NASHVILLE, Tenn. — One thing simply wasn’t proper for Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis.
So he lastly relayed the thought to his new coach, Brian Callahan, throughout OTAs final month.
When Levis executed a play-action go, he realized he was shifting his toes an excessive amount of and needed to be “extra stationary.” The pair made it a degree to debate it after follow.
Levis, obsessive about being in tune together with his mechanics, is at all times looking for a correlation to the outcomes, whether or not they’re optimistic or destructive.
“I am undecided I’ve ever been round a man who’s so in contact with all of his mechanical issues,” offensive coordinator Nick Holz mentioned.
As Levis appeared again on his rookie journey the place he took over because the starter seven video games into the season, he recalled how he did not like the way in which throwing the ball felt at instances.
“Quarterbacks are weirdos,” Levis mentioned initially of minicamp. “We’re at all times tweaking one thing, feeling like one thing is perhaps off. The ball wasn’t popping out the way in which that I might’ve appreciated it to, and I simply began taking a look at what might probably be the reason for it.”
#Titans Will Levis has labored to tweak mechanics with Brian Callahan. He is additionally labored with Rob Williams and QB Movement for fairly a while. Levis mentioned he plans to get them each in touch with one another to mesh what he is engaged on pic.twitter.com/n1OmTn6RT6
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 4, 2024
THE DECISION TO make the tweaks grew to become a joint challenge for Levis, Callahan, Holz and quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree. Levis’ private place coach, Rob Williams of QB Movement, will be part of that blend as effectively this summer time.
After finding out Levis’ recreation movie, they discovered some particular areas to work on and targeted on the adjustments all through the spring and into the summer time.
What are they seeking to tweak?
“One of many huge issues we have emphasised with Will is his base, how vital that’s to enjoying quarterback,” Callahan mentioned initially of necessary minicamp earlier this month. “Having the ability to play on time, having the ability to get the ball out rapidly.”
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Callahan mentioned Levis has at all times had a pure fast launch. However they’re dialing in on persistently enjoying with a terrific base. Two areas of focus embrace extra self-discipline in his footwork main into the bottom of the highest of the drop and having the ability to take a shorter first step earlier than the ball comes out. Tightening the footwork and mixing that with Levis’ already fast launch will assist him be extra on time throughout the system Callahan is implementing.
Callahan’s scheme is comprised of varied offenses he is been concerned with that featured a formidable checklist of quarterbacks. Levis watches cutups of Corridor of Famer Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow — all of which have labored with Callahan through the years — to get a visible concept of how enjoying with a terrific base will help him play throughout the timing of the offense.
On the sphere, Hardigree spent probably the most time with Levis throughout OTAs and minicamp. He is been the driving power behind nailing down the focused changes. Hardigree places the quarterbacks via a drill through which he throws small baggage at their toes for them to keep away from whereas throwing to a chosen pass-catcher.
“It is actually for him to only tie in his decrease physique with the timing of the play and type of studying what drops, what actions are required,” Hardigree mentioned. “Sure routes take a sure idea, so we’re practising it.”
THE RESULTS HAVE proven once in a while — like the ultimate OTA follow the place Levis related with broad receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for 2 touchdowns. However there’s additionally room for enchancment — like when Levis was late on deep passes that ought to have been simple completions to Westbrook-Ikhine and Treylon Burks early in minicamp.
One factor Callahan has found is Levis is “extremely coachable.” Holz complimented Levis for the way he takes the ideas to coronary heart, displaying how intentional Levis’ focus is on the particular adjustment the following time he is on the sphere.
However not all adjustments come solely from the teaching employees. Callahan and the crew delight themselves on permitting Levis to make ideas as effectively. This freedom has allowed the coaches to see simply how in contact Levis is together with his mechanics.
“He is a man that may really feel it,” Hardigree mentioned. “If a sure throw is not the place he desires it to be or it did not exit on time, he has rapid suggestions.”
The texture for the whole lot comes from the immense work Levis has put in with Williams, his private quarterback coach. The 2 first bought collectively when Levis was at Penn State (earlier than transferring to Kentucky in 2021). Levis credited Williams with serving to him go from an arm thrower to a full-body passer.
“It is a very totally different option to generate energy utilizing the massive highly effective muscular tissues in the midst of the physique, your hips and core and legs,” Williams mentioned. “It’s extra environment friendly, you’ll be extra correct, you’ll have extra energy.”
#Titans QB Will Levis and QB Movement (a place particular teaching service from Canada) labored with a bunch of younger QBs during the last couple of days. Quite a lot of consideration to element. pic.twitter.com/S4OiUiGSvZ
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) Might 12, 2024
WILLIAMS BELIEVES BY emphasizing footwork he will help quarterbacks uncover the simplest option to ship the ball in tight areas with restricted time to take action. He refers back to the approach as “rotary mechanics.”
A great instance of the concentrate on the decrease physique that Williams preaches was on show throughout a passing camp that Levis collaborated with QB Movement on in Nashville within the spring. The camp included a small quantity of highschool quarterbacks together with Penn State quarterback Beau Pribula and former Georgia Tech signal-caller Aiden Semo.
With Williams main the way in which, the group of passers spent a big a part of the primary session with out the soccer of their arms as they targeted solely on establishing a powerful base from their toes to their hips. After nearly two hours, they labored their approach as much as throwing the ball.
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Callahan understands they cannot coach Levis year-round, so he sees a profit in having a private coach. However it should solely work if everyone seems to be on the identical web page. The Titans employees will talk their objectives to Williams via Levis.
“Will’s completed this earlier than — the place I have not had direct communication with the coaches,” Williams mentioned. “However we are going to get on a name, and he’ll say, ‘OK, we’re engaged on this footwork, or they need me to have my base a bit of narrower or they need me to shorten this step.'”
Williams then devises probably the most environment friendly option to perform the mission however from a kinesiology standpoint. For instance, Williams has already labored with Levis to shorten steps and “get extra deceleration on his second step in order that by the point he hits the third and ultimate step, his hips are loaded, and he can simply switch weight to get extra on his throw.” The aim is to do issues at a extra fast and environment friendly tempo.
Williams mentioned he intends to spend a while in Nashville with Levis, and the 2 have mentioned Levis flying to Vancouver, the place Williams is predicated, as effectively. Once they aren’t collectively, they’re going to have a number of weekly passing classes with Williams overseeing Levis’ throwing movement by means of video cam.
Levis plans to renew work with Williams after taking some down time together with his household, although, and he already started a retreat together with his receivers in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico earlier this week.
In Yr 1, Levis completed with 1,808 passing yards, eight touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 9 video games, so the Titans — and Levis — know that their success largely hinges upon Levis taking a step in the best path. If Williams has it his approach, the steps might be a lot shorter however way more environment friendly.
