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Cowboys Backup QB Vows to Improve Footwork After Favre Comparisons
21 Aug
Summary
- Cowboys coach compares backup QB Milton's arm to Hall of Famer Favre
- Milton bristles at notion he throws too hard, says it's a "blessing"
- Coaches want Milton to focus on footwork to improve touch on shorter throws
As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for their final preseason game on Friday, the team's backup quarterback, Joe Milton, has been the subject of some intriguing comparisons and critiques. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has likened Milton's arm strength and velocity to that of Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre, whom Schottenheimer coached with the New York Jets in 2008.
However, Milton has bristled at the notion that he throws the ball too hard for his teammates, insisting that it's simply the way the ball comes off his hand. "I'm literally not throwing the ball hard. It just comes off my hand like that. I was born and blessed that way," Milton said after the team's final training camp practice on Thursday.
While Favre was known for occasionally rifling the ball too hard on shorter throws, leading to receivers breaking their fingers in cold weather, Milton says he hasn't had that issue since high school. Nonetheless, Schottenheimer and the Cowboys' coaching staff have identified an area of improvement for the young quarterback: his footwork.
"There's a way you do it with your release, the way you can change the release and the tempo of the grip and things like that," Schottenheimer explained. The coaches have noticed that some of Milton's missed throws were a result of his footwork getting a bit sloppy, and they're working with him to improve his base and timing in the pocket.
Milton acknowledges the importance of clean footwork, especially in the Cowboys' offense, which relies heavily on the quarterback's timing and rhythm. "If I clean up my feet, I think my eyes will be better. I will put myself in better situations," he said.
As the Cowboys evaluate their options at backup quarterback, Milton will have one more chance to showcase his progress in the final preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. He's treating this game like a regular-season contest, with two weeks of film study and a focus on refining his fundamentals. The team and the quarterback both see this as a valuable opportunity to continue his development.
