Film Session: Michael Penix's Rookie Season

Michael Penix only played 3 games during his rookie season, but he looked like an 8-year veteran in every single one of them. There were just so many impressive throws and instances of professional quarterbacking.

It’s hard to argue any rookie QB was better than Jayden Daniels last season. But next in line has to be Penix. That’s how good his 3 games were.

Below, I take a deep dive into Penix’s first NFL Season and show you over 25 plays covering the following areas:

• Professional Quarterbacking

• Intermediate/Downfield Throws

• Anticipation and Timing

• Manipulating and Holding Defenders

• Working Through Progressions

• Sneaky Scrambling & Play-Making Ability

• Statue in the Pocket

Professional Quarterbacking

As I mentioned above, Penix looked like a professional quarterback right from the get-go.

This was the first 3rd down pass attempt of his first start. A 3rd-and-7. This was an example of great NFL quarterbacking in so many ways.

Penix looked left initially. The Giants were playing man but the motion didn’t make defenders switch and as a result he didn’t like the leverage his receivers’ routes had. He instantly came back to the right, in rhythm, and delivered a perfect ball, hitting his receiver in stride:

It was out of a somewhat muddy pocket with a pass rusher in his face too:

That’s professional quarterbacking my friend.

Great Intermediate/Downfield Thrower

This was an aspect of Penix’s game that stood out in his college tape. He throws the ball downfield so well. At the intermediate level and deeper, it sometimes seems like a long hand off.

Just take a look at this deep comeback. Not only did this ball have good velocity, he dropped it into his receiver’s hands, 30 yards away, while also putting it over the underneath defender:

This next throw ended as an incompletion, but just look at the ball placement:

You can question the decision to make that throw with a safety closing, but you can’t question the accuracy.

On this next example, he put the ball in a spot where only his receiver could get it:

And here’s another downfield throw:

And another:

And another:

There’s not a more important attribute for a quarterback than putting the ball where you want to. And Penix can do that regularly. There were so many examples in just 3 games last season.

Anticipation and Timing

Penix showed the consistent ability to throw with great anticipation and timing in his limited action last season as well.

But what does it take to be able to throw with anticipation? And what does it mean if you’re a quaterback who can throw with anticipation?

It means he can process and recognize the coverage quickly. A QB is not letting the ball go early without understanding what the defense is doing.

It means he has awareness and vision of where nearby defenders are.

It means great accuracy and ball placement (making the right type of throw to beat the coverage).

Some quarterbacks show the ability to throw with anticipation occasionally. Penix was comfortable enough to do it regularly and in the biggest of situations.

Check out this 3rd-and-8 against the Giants. Penix got this ball out before his receiver was out of his break:

That’s how you consistently convert on 3rd down in the NFL.

Here’s another example: