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When would you ever think that Saints' Quarterback Drew Brees' arm strength or lack of it, would be part of the reasons given by some Saints fans for the Black & Gold's current malaise. It certainly showed up last Sunday on NOLA.com and Times-Picayune columnist Larry Holder's top nine list of, "How the Saints Can Salvage Their Season."

Holder said, "I've defended him (Brees). He's defended himself. Yet, this topic isn't going away." Rightfully so, Holder said, "Get off the arm strength topic. It's a tired excuse."

Over my last 40 years in pro sports, I have had the opportunity to improve the functional fitness and performance of high school, college, and professional quarterbacks; increase the ball velocity for many MLB pitchers; and, most recently, increase Serena Williams' serve speed. As a result of these many experiences, I need to dispel what appears to be a misconception related to the term - "arm strength."

While many fans, based on their recent comments on NOLA.com, are focusing on Brees' arm strength, they may have missed the fact that the arm is not (or should not) become the source of strength for the throwing motion. In fact, the arm is nothing more than a "delivery mechanism" for guidance at ball release toward a target.

For a baseball pitcher, sixty-five percent of the throwing velocity is generated by the legs - combined with the internal rotation of the dominant-side hip - which is initiated by a pivoting motion of the back foot.

The quarterback - with a 3, 5, or 7 step drop to pass - must also plant that back foot to initiate the mechanic necessary to generate the appropriate power to make a pinpoint throw.

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) says, "For the quarterback to throw the ball to the side of the field on his throwing-hand side, the final step of the last two quick steps should open up the foot somewhat in the direction of the throw, so that the front hip can start to rotate in the direction of the target before he takes his step to deliver the ball. When the throw starts, the back foot should be perpendicular to the line from the quarterback to the target.

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saintsfan1976

Wrong.

Drew Brees is having his 3rd most accurate season (68.8%) in 14 years AND at a higher attempt rate (43.6 per game) than ever.

Before you complain about INT's, his % is on par with previous years.

Danno

Great article, now will everyone STFU about Drew's arm strength?

saintsfan1976

Teddy, teddy, teddy.....

We've run the ball 129 times, our opponents 133 times. Why do you want to take the ball away from Drew Brees? I've already pointed out that he's having a good year.

I won't argue that sometimes the offense stalls and we've let too many good drives end in field goals. But that has nothing to do with Drew's accuracy.

hagan714

Drew has or had a cannon? when? I missed it and i watch him at Purdue a good bit. master of short to mid range passes. always has been and always will be. i hate articles like this. he still has enough zip on the ball to get the job done.

Budsdrinker

The only thing I see Drew doing that I wish he wouldn't is waiting too long before he hits his check down receiver. He always wants the big play but if he was a little quicker to the check down guy we could gain at least 7 yards every time but he usually waits too long and then the check down guy is covered for either pass break up or no gain. Don't get me wrong, I love the big play but sometimes the check down works wonders.

AsylumGuido

Sorry, but to be honest, I never made it to the last sentence of your previous post. The fact that you insist upon posting in all lowercase makes your posts mostly unreadable. Nothing personal, but it is very hard to take anyone seriously when they can't take the time to punctuate properly.

blackangold

so he has a lack of leg strength then... or he is letting is leak out on him... got it.

Either way he has sucked at delivering the deep ball this year, and I don't care who says it but a 15 yard throw is no way to measure arm strength.

Bottom line:
Start connecting on the deep balls so I don't have to talk about this horse****.

brees84

Deep ball controversy is such a BS. I'm sure some of you would be complaining about Manning's short passes, crossing routes. Hey , he ain't dropping bombs!!!

Instead of talking about mental aspects of his game (stupid/brave decisions, trying to do too much) this arm strenght BS is really becoming one off the stupidest conversations on the internet.

There are actual reports of people (nfl people, scouts,..) who watch him practice, warm up and they never saw lack of arm strenght.

Mardigras9

Amen, accuracy has always been his greatest weapon.