Image via Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.
Virtual reality is taking over the world. A concept that has been around since the 1950s, the idea of a virtual reality has always been a fascinating one. In recent years, the application and production of viable means to achieve a VR experience have exploded. With the looming release of the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality device marketed for video game fans, virtual reality is venturing into the next frontier; sports.
While several college programs have been a part of the wave for a while now, the National Football League is also taking notice. The Dallas Cowboys have recently been open about their use of the new-age sports-based virtual reality system STRIVR, developed by former athletes and scientists from Stanford University. As training camp nears and minicamp workouts are getting underway, the Cowboys have shared more information about their partnership.
Dallas coaches and quarterbacks have praised the STRIVR system for its practicality, simplicity, and viability. Backup quarterback Brandon Weeden and head coach Jason Garrett, a former NFL quarterback, have both shared their approval with the idea’s usefulness for players that are not starters. The two explained that the technology gives players the chance to go over film of the plays they participated in during practices as if they were still on the field, and with supporting players getting limited chances during practices, that extra time can prove to be crucial for success.
Since the Cowboys announced their partnership with STRIVR, the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles have also announced interest in the system. Head coach Chip Kelly, who is widely seen as one of the more progressive minds in the league, has stated interest in STRIVR as a tool for his team. Kelly, unlike the Cowboys, has been a lot more reluctant to share details of his interest but has explained that he found out about the technology at the NFL Combine and became interested enough to pursue talks with the company.
While the Cowboys are sitting relatively pretty at the quarterback position with Tony Romo who led the league in passer rating this past season, backup Brandon Weeden has a lot of ground to make up if he is to be expected to take over if needed. Weeden had strong seasons in college at Oklahoma State, but since being drafted in 2010, his performances have left a bit to be desired. The extra time with the STRIVR technology can allow Weeden to go over the minute details of every play he participates in during practices and meticulously break down all of the moving pieces to perfect his understanding. This critical analysis could be the push that a player like Weeden needs to make an impact if the situation presents itself.
The Cowboys rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, are another team jumping on the VR band wagon. But there situation is slightly different, and definitely more urgent. The Eagles currently have five quarterbacks on their roster, all of which are under the age of 29. The “veterans” of the staff are potential star Sam Bradford, who has been drastically limited in his career due to being injury-prone, and Mark Sanchez; the same guy who led the New York Jets to the AFC Championship in both of his first two NFL seasons, as well as having his “butt fumble” clip retired on ESPN after 40 weeks as the top play on the “Not-So Top 10”. After those two, Philly has the ever-debated Tim Tebow, former USC standout Matt Barkley, and second-year signal caller GJ Kinne. If any team’s stable of passers needs some alone time in a virtual reality system, the Philadelphia Eagles are toward the top of the list. While Bradford, Sanchez, and Tebow have proven capable of winning in the NFL, all five of the Eagles quarterbacks need work if any of them are going to propel the team to an above-average season.
While teams are seeking to improve their current quarterback situation with the technology, organizations like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are seeking to get ahead of the curve. The Bucs have made public their intentions on seeking out a virtual reality program for rookie quarterback and the first selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Jameis Winston. With the transition from college to the NFL being what kills the career of most quarterbacks, Tampa Bay has expressed that they have a desire to get a form of this technology to ease the transition and give Winston, whom they described as a “film junkie” in an interview with Fox Sports, tools to aid in his success in the process.
Like with most innovations in the league, now that one team has adapted to something, it won’t take long to follow. Before long, virtual reality training has a chance to be a staple in all of the NFL clubhouses. Stanford head coach David Shaw said that in a few years, he feels that teams without a technology like STRIVR will feel like they are missing out, or are at a disadvantage.
In a league where team success relies so heavily on finding a franchise quarterback and having him perform well, any tool that can improve performance has the potential to be invaluable. In cases like Romo’s or Bradford’s, a tool that allows players to run through plays virtually can double the reps in practice, while cutting potential contact in half, which could extend the career of an aging quarterback like Romo or protect the health of a an-often-injured Bradford.
While the STRIVR technology is intended to benefit the entire team, the promise for helping quarterbacks improve mentally on what is seen as the most cerebral position on a football field is incredibly exciting for sports fans and teams. As more teams adopt virtual reality measures into their training, coaches and spectators alike can expect to see a marked improvement in their squads of choice.
