
thats what they measure: 9.0 inches.

w
v

October 2, 2014 at 2:41 pm #8894

wv
Participant

Plenty of QBs have been quiet-intense leaders. Bart Starr, Len Dawson, Bob Griese, etc.
And plenty have been fiery. Joe Kapp, Favre, etc.

Austin is fiery. Apparently some of the ram players
like that.

w
v
=============================
Wagoner article: “….Beyond the numbers, Davis has a locker room full of teammates who are buoyed by his presence in the huddle and his fiery demeanor on the field.

“We definitely feed off that,” tight end Lance Kendricks said. “You need that in the huddle sometimes, especially with a young group like us. I think that kind of helps everyone’s confidence and ability to just play their game.”

The humble and soft-spoken Davis is not letting his more permanent promotion change how he is approaching things. He said Wednesday he hasn’t thought much about how he’s come from spring roster long shot to entrenched starter in a matter of about three months.

“I think that’s why you do take the cliché approach of work hard every day and take every rep like it’s your last, because you never what’s going to happen in this game with injuries and different opportunities and things like that,” Davis said. “So, yeah, it’s a bit of a wild ride. But at the end of the day, this team’s looking for me to lead them, and I’m up for that challenge and excited about it.”
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12213/davis-earned-starting-job-but-has-chance-for-more

October 3, 2014 at 1:32 am #8952

zn
Moderator

from off the net

—

Speed_Kills

for me it’s what Austin is doing with his head that is so impressive. He knows what he is doing (knows the offense) but he’s knows what everyone else is doing too. Cosell has said a couple if times now that Davis understands why certain plays are called and down and distance. That is accurate. Watch him. If you gave gamerewind check him out and how he works the game. He is not just acting as an extension of Shotty, he also thinks beyond the play call and can react as thing are happening that can alter the original call

He has found Cook. That is his safety blanket. He is always looking down the field. Sure he will take check downs. The drive that got them within 3 of Dallas he checked his way down the field! He will take chances. Like the 3rd down throw against Tampa and yes the int to close the game against the Cowboys.

Davis makes things happen….and every time you turn around a player or coach references his leadership in the huddle. This team desperately needs that

I’m all in in Davis….and here’s to him continuing to grow and elevating players around him

October 3, 2014 at 10:33 am #8971
wv
Participant
Just somethin i thot
was inter estin

w
v

================================
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Davis
“…For 2008, Davis was named the starting quarterback by head coach Larry Fedora and became the first freshman to be named the starting quarterback at Southern Miss since 1991… ended the year with a combined total of 15 school records for both game and single-season marks,[5] which included most passing yards in a game (461) and most rushing touchdowns in a contest (5) as well as total offense for a season (3,323).[3] Davis was ranked 16th nationally in total offense (279.7) and 52nd in passing efficiency (128.6) in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). His total offense average was the highest among freshmen quarterbacks in the country, ahead of … Robert Griffin of Baylor (244.5)…”
- This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by wv.
- This reply was modified 9 years, 11 months ago by zn.
October 3, 2014 at 10:42 am #8973

zn
Moderator

wv wrote:

Just somethin i thot
was inter estin

w
v

================================

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Davis

“…For 2008, Davis was named the starting quarterback by head coach Larry Fedora and became the first freshman to be named the starting quarterback at Southern Miss since 1991… ended the year with a combined total of 15 school records for both game and single-season marks,[5] which included most passing yards in a game (461) and most rushing touchdowns in a contest (5) as well as total offense for a season (3,323).[3] Davis was ranked 16th nationally in total offense (279.7) and 52nd in passing efficiency (128.6) in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). His total offense average was the highest among freshmen quarterbacks in the country, ahead of … Robert Griffin of Baylor (244.5)…”

The problem with college production? It was a spread. Basically, Davis was a victim of that unstoppable college spread thing, which just amps up production against inherently overmatched defenses without preparing them to be pro qbs. In college, a spread qb is like a one-eyed man in the kingdom of the blind.

That’s not to dismiss him. It’s just to say that the college numbers are in a sense inflated–the spread does that. And in fact, he basically said that himself in a college interview I saw. When his numbers were compared to Favre, he said well we threw a lot more than in his day.

…

October 3, 2014 at 11:04 am #8974

GreatRamNTheSky
Participant

I think we as fans and RGIII as a player are finding out that maybe his game does not translate well to the pros.
I think AD is a more conventional type of rollout QB who scrambles to buy time to find the open receiver. I also like the fact that AD has demonstrated he knows the offense and the playbook and seems capable at reading defenses. That is something that even some veteran QBs are not real good at.

Grits

October 3, 2014 at 11:20 am #8976

zn
Moderator

GreatRamNTheSky wrote:

I also like the fact that AD has demonstrated he knows the offense and the playbook and seems capable at reading defenses.

3 years in the same system. Good advantage.

October 4, 2014 at 10:46 am #9026

zn
Moderator

People can say what they want and there are different opinions but this is an interesting story.

In 2012 he was a college spread qb who barely even knew how to drop back from center let alone read defenses and sense the rush while doing it, let alone keep his eyes downfield when moving out of the pocket. Fisher all but handed him the #2 job before the 2013 training camp, and he got beat out by CLEMENS (!), and cut, and picked up by no one (except Miami for like a day or something). The Rams didn’t even put him on the practice squad. When Bradford went down, they signed him back…but also signed Brady Quinn. At that point, before they picked him back up, he was coaching high school.

Heck he wasn’t even a decent #2 qb 4 weeks ago. (Though he was good in the last 2 preseason games before that). When he came in off the bench in the Vikes game he himself said he had trouble making the calls. He stood there on broken plays and took sacks.

When he got time with the starters for Tampa, and could throw to an improved WR corps (which is MILES ahead of where it was this time last year), yeah he has blossomed…so far (there’s still stuff we don’t know about him yet though but so far so good.)

This is going to be interesting.

Some guys have already bought into him. Actually it took me a few games before I bought into it with Bulger. (Warner, I bought in cause of game #2 that year against Atlanta. The game of The Drive.) Bradford, I was not completely aboard until the comeback wins showed up. So I am actually kind of slow to “buy in.”

.

October 4, 2014 at 10:56 am #9033

Agamemnon
Moderator

Hill or Davis, either is OK with me.

Agamemnon

October 4, 2014 at 2:20 pm #9036

zn
Moderator

WV.

Yes WV.

I am calling you out.

You liked Davis back in 2012. You even at some points liked him more than Bradford. Now we all thought it was over in 2013, but that aside–now that he IS the starter, is it like you hoped?

GRANTED that we really don’t know going forward if he can sustain it…so, no one is setting you up for a later blowback. BUT…

…among the people I know, you were his earliest enthusiast. So I would just like to hear about that.

October 4, 2014 at 2:45 pm #9039

wv
Participant

zn wrote:

WV.

Yes WV.

I am calling you out.

You liked Davis back in 2012. You even at some points liked him more than Bradford. Now we all thought it was over in 2013, but that aside–now that he IS the starter, is it like you hoped?

GRANTED that we really don’t know going forward if he can sustain it…so, no one is setting you up for a later blowback. BUT…

…among the people I know, you were his earliest enthusiast. So I would just like to hear about that.

What i liked was one particular play back in preseason of 2012.
The kid was pressured and he spun out of the pocket, escaped,
extended a play and completed a pass. It was something
we just havent seen from Warner, a gimpy-Green, Bulger, Bradford.
He’s got a talent those players dont have. Doesnt mean
he’s better, but its a talent. I like it. Romo’s got it.

I hope some reporter asks AustinD about his
ups and downs from 2012 thru 2014. Why did he
look good, then bad, and now good again.

His total QB rating is 15th btw:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/qbr

w
v

October 4, 2014 at 3:06 pm #9040

zn
Moderator

wv wrote:

His total QB rating is 15th btw:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/qbr

w
v

That’s his espn QBR. (They call it “QBR,” as distinct from “qb rating.”) I tend not to follow that.

In terms of just the old-fashioned QB rating it’s 17th, which is not that different. It’s 93.1.

Man with rule changes? And making the qb sack illegal? A 93.1 qb rating now ranks 17th.

More than half the league has qb ratings in the 90s or higher.

October 4, 2014 at 3:36 pm #9041

wv
Participant

zn wrote:

In terms of just the old-fashioned QB rating it’s 17th, which is not that different. It’s 93.1.

Man with rule changes? And making the qb sack illegal? A 93.1 qb rating now ranks 17th.

More than half the league has qb ratings in the 90s or higher.

Yeah, i kinda thot the rule changes would
do that. If it holds up all year,
its the story of the year, in the NFL
i would think — 93 rating is only average now.

In a way it makes run defense all the more
important, i think. I mean, nobody
is stopping the pass, apparently.

w
v

October 4, 2014 at 6:46 pm #9049

zn
Moderator

wv wrote:

If it holds up all year,
its the story of the year, in the NFL
i would think — 93 rating is only average now.

In a way it makes run defense all the more
important, i think. I mean, nobody
is stopping the pass, apparently.

w
v

I wish I knew a quick and easy way to find out if holding calls on offensive linemen are down from last year.

October 5, 2014 at 12:38 pm #9103

zn
Moderator

from off the net

—

SunTzu_vs_Camus

want to see a string of consistent production from Davis..So, that we can get a strong feel for his game. It’s the consistentcy I want to see.
I want to make sure he doesn’t LOSE games for us. He’s been doing great things…but has also had some mistakes as all young QBs have.

Everyone wants ADavis to take the reigns and RUN with it and take the starting job!!! ….and I’m a hardcore Bradford fan!!! I hope we sign Bradford and draft a young gun (Connor Cook?!) high in the draft…
and have all 3 fight it out for the starting spot next year.

I’m cautiosly optimistic!!! I’ve seen too many of the kid’s PS games where he kinda is too frenetic for my likes. However, he’s been very calm and playing within himself…and throwing some very good intermediate balls and playing strong in the 4th Qtr. So, I’m hopeful the “light” went on and Davis continues his smart style of playing…. and is less spastic!! lol

October 5, 2014 at 7:31 pm #9155

GreatRamNTheSky
Participant

Jesus! Austin Davis damn near brought the team back from the dead today and we still get crap posts like the one above.

Unbelievable.

Grits

October 5, 2014 at 7:49 pm #9159

wv
Participant

GreatRamNTheSky wrote:

Jesus! Austin Davis damn near brought the team back from the dead today and we still get crap posts like the one above.

Unbelievable.

Grits

I think you are misreading him, Grits:

“…I’m cautiosly optimistic!!! I’ve seen too many of the kid’s PS games where he kinda is too frenetic for my likes. However, he’s been very calm and playing within himself…and throwing some very good intermediate balls and playing strong in the 4th Qtr. So, I’m hopeful the “light” went on and Davis continues his smart style of playing…. and is less spastic!! lol”

October 5, 2014 at 9:23 pm #9172

Eternal Ramnation
Participant

375 yards and 3 TD’s no INTs I’ll take it considering Long,Joseph ,Wells and Barksdale all turned loose 300lbs. men with bad intentions I will give him the pass. Just consider the result had Hill or Bradford been behind that disgrace of a OL.Bradford alone would be out till 2020 after today!

October 5, 2014 at 11:18 pm #9181

InvaderRam
Moderator

oline was horrible today. i’m wondering when robinson can crack the lineup cuz i’m wondering how he couldn’t make this line better.

all things considered i think davis had a heck of a game.

October 6, 2014 at 12:28 am #9194

zn
Moderator

placeholder, nm (it’s technical)

October 6, 2014 at 4:19 pm #9219

wv
Participant

“It’s pretty awesome,” tight end Jared Cook said. “He just carries himself with a different type of attitude that we’ve never seen before. He leads us and does it well.”

“They brought more than we had and I’ve got to get it pushed and I held on to the ball too long,” Davis said. “That’s one of those big plays that can’t happen and something I’ve got to learn from.”

“I thought they were at a little bit of a loss, didn’t know what to call and everything they did we were able to find the completion and move the ball down the field. So, I had no doubts in my mind we’d win the ball game, 35-34, to be honest with you,” Davis said. “And it just didn’t happen.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12356/austin-davis-impressive-again-in-loss

October 6, 2014 at 5:58 pm #9228

SunTzu_vs_Camus
Participant

Agreed, WV.
I like Bradford, ADavis and even Hill or Kennum. But I would add a high draft pick at QB to throw into the mix and then we will have a very deep QB group…at the toughest most valuable position in football. Even trade one for a few high picks, eh?! 😉

"I should have been a pair of ragged claws...
Scuttling across the floors of silent seas."
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