Check this article out.  Sure glad to have Alex on board this year.

https://www.bengals.com/news/dalton-melts-the-pressure

Found this quote very interesting......explains the difference we are seeing this season when Dalton breaks the pocket.


“In practice we’d break down plays so we could use the scramble drill and the receivers would get used to reacting to him out of the pocket,” Van Pelt said. “You get about six to eight plays a game that are unscripted like that and they’re always the potential for big plays.”

It's interesting what some new eyes can bring to an organization.

(10-12-2018, 04:10 PM)sandwedge Wrote: It's interesting what some new eyes can bring to an organization.

Indeed it is.  I knew he was doing good things with Andy individually, but it's a great idea to get the receivers involved as well.  Good coaching.

You can see in the last couple of games, where receivers are working towards Dalton or finding an open space to sit, when the play breaks down. Big improvement over what we have seen in the past.

Good article. The big addition not mentioned was those out of bounds throws we are used to seeing. He's now using OOP to extended the play instead of chucking and starting over with 1 less down. That was defeating. Plus he looks more comfortable. I don't think I've ever seen him look this calm? I think there are so many other things unseen Alex has helped Andy with in not only his game, but the entire way he plays it.

(10-12-2018, 04:15 PM)sandwedge Wrote: You can see in the last couple of games, where receivers are working towards Dalton or finding an open space to sit, when the play breaks down.  Big improvement over what we have seen in the past.

Absolutely.  I didn't know whether to attribute that to Lazor, or Bicknell.  Seems it was our new QB coach all along.  He's done some good stuff with Andy too.  This guy's a keeper.

(10-12-2018, 04:17 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: Good article. The big addition not mentioned was those out of bounds throws we are used to seeing. He's now using OOP to extended the play instead of chucking and starting over with 1 less down. That was defeating. Plus he looks more comfortable. I don't think I've ever seen him look this calm? I think there are so many other things unseen Alex has helped Andy with in not only his game, but the entire way he plays it.

Agreed Harley.....but I gotta think part of that chucking it out of bounds was a lack of WRs, TEs, and RBs breaking off of their routes and going "schoolyard".  It's been a long time since I've seen our receivers come back to the QB or break across the field.  As you noted, another huge factor is the fact that Van Pelt has him playing comfortably under duress.  He's practicing this stuff now.....makes you wonder about the previous "lifer" we had coaching QBs, doesn't it?

(10-12-2018, 04:17 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: Good article. The big addition not mentioned was those out of bounds throws we are used to seeing. He's now using OOP to extended the play instead of chucking and starting over with 1 less down. That was defeating. Plus he looks more comfortable. I don't think I've ever seen him look this calm? I think there are so many other things unseen Alex has helped Andy with in not only his game, but the entire way he plays it.

If you listen to AJ in a video over at NFL.com, they asked him about Andy when he was mic'd up. They asked if he is that lose always and AJ said, Andy was cracking jokes in the huddle during the 4th qtr and that they didn't have any doubt they could come back and win.

(10-12-2018, 04:21 PM)Wyche Wrote: Agreed Harley.....but I gotta think part of that chucking it out of bounds was a lack of WRs, TEs, and RBs breaking off of their routes and going "schoolyard".  It's been a long time since I've seen our receivers come back to the QB or break across the field.  As you noted, another huge factor is the fact that Van Pelt has him playing comfortably under duress.  He's practicing this stuff now.....makes you wonder about the previous "lifer" we had coaching QBs, doesn't it?

Probably a pitching coach for the Reds now. 

(10-12-2018, 04:23 PM)sandwedge Wrote: If you listen to AJ in a video over at NFL.com, they asked him about Andy when he was mic'd up. They asked if he is that lose always and AJ said, Andy was cracking jokes in the huddle during the 4th qtr and that they didn't have any doubt they could come back and win.

Wow, that is just insane confidence. I love it.

(10-12-2018, 04:23 PM)sandwedge Wrote: If you listen to AJ in a video over at NFL.com, they asked him about Andy when he was mic'd up. They asked if he is that lose always and AJ said, Andy was cracking jokes in the huddle during the 4th qtr and that they didn't have any doubt they could come back and win.

Kinda reminds you of Joe Montana saying "Look.....isn't that John Candy over there?" in the huddle just before he crushed our dreams in SB XXIII.

(10-12-2018, 04:15 PM)sandwedge Wrote: You can see in the last couple of games, where receivers are working towards Dalton or finding an open space to sit, when the play breaks down.  Big improvement over what we have seen in the past.

Yes even AJ has stepped it up.

Very impressed that with the talent he possesses is still a humble student.

Gotta love him!

Meh, Fred convinced me that Zamp is actually the same or even better than Van Pelt. Any QB coach would look good with Aaron Rodgers as their QB... Dalton's success is just a coincidence

This is the second article I have seen about both Van Pelt and Lazor working on how the receivers handle broken protection plays. Some of us here had pointed out for years that our receivers would either just stand still or keep running without looking back on plays where the QB had to leave the pocket. Now we are starting to see the correct reaction which is to break back towards the QB and just get open in any way possible to be a target.

Loving what Van Pelt is doing with Dalton. I particularly like this quote from that article:

“Every quarterback should be able to drop back and throw a 5 route or come-back route in a clean pocket,” Van Pelt said. “Any quarterback should be able to do that. It’s when the body is under duress. That’s my approach. It’s when you have to throw off your back foot or throw when your left foot is behind your right foot and you’re all messed up down below. That’s what we try to emphasize during those individual periods.”

I’ve seen it said a lot on this board that “Dalton can pick teams apart when he has time” well yeah...most QB’s can. Now we’re seeing him make big plays even when things aren’t perfect though. And it’s awesome.

Great to see Andy extending plays.This was always the biggest fault I had with Andy.When a play broke down,most of the time he never recovered.

It's great to read the story behind the story, on Van Pelt and his effect on Dalton and the offense. However, if anyone needed any further proof, just look at how Rodgers and the Packers' offense is doing. They seem to be losing games that they're used to winning, and they have Rodgers leading a host of great weapons at the skill positions.

Great hire

What I like about this philosophy is not the typical analysis paralysis on footwork by most QB coaches.

I've read numerous times where a QB will come out of college and they start messing with their mechanics, especially their footwork, how their body is aligned to make the throw, drops, etc. Van Pelt takes the approach of situations where the upper body is not stable due to what's going on below. Just finding a way to muscle the ball somewhere to make a play, whether it be on the run or with someone draped around your waist. Love it, old school backyard football just slinging it.

These guys are athletes. Sometimes I think coaches make them think too much which takes away their god given instincts.

I can't stand Big Ben but the majority of his biggest plays are not drawn up on the chalkboard. Same with Aaron Rogers.