Before checking the special task rewards, I didn't rush. Instead, I calmed down and thought carefully about how the task was completed. Not for the next task, but to interpret the game.
The special task had three requirements. Leading the offense to score and winning the game on my own were easy to understand, but what about defeating Geno Atkins?
In the entire game today, I was sacked a total of four times. Two of them happened before the special task appeared, and two happened afterward. But after the special task appeared, the performance of the offensive line actually improved.
I remember that after Atkins rushed forward, I used my legs to evade the sack and completed the pass. This only happened once. Literally speaking, the special task requirement was only completed once, so what about the other two times?
"Little Seven, can I assume that Atkins tried to rush, but I read the defense and made arrangements for the offensive line, which effectively blocked the opponent's rush, and that also counted as completing the task?" I thought about it seriously and came up with my hypothesis.
"Yes," Little Seven gave a positive answer.
Although Little Seven didn't explain further, I had confirmed my idea.
For a quarterback, directly confronting a defensive player is not their way of playing. Even for mobile quarterbacks, a quarterback's job is to pass the ball, and confronting the defensive line is the offensive line's job. So, how does a quarterback confront the defense?
Defensive reading, offensive formation, and tactical arrangements. A quarterback uses their observation and intelligence to effectively use the advantages of their teammates to intercept defensive players and organize an effective protective pocket. Then, through the running routes of the receivers and the combination of different tactics, they lead the team to advance.
As the team's brain, a quarterback's physical strength is important. When the pocket is broken, their room for resistance is very limited, so their ability to take a hit is indeed important. But what's more important is their tactical mindset, tactical awareness, and crisis perception.
Through the offensive line's arrangements, a quarterback can block the defensive line's rush. Through the design of short passing tactics, a quarterback can complete an advance before the defense can launch an effective confrontation. By anticipating misdirection tactics, they can completely disrupt the defensive formation and then lead the team to continue advancing.
A truly top-tier, smart quarterback can stand in the pocket and complete all offensive plays without any physical contact, like a cannon. This is the true essence of a team's brain.
Even after the new generation of mobile quarterbacks has emerged, traditional pocket quarterbacks still hold a dominant position in the league. This is the most direct manifestation of that. The twenty thousand tactical arrangements are far more complex than people imagine.
Of course, this is only for "top-tier" quarterbacks. For most average quarterbacks, they don't have the ability to read the defense and anticipate in advance, so they need a stronger tactical system. They need to effectively use the offensive line through the offensive coach's arrangements, or, even simpler, they need top-tier offensive linemen to provide them with solid pocket protection.
In today's game, I successfully built a pocket for myself that wasn't solid but was effective. Especially in the fourth quarter, several successful misdirection plays completely destroyed the Bengals' defensive formation, and then I was able to open up the distance and win the game easily.
So, I had completed the special task. I had gotten the upper hand in the confrontation with Atkins.
It's very interesting to re-interpret the special tasks every week. Now, I have a further understanding of my shortcomings. After the game, I had a few different upgrade plans in my mind.
First, I definitely need to improve my physical fitness. One is speed, two is strength, and three is explosive power. When the pocket is broken, I need to be able to evade the first sack as much as possible. Otherwise, my 71-point ball-carrying ability and 70-point running and passing ability will have no room to be used. Even if I can't evade it, I still need to improve my physical confrontation ability to avoid potential injuries.
Not getting injured today doesn't mean I won't get injured next time.
Second, I need to improve my play-action passing and ball-protection abilities. These two stats are currently a mess. The former is 45 points, and the latter is 59 points. In today's game, I lost possession once because of these two skills.
In a football game, every turnover can be fatal.
Third, I still need to improve my tactical awareness and observation. This was a revelation brought by today's special task.
In fact, these two stats are pretty good. My tactical awareness is 75 points, and my observation is 70 points. Both are at the average level. Originally, I thought these scores were enough and I didn't need to worry about them for now. But after today's game, especially after the special task, I realized that I'm still a ways away from being an excellent quarterback, and I need to improve further.
The problem now is that I can put all my points into physical fitness, but the improvement of my quarterback-specific skills will slow down. The result is obvious:
My physical confrontation ability would improve, but my quarterback-specific skills would slow down. During the game, I wouldn't be able to open up the situation effectively with my quarterback skills, and I would face more hits. Although my physical fitness would improve and I would be able to withstand these hits, the team still wouldn't be able to advance or win.
It would be like a turtle shell. The opponent can't break through, and I can't break through either.
On the contrary, if I focus on improving my quarterback-specific skills, I can open up the situation with tactical arrangements and passing skills, and advance before the opponent breaks through the pocket. But the game is ever-changing. If the opponent breaks through in time and there is a physical confrontation, the dilemma I faced in today's game will continue.
This is a trade-off. There is no absolute good or bad, only a relative priority. However, I can't be sure to what extent my tactical awareness and observation skills need to be improved before I can truly control the game and avoid the disadvantage of physical confrontation.
There are three different upgrade plans, three different directions, and they will also lead to different results. This is a difficult choice.
I took a deep breath. I didn't rush to upgrade. Instead, I first accepted my special task rewards, "Points Ticket +1, Unknown Special Skill Pack +1." I first opened the latter, which I was familiar with. After Absolute Footwork and Bullet Time, I had a certain understanding of the special skill pack.
With a crisp "ding," Little Seven's voice came over. "Congratulations on getting the special skill, 'Copper Skin and Iron Bones.' Uses left: 3/3."
This was a brand-new special skill. I wasn't too surprised. I opened the drop-down menu and started reading the skill description. Compared to Bullet Time, this skill was much simpler.
It was literally what it meant. Copper Skin and Iron Bones. When faced with a hard hit or a sack, I could use this skill to put my body into a peak state. I wouldn't be afraid of any form of hit or confrontation. Not only would I not get injured, but I also wouldn't feel any side effects.
This meant that I had three chances to let an opponent hit me without any worries. But what quarterback would be so stupid as to stand still and wait for an opponent to hit them? The only possibility is when the pocket is completely compressed or broken, and the quarterback has nowhere to run. They are forced to take a sack, and at that moment, "Copper Skin and Iron Bones" can be used.
But there was a flaw. "Little Seven, this isn't a passive skill. It's an active skill. If I get sacked, how will I have time to summon the skill?" Everything happens in a flash. All of a quarterback's attention is on passing, and it's impossible to notice the appearance of a defensive player, especially a sack from the blind side.
"Mind over matter." Little Seven seemed to sense my helplessness. After a simple explanation, it added, "When you feel the hit, as long as you summon the special skill, all the impact will be canceled, and your body won't feel any pain."
"Then... why not just make it a passive skill?" I asked further. That way, I could pass the ball however I wanted without having to worry about my blind side.
"In an offense, some hits can be avoided, but because of carelessness or mistakes, sacks and hits happen. In these situations, you can choose whether or not to use the special skill. If it were a passive skill, it would be a waste of an opportunity," Little Seven said, showing patience for once and explaining all my doubts.
I suddenly understood. In simple terms, it was about using a good thing where it was most needed. If it were a passive skill, I wouldn't have a choice. Maybe it would be a sack from the right side, and I could try to use my footwork to evade the sack. On the other hand, if it was an active skill, I could use it instantly when I got hit from the blind side.
Absolute Footwork is a passing skill without any worries, while Copper Skin and Iron Bones is a way to make up for a mistake at the moment of a sack.
I have to say, if used correctly, Copper Skin and Iron Bones could have an unexpectedly good effect in a game. I already had a few ideas for how to use it.
"So, there's no time limit?" I asked further.
"It's only limited by the number of hits. There is no time limit," Little Seven's answer reassured me.
In today's game, during the second sack, I was sacked by two defensive players at the same time. If I had Copper Skin and Iron Bones, the game situation would have been different. Also, there's no time limit, which means I don't have to worry about a second hit, whether it's intentional or not.
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