What can you coach into, or out of, a player at the NFL level?

go watch his highlight reel from this past year. You are really over exaggerating the back foot thing and the one good play thing. When he could step into throws he did. Mechanics not near as bad as you are making them out to be stone.

 

I disagree, when I first started noticing this with him after he came in for Ben, I went back and watched hours of his highlights and also just basic films and he throws from his back foot when there is no pressure anywhere near him.

Watch this video, on the second highlight pass there is no-one near him; watch how his torso tilts backwards putting his weight on his back foot.....rather than step into a deep pass. This also creates the high launch angle he throws at as well, this is why his passes float and are late getting there.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=mason+rudolph+college+passing&&view=detail&mid=0945D1BCD3A1DE4401B80945D1BCD3A1DE4401B8&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=/videos/search?q=mason%20rudolph%20college%20passing&qs=n&sp=-1&pq=mason%20rudolph%20college%20passing&sc=0-29&sk=&cvid=B22287918ED449559BE4EBB7FECEE19A&FORM=VDVVXX

 

In terms of what one can coach a player, normally that coach can teach the basics, fundamentals and principles of the essential aspects of whatever position they are in. From there, it is up to the player to not only hone their own skills but also improve their own strengths and mitigate their own weaknesses. Minkah Fitzpatrick is an excellent example of someone who understands what they can and cannot do. Others like Terrell Edmunds do not.



That said, there is also an element only the players have to teach themselves and coaches hope they can acquire; instinct. Acting and reacting without having to think is one of the many traits that seperate the great ones from the good ones; those who have achieved this early on doubly so and no less. Thinking too much at the most tense moments of the game results in second guessing; various negative effects and actions occuring soon thereafter.



However, there is a reason why the statement of coaches hoping comes into play. Leaving everything to instinct is ridiculously difficult; something not even the most athletically gifted players can do on a consistent basis. It truly is an acquired skill in which one has or does not.




In short?! Coaches teach the rights and wrongs while the players refine them. From there, it is up to the players to learn how to act without thinking about the actions they are performing. Regardless of how athletic they are, should they not overcome this barrier, they will limit their overall capabilities to assist their team.

 

These are great points and if you think about it, you hear terms all the time like "he learned to keep his shoulders square to the intended target" or "he learned to run with his pads lower" or "he learned to get leverage by lowering his center of gravity".

I realize it's tough to take a "kid" who has been a freak of nature his entire life, and has made it to the NFL with very little "work" on his techniques, relying solely on his God-given ability, and get him to understand that he has to modify what got him here.

Being a competitive golfer and a student of the golf swing, I see golf teachers who do far more damage than good when giving lessons. You can't take someone who has succeeded despite quirks and kinks and throw out those quirks and kinks, you have to find a way to augment those quirks and kinks.

 

Indeed.



While coaches need to teach the essentials, great coaches use their player's foundation and build their skillset from there. Once that is achieved, throw the players to the wolves. Examples include Diontae Johnson and Cameron Sutton. Nevermind having an Offensive Coordinator who did not trust him, Mason Rudolph did not even have a QB Coach; a big no no in terms of developing a young QB.



Leaving out Devin Bush Jr. and T.J. Watt because those two are extreme exceptions. That said, coaching overall has helped both. I believe they will be perennial All Pros; Bush especially.