At least one opposing coach believes Carson Wentz's NFL ceiling is leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history.
If Wentz is going to realize his prodigious potential, though, he must fix the obvious mechanical flaws and subsequent bad habits that haunted him in November and December after a spectacular September debut.
To that end, the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draftcalled upon respected biomechanics guru Adam Dedeaux for a couple of weeks of rewiring early in the offseason. Dedeaux and his mentor, former MLB pitcher Tom House, have enjoyed success with a slew of veteran quarterbacks, including Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Andy Dalton.
As Wentz breaks in new receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith during offseason practices, he's confident that his long-armed looping windup and shaky footwork have been streamlined in preparation for his second season.
"What made me go there?" Wentz said in an interview with Peter King of The MMQB. "Knowing so many good players went there and it helped them. I never want to stop learning. There are so many little things about playing this position that to the naked eye you won't see when you watch me. But I do feel I am improved mechanically."
Wentz insists he's "way more comfortable" in his second year at the helm of Doug Peterson's offense.
"It's OTAs, I know. But things have slowed down," Wentz continued. "I'm not thinking about everything anymore -- last year I was. Now I can feel the important things early in the play -- where's my answer, what are my options, what will work? It's a different game when you can dial it down and feel you know what's important to look for, and you're not looking at every little thing out there."
As important as it is for Wentz to master the pre- and post-snap recognitions required of established NFL quarterbacks, it's just as crucial that he checks in with Dedeaux and Eagles QBs coach John DeFilippo for regular maintenance on his mechanics.
While Blake Bortles notoriously allowed his throwing motion to backslide in a wasted 2016 season, high-profile veterans such as Brady and Ryan are known to fly Dedeaux in for tune-ups during offseason practices as well as game weeks.
"The great ones -- and we think (Wentz) is going to be that way -- the guys that want to be good are constantly working on their mechanics to make it better," DeFelippo explained Monday, via ESPN.com.
No one doubts Wentz's physical tools, football IQ or commitment to excellence. After finishing his rookie season near the bottom in yards per attempt (6.2) and passer rating (79.3), though, he must demonstrate tangible progress as a consistent passer before he's viewed as a frontline quarterback -- much less a franchise savior capable of ending a six-decade championship drought in Philadelphia.
