THINK FIRST, THEN THROW IT DEEP

Jeff Christensen believes the quarterback position is broken. 

And he’s just the guy to fix it. 

“Kids today,” says the founder of Throw It Deep Passing Academy, “and when I say kids I mean 19, 20, 21 years old. They think because they throw a pretty spiral they’ve done something. It’s mind-boggling.” 

Christensen’s soapbox is a sweaty gymnasium on a rainy day in Bolingbrook.

He’s moved his army of ball slingers inside until the weather breaks.  This is his 4^th session of the day, yet his throat doesn’t have a hint of raspiness as he rattles off a repeated cadence of jargon that is familiar only to his band of pigskin pitchers. 

“FLAT FOOT, BRING THE HIPS!” 

“TURN THE HEAD, EASY FEET!” 

They come from Lemont, Plainfield, New Lenox and St. Charles to hear the wisdom of this man. Some are in college, others as young as 14. While the ages might be different, there is a rhythm and symmetry to each of their throws, symphonic in its harmony.  

It is all part of Christensen’s revolutionary philosophy to the quarterback position.

It’s a belief structure that was created in the late 1970’s and early 80’s, when Jeff Christensen was at Eastern Illinois. Drafted in the 5th round the Cincinnati Bengals  in 1983, he was the 1^st quarterback taken after a certain hall-of-famer who went to the Miami Dolphins.

You might remember him? His name is Dan Marino. 

Christensen is steadfast in his belief the 1970’s was the glory years of the position, when the NFL was dominated by precision passers like Dan Fouts, Ken Stabler his teammate in Cincinnati, Ken Anderson. 

Those players were successful, says Christensen, not only because were they smart, but they were trusted by their coaches. This is in contrast to today’s NFL, where multi-million dollar field generals micromanage the position. 

“There is far too much control today by coaches,” says Christensen. “A guy won’t audible out of a play because he is told not too. In the 70’s, guys had much more freedom. And more mental toughness, which Christensen says has been deemphasized by scouts who prefer arm strength and physical size  

“All the great QB’s had physical deficiencies,” said Christensen.  "Joe Montana never had a strong arm. It’s about intelligence.  “I teach these QB’s how to think.” 

This philosophy, Christensen believes, is the quarterbacking version of reverse psychology. Learn the how’s and why’s first. Then the power will take care itself. 

“JUSTIN, NOT BAD FOR A 14 YEAR OLD!” 

“NOT BAD FOR A TRICK OR TREATER!” 

Christensen barks at Justin Butterfield, a soon-to-be sophomore at Lincoln-Way West high school. The “trick or treater” reference is not just a jab at Justin’s youthfulness. 

You see, many arrive at Throw it Deep Passing Academy only disguised as QB’s, but rarely do they leave without metamorphisizing into the real thing. 

“It’s the best thing that ever happened to us,” said Sue Butterfield, Justin’s mom. Not satisfied with just dropping off and picking up her son after workouts, she is so engaged with her son’s progression, Butterfield sticks around to watch Justin throw. 

“He’s an awesome teacher,” said Butterfield, standing by a goal post after the rain drifts on. “I find him so interesting because I learn things just by watching.” 

Hundreds of throws later, the concert is just about over. No encores tonight, as a 7-on-7 camp awaits the weekend and the boys must rest their arms. 

“We won’t fix things in a week, we’ll fix them over time,” says their teacher. 

Heading to the parking lot after another full day of instruction, there is no rest for Christensen. Not when there is another teenage gunslinger that needs to learn how his back quarter is driving his power, or how to repair his front elbow, which is too loud. 

Not when the quarterback position needs to be saved.