This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As the NFL playoffs resume Saturday, nobody will be watching quarterbacks Drew Brees and Tom Brady as closely as Tom House.
Most of us care only about whether or not their passes are caught. House wants to see exactly how the ball is delivered.
As a former major league pitcher and biomechanics expert, House has worked extensively with Brees, Brady and other NFL quarterbacks. The principles of the throwing motion translate easily from baseball to football. House's dual-sport work will come into play in a camp he's staging with former BYU quarterback John Beck for young pitchers and quarterbacks Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at Pine View High School in the St. George area (for information, email 3Dthrowingcamps@gmail.com).
The three-dimensional motion analysis involved in House's study is intriguing, but what's more remarkable to me is how much Brees and Brady care about the details of their craft. As good as they are at throwing the football, they're continually seeking to improve through this scientific approach.
They're looking for every edge, even an upgrade of 1 or 2 percent, according to House. "The really elite guys are trying to get better every day of their life," he said. "They're relentless."
Brees, whose New Orleans Saints visit Seattle in an NFC divisional playoff game Saturday, first worked with House when he was coming back from shoulder surgery. Once Brees completed his medical rehabilitation, House went to work on his throwing motion. The results, including a Super Bowl victory, have been impressive.
Brady, whose New England team hosts Indianapolis on Saturday in an AFC game, became acquainted with House through former Patriots teammate Matt Cassel and has remained a devoted student.
Beck, 32, was out of the NFL this season after having started games for Miami and Washington since completing his BYU career in 2006 and now works with House. "If I could have learned some of this stuff when I was a freshman in college, it would have made an impact," said Beck, who's No. 2 on BYU's career passing-yards list.
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