Thread: 6.5 yards...

...is the average distance traveled in the air for every completed pass in the NFL last year. This according to NFLNetwork.

If the average is so short, is it possible that the actual importance of the QB position is a bit overrated? If you have a QB who makes very few mistakes and has weapons who can create big plays, does that stat prove those are more important than the physical specimen gun slinger?

No.

Short passes might be the average but watching Foles with the bombs last year were difference makers.

This isn't to disprove Assassin, because I agree with his conclusion that arm strength is rated above anticipation and awareness too often. But it's a pretty simple formula. The greater the arm strength, the closer a defender needs to be to a receiver in order to negate a receiver's separation. A stronger arm forces schematic compensation. Same with deep ball accuracy. These schematic changes relieve pressure closer to the LOS. It's why Seattle wasn't concerned about Manning in SB 48.

Originally Posted by Hawgdriver

This isn't to disprove Assassin, because I agree with his conclusion that arm strength is rated above anticipation and awareness too often. But it's a pretty simple formula. The greater the arm strength, the closer a defender needs to be to a receiver in order to negate a receiver's separation. A stronger arm forces schematic compensation. Same with deep ball accuracy. These schematic changes relieve pressure closer to the LOS. It's why Seattle wasn't concerned about Manning in SB 48.

I'm not stating i believe this to be true...simply trying to begin a discussion that is a bit outside of the current norm.

I like to ask questions and see what everyone thinks.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

No.

Show your work

I agree that arm strength is overrated. Same for 40 times and most every other measurable

Originally Posted by SmilinAssasSin27

Show your work

The importance of the quarterback is not overrated, even slightly.

I still think size, arm strength and pocket mobility (essentially having a specimen) are important characteristics of a good quarterback, but doesn't necessarily mean that person can be a good quarterback. There's only a finite number of people in this world who can be a top quarterback, five to 10 people at any given time.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

The importance of the quarterback is not overrated, even slightly.

I still think size, arm strength and pocket mobility (essentially having a specimen) are important characteristics of a good quarterback, but doesn't necessarily mean that person can be a good quarterback. There's only a finite number of people in this world who can be a top quarterback, five to 10 people at any given time.

Gold star

I think MO's inclusion of pocket mobility is perhaps the most important. Adding a couple seconds to a play and occasionally negating a pass rush while delivering from a mobile platform is incredibly difficult to negate from a defensive coordinator's point of view. This is the main reason why I think the Keenum signing is kosher.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

The importance of the quarterback is not overrated, even slightly.

I still think size, arm strength and pocket mobility (essentially having a specimen) are important characteristics of a good quarterback, but doesn't necessarily mean that person can be a good quarterback. There's only a finite number of people in this world who can be a top quarterback, five to 10 people at any given time.

I think he was mainly talking about arm strength, which is overrated when considering QB play. Mannings arm strength was medicore, for example.

Originally Posted by slim

I think he was mainly talking about arm strength, which is overrated when considering QB play. Mannings arm strength was medicore, for example.

So was that of Joe Montana and Kurt Warner. And Tom Brady's arm isn't as strong as some think.
Moreover, none of those guys had superior mobility. What is underrated, I think, is what exists
between the ears . . .

Originally Posted by topscribe

So was that of Joe Montana and Kurt Warner. And Tom Brady's arm isn't as strong as some think.
Moreover, none of those guys had superior mobility. What is underrated, I think, is what exists
between the ears . . .

Not just in football, but in life

Of course, this makes it hard to explain Big Ben.

Originally Posted by topscribe

So was that of Joe Montana and Kurt Warner. And Tom Brady's arm isn't as strong as some think.
Moreover, none of those guys had superior mobility. What is underrated, I think, is what exists
between the ears . . .

whoa...Montana and Warner had great mobility homes.