Spencer Petras Reflects on Manning Camp Experience

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Spencer Petras has finished some touring to study what he must do to have a extra constant senior season as Iowa’s quarterback.

Petras, in what coach Kirk Ferentz has known as an open competitors with Alex Padilla for the beginning job, went to the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana in late June, as a result of if you would like an schooling on what it takes to be a profitable quarterback, it is sensible to take heed to Archie and Payton and Eli Manning.

“Any time you’ll be able to spend time with three Corridor of Fame quarterbacks,” Petras mentioned, “you’re going to select up some stuff.”

It wasn’t a lot in regards to the bodily side of taking part in the place. Petras threw underneath the watchful eyes of the camp instructors, however what he realized extra got here from his personal eyes and ears.

Petras watched the actions and actions of Payton Manning — the depth, he mentioned, in how Manning approaches on-field instruction and off-field conferences.

“It was a variety of stuff I picked up, whether or not it was the way to watch movie higher or preparation, issues like that,” Petras mentioned.

However it was additionally about getting to fulfill different quarterbacks — guys like him who learn about what goes with being the beginning quarterback of your group, the reward that goes with the win, the lightning rod for criticism that goes with the loss.

“Simply being round different (school) quarterbacks was nice,” Petras mentioned. “I met a number of guys from the Huge Ten, I met some guys from throughout the nation that undergo among the identical stuff I do, which was actually cool.”

Petras desires solutions, whether or not it’s working with the Mannings, or with instruction from his private coach, Tony Racioppi, or with constructing a brand new and higher relationship with Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, who’s working with the quarterbacks for the primary time in his profession.

This summer time has been about attaining concord together with his means as a quarterback.

“Actually, my purpose is to be a balanced passer always,” Petras mentioned. “After I do this, I like the outcomes I’ve with my throws.”

Petras accomplished simply 57.3% of his passes final season, with 10 touchdowns towards 9 interceptions. These numbers should be higher if Iowa’s offense is to realize higher effectivity.

Racioppi has been a relentless voice for Petras, however the instruction is straightforward.

“Actually the one factor I’ve labored on once I’m down there’s consistency with my fundamentals, which I really feel have improved,” Petras mentioned.

There’s the steadiness between what Petras has been taught and what Ferentz desires in his quarterbacks. That, too, has been part of the educational curve of the summer time.

The touring for options is previous now. Now it’s as much as Petras to point out what he can do on Iowa’s campus.

“The massive factor, actually, is doing my work once I’m right here,” he mentioned.

If something, the summer time was helpful in exhibiting Petras that as a quarterback, what he faces is what others see and right here.

“It was nice realizing that everybody goes via the identical stuff,” he mentioned. “It’s not simply me. It was superior. It was a part of what made (the Manning academy) a particular weekend. It was simply that added bond — a brotherhood, if you’ll — being round guys like that.”