Trevor Lawrence, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ young quarterback, faced significant challenges last season as one of the NFL’s least accurate passers. Misplaced footwork has prevented him from executing at an elite level. The Jaguars have invested their hopes in Liam Coen to completely revamp his mechanics and expand his understanding of the game. After undergoing surgery this offseason on his left non-throwing shoulder, Lawrence has continued to take steps in his overall process in preparation for the season ahead. Coen has a unique approach, focusing on footwork and body structure. His objective is to get Lawrence ready for success now, as he adjusts to a new offensive scheme and yet another offensive coordinator/coach-in-training switcheroo.
With that all said, Coen is clearly intent on shapeshifting Lawrence’s technique. Consequently, the rookie signal-caller is back at square one learning how to properly “dance” in the pocket. This comparison highlights the complexities of quarterback footwork and mechanics that need to be honed down to a science with rhythm and timing. To prepare him, Coen has introduced drills to develop muscle memory. He highlights the key role that technique plays in executing plays correctly.
Addressing Footwork Issues
Lawrence’s issues a year ago were frequently due to faulty footwork and decision making when facing outside pressure. As Coen began dissecting these problems on tape, it became clear to him that fixing Lawrence’s footwork was central to unlocking his full potential. Coen insisted that Lawrence put his left foot in front of his right when entering the shotgun formation. This subtle technique improves his overall balance and more importantly helps get him ready for quick, compact throws.
Whatever Coen’s strategies have been, Lawrence has seen a dramatic change in his mechanics to the positive. He expressed his growing comfort with the new techniques, stating, “It’s starting to feel a lot more comfortable and natural.” This new found ease is especially important to Lawrence. For one, he has to learn a brand new offense and do so while getting used to his third head coach and fourth offensive coordinator in as many years.
Coen would be doing Lawrence a disservice if he didn’t focus on the nitty-gritty that separates good from great in quarterback play. “Is every single ball perfectly accurate right now? Is he operating the offense at a high level? Yes, he is right now,” Coen remarked, indicating confidence in Lawrence’s progress. The focus on minutiae is important for Lawrence as he continues to work on creating consistent footwork and decision making.
Building Muscle Memory
Especially as Lawrence goes about his process of improving his footwork, muscle memory is key to reprogramming his mechanics. According to the quarterback, it won’t happen overnight, breaking built-in tendencies is a process. “Some of the mechanical stuff that you’ve done for years … takes a little longer to train out,” he noted.
Coen’s method goes against the grain with monotonous drills that pound home mechanics. Grant Udinski, who works closely with both Coen and Lawrence, emphasized the importance of understanding foot positioning: “He mentioned he’s switching his feet. So, it’s actually learning: ‘What do those steps look like? Where am I angled? Where are my shoulders?’” His overall play should benefit from this renewed emphasis on alignment, helping Lawrence to become a more accurate and timely thrower while on the move and extending plays.
The dynamic collaborative effort between Coen, Udinski, and Lawrence is evident and it’s promising to see their emphasis on further developing the quarterback. Coen’s belief in Lawrence’s potential remains unwavering, as he stated, “When there’s an opportunity to be bold, he [doesn’t] flinch.” By fostering Lawrence’s confidence and supporting his development, Coen aims to unlock the quarterback’s full capabilities.
Understanding the New Offense
Moving to a new offensive system is always an additional hurdle for any quarterback. For Lawrence, this transition is particularly meaningful considering his track record of up and down performance throughout his first four NFL seasons. There are some challenges to be sure, but participants like Lawrence have made great strides in understanding the complexities of the new system.
Coen has done an impressive job along side James Gladstone in finding trades that could bring this team the most assets to improve their roster. This collaborative approach speaks volumes about their desire to encircle Lawrence with all of the talent they need to thrive. As they approach these decisions, it’s key to give Lawrence good support at all levels on the field. This support will be critical to Hugo’s long-term development.
Lawrence’s ability to adjust on the fly will be crucial as he’ll have to pick up new plays and concepts. The alignment of his feet, body and shoulders is arguably the most critical factor to his success on-target throws. As Coen pointed out, “The drop of a quarterback is very similar to a dance, and so each song, right, has a different rhythm.” This comparison highlights the need for accuracy and agility in a quarterback’s performance.
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