Quarterbacks are like snowflakes (you have to see where this is going, right?): No two are exactly alike or deliver the football to their receivers or make in-game calls exactly the same.
With Jason Campbell taking over this week from Jay Cutler, Bears receivers will face some subtle adjustments. And at the NFL level, subtle is potentially significant.
Jay has one of the strongest arms in the league so its going to get on you quicker, said wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, who played with Cutler all last season and now this, and worked with Campbell through training camp and weekly on the look team running upcoming opponents offenses.
Jason has a more deliberate delivery so you know its coming, very smooth.
Style points
Coincidentally, both quarterbacks worked under the direction of quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, Cutler in Denver and now Chicago, Campbell as a Bear.
But while Cutler prospered under Mike Shanahan and a version of the West Coast offense, typically built around timing throws, Cutler is less the practitioner of that approach than Campbell.
Jason has a firmer ball, doesnt zip it to you quite as much, said wide receiver Devin Hester. Jason is a more timing type of quarterback. Jay is has the arm strength to wait til you get open to throw it to you. Jasons been in a timing offense more before.
Both are the same when it comes to catching the ball. Jay puts the ball there when its time for it to be there. Jason might get the ball to you a little earlier in a route.
Receivers said Campbell does not telegraph throws, just sometimes make earlier ones.
He may anticipate more, which isnt good or bad, just different, Sanzenbacher said. Jays got a stronger arm and just likes to see it first: Its open, Ill get it there.
Accuracy matters
Cutler has a career completion percentage of 61.1. Campbell is nearly identical at 60.8. Cutler has had more success down the field with 7.2 yards per attempt vs. Campbells 6.75.
But Campbells 45-yard completion to Brandon Marshall in last Sundays third quarter made a special impression, even on those used to seeing his passing.
He made great throws last week, Sanzenbacher said. That throw to Brandon was impressive in itself. And thats coming in cold off the sidelines. Impressive.
Hut, hut, HUT
More than the receivers will be dealing with the new quarterback.
Campbell has a slightly different cadence at the line of scrimmage. How much difference that makes remains to be seen.
The Bears had one false start last Sunday in 34 trips to the line behind Campbell.
Whatever the case may be, weve been around him all offseason and training camp, said center Roberto Garza. Weve heard his cadence. It comes down to just hearing the plays and going out there and executing. We dont have to do anything different. We just have to do it better.
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