Your leader on the offensive line is your center, because the communication really takes place between him and quarterback.
I know how important it is to have your quarterback standing upright. Matter of fact, I know how important it is not to allow someone hit on him period because I want him to think that this pocket is completely safe, no one is going to get to me and I got all the time in the world to make whatever decisions I need to make.
If you pay a QB $10 million, you don't want him to run the ball.
I always felt like hanging around the pocket was trouble, but the truth is, the great players take the beatings in the pocket and expose themselves -- and that is the real risk.
The quarterback is the most vulnerable one on the field. He's in an awkward position a lot of times when he throws the ball. So he does have to be protected. You lose a quarterback, you're in trouble. I don't know if they can make it too safe. I think health becomes an issue.
Generally speaking, there's going to be times when it's going to be a little more challenging, depending on how the rush goes. But there are passing lanes that open up within the pocket. I think each play is kind of its own thing. They all play out different.
I've got to have two hands on the ball when I'm leaving the pocket, when I'm moving in the pocket.
The quarterback gets plenty of protection in the pocket, and he picks up protection out of the pocket; he's got protection down the field on his slides.
I worked at a place that followed a system where the quarterback was taught to take the sack rather than force the throw. That's kind of an old-school theory, but it has existed in this game.
So the truth is, if there's a lesson to be learned from mobile quarterbacks, it is deliver the ball from the pocket, which demands mastery of the data that is involved working in the pocket, which is, 'I know everything about everything.'
The truth is that in the NFL, the job is to deliver the ball from the pocket. That's the job.
There's a way you have to play the quarterback position in the NFL. Maybe I'm a little bit old school, but I think you have to play the game in the pocket with consistency.
In the pocket, you do have some protections, but you get out of the pocket, and defenders' eyes get big. Sometimes you learn that the hard way.
I just think more precaution should be taken when I'm inside the pocket. Look at all the replays - I'm on the ground every time. It's unfortunate for myself, it's unfortunate for my team and I'd be lying if I sat here and said I wasn't frustrated right now.
You have a little more time to make moves when you're in the slot.
Having my feet be as good as I want them to be can get me out of a lot of problems when I'm in the pocket and stuff starts to break down. There's rarely ever a perfect pocket.
