Schuplinski Now Pivotal To Flores Regime
With Caldwell on leave, Schuplinski will be key to getting the QB position right
Most will say Jerry Schuplinski who? While I’ve watched him in some interviews, I too wouldn’t instantly recall the name as the Miami Dolphins quarterback coach. But when Jim Caldwell took a leave of absence, his name became highlighted in bright neon.
Schuplinski has been an NFL coach for six seasons (2013-18) with New England. Over the last three seasons, he has been the assistant quarterback coach. He has worked with Tom Brady, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jacoby Brissett. While Brady was Brady long before he arrived, he did have a hand in developing Garoppolo and Brissett.
Ian Rapppaprot reported that Schuplinski was, “A respected QB voice from New England, will take on a big role (in Miami).”
Schuplinski will be a central figure in the success of this regime
So, success or failure at the QB position in 2019 will reflect the ability and talents of Schrupinski. No, it won’t all rest on him. OC O’Shea, HC Flores, the quarterback themselves, and their surrounding talents will play a major role. But, for Rosen, who is in the formative portion of his career, Schrupinski’s influence will certainly be critical to his development.
Looking at Jimmy Garoppolo and the influence Schuplinski had on his success is the clear and easy focus point. Garoppolo had glowing praise of Schuplinki. But the questions that surrounded Garoppolo out of the draft were mostly based on his lack of physical talents, so Schrupinski impact from a technical side wasn’t as great as it was with his other pupil, Brissett.
Jacoby Brissett also heaped a ton of compliments on Schuplinski, “He was a great mentor for me… on and off the field. He was someone I always leaned on and just talked about anything. We would talk about life, family — things away from football that made our relationship so special.”
Brissett is a more important signpost for Schrupinski coaching ability because of the great strides he made in his weaknesses of technique and fundamentals.
Given both these players growth, it’s a good bet with the best bookie software that Flores pulled a gem from New England. Unfortunately, no bet is a sure thing. The dream scenario is Schrupinski helping Rosen have ‘Brissett like’ step forward in his game.
In this interview, Schrupinski shows himself to be calm and thoughtful. Both are essential qualities for a quarterback mentor.
When asked about what he thought about Rosen from his past play I liked his response: “It’s hard to answer that in total because we’re not exactly sure what they’re always telling them or asking them to do or what his responsibilities are in that offense. In order to get a full complement of what he can do, we want to judge him in our system.”
The Patriots Offensive Scheme believes their system makes the QBs
Flores and his staff fully believe their system makes the QB. Yes, a great quarterback back can take it to the next level, but their mindset is if a player understands and runs their system they can find success. This is where Schrupinski comes in… Will he get Fitzpatrick and Rosen to buy in? Can he sharpen Fitpatricks and Rosens decision making? Whether Schrupinski does or doesn’t will be a major piece of the 2019 puzzle.
