Levis Learning Touch Is Part Of Being A Professional Quarterback

Will Levis has his fastball, but mastering the change-up will determine his future success as an NFL quarterback.

Mark Zaleski / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - This isn't the first time I've written about Will Levis and his need to learn to throw with more touch, or possibly the last. However, it is the time that his offensive coordinator has spoken about it.  

Before the Tennessee Titans mandatory minicamp practice, Tim Kelly came to the podium on Wednesday. He was confronted with multiple questions concerning his offense, including Levis and his progress in learning to throw with more touch.

 "Yeah, I think that's part of learning how to be a professional quarterback. He can sit there and rip it. He's got a strong arm,  but to use the baseball reference, it's having a different pitch in your bag, too," said Kelly. "And it's not just having it; it's knowing when to use it and the location of the balls."

"That's a big adjustment for quarterbacks even coming from the SEC (Southeastern Conference) coming into the NFL. It's a totally different game, the rules are totally different,  and it's a different animal in terms of the defensive and in terms of the speed of the guys you're throwing to," added Kelly. "So, he's been doing a good job learning the different throws that he needs to use and when and where to use them."   

A recent video shot from one of the OTA practices showed Levis working on his touch but missing the intended target badly. That video has led many on social media to push the negative narrative forward about the Titans rookie quarterback. 

Having watched Levis, Ryan Tannehill, and Malik Willis work during that same practice and the others open to the media, I can say that none of the three have been perfect. Though Levis has struggled at times, he's also had equally good days on the field. 

No, Levis isn't ready to take the reigns as the team's starting quarterback, as is the case for Willis, but both players are working hard daily to improve. 

This team belongs to Tannehill now and into this season, and their success or failure this season rides on his play. 

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