Warning-long post.
Something interesting about these endless debates about Dak makes me wonder how people can use hypocrisy to justify their own take on the QB position. On the one hand, a QB is extremely valuable (hardest and most important position to play on the field), and teams will fall over themselves for even decent QB play. On the other hand, you must acknowledge how much this is a team game and cannot place much blame on the QB in a loss. We do a ton of back and forth on QB production-this stat shows the QB is producing at a high level-this one shows poor aptitude etc. Can QB production be differentiated from their surrounding cast?
This last question is the most important question I can think of in this debate. It’s basically impossible to answer for anyone including all the professionals in NFL front offices. All anyone can really do is see results on the field per play to get an idea of what a QB is doing on each play (what they did well and what they did not).
Do QB’s have the ability to greatly impact the outcomes of games in wins/losses column? Yes, but the outcome of each game are tied to so many variables-so why is it so important to have a great QB?
In my opinion, it starts with not turning the ball over-either by fumbling on the play or throwing an interception. The next component is mental clarity (processing)-the ability to follow scheduled protocol and when to go off-script (and what you do in off-scripted plays). That also ties into the part about not turning the ball over and also when to take calculated risks. Natural talent, instincts, and foundational tendencies (including throwing mechanics) are typically big pieces of great play but are not big separators like the next quality. The composure and temperament of a QB under duress and in difficult situations is the biggest separator to me and the most nebulous.
This last one is very difficult to diagnose. You watch a QB make certain decisions under duress and try to make sense of it. The problem is that every QB will make poor decisions with the ball under duress. The big separator (in the biggest games) is how many big mistakes the QB makes under duress compared to making positive or neutral plays under duress (and making more positive than neutral plays). More games makes it easier to make judgements just because of increased sample size-and the appearance of trends.
What makes an elite QB? How many does the league have right now? Why do you consider them elite and not others?
I believe the league has two elite QBs (Mahomes and Burrow) and Josh Allen depending on the day. Most QB’s have not even been in the league for more than 6 seasons and the jury is still out. I’m of the belief that these elite QB’s can win with a supporting cast that is less talented than the other QB’s. I also believe that many NFL QB’s are only able to go as the surrounding talent goes-that is to say that if a team goes 5-12 or 12-5 with a QB, another QB would likely do the same (within a game or two).
I think fans and media get too caught up in the QB vs QB matchups because of hype and marketing material. To me, most QB’s are of similar ability with regards to actually impacting the win and loss column. How do you feel about that though-do you think there are more large differences with the QB population of the NFL?
The premise is a bus driving quarterback?. Aren't they all in a way?????
