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I've been in the middle of a debate of sorts on Twitter regarding a specific QB. I won't rehash that discussion here, but the crux of the debate centers around a certain assertion. The assertion being made is that all of the successful starting QBs in recent memory (for arguments sake, let's call that in the past 10 years) share certain characteristics. Those characteristics are described as:
Elite athleticism
Equally dangerous whether passing or rushing
Powerful arm capable of threatening deep
In short, this describes the guys like Patrick Mahommes, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson.
Only a fool would argue that athleticism, speed, mobility, and the ability to make any throw on the field are not huge positives in a QB. But are they the only things that matter? And can QBs who lack some, or even all of these traits at an elite level still be highly successful QBs and franchise QBs? Proponents of these RPO/Dual-threat QBs argue that the NFL has changed. Traditionally cherished QB qualities such as passing accuracy, pocket awareness, ability to read a defense, sound decision-making, and efficiency seem to be pass'e.
What's the truth in 2021? Does the modern NFL QB position require those qualites, or is there room for and potential success in opting for a more traditional style of QB?
First of all, many who participate in this debate make a common mistake. They approach the discussion as a 'sucker's choice' argument - meaning in this case that they make it an 'either/or' proposition. Either a QB has these skills coveted in the modern QB, or they don't. That is hardly ever the case. Although the example QBs above may share some traits, they are hardly mirror images of each other. There is not a draft-eligible QB in the 2021 NFL draft who does not possess some athleticism, mobility, and ability to complete passes crisply. It is a matter of degree, relative ability, not a 'Yes' or 'No' trait checklist. You do not make it to an NFL draft list without having some of the best skills at your position anywhere.
If I am capable of completing 10 and 20 yd passes all day long, and I matriculate the ball down the field with precision, it that any less effective than the ability to hit a streaking WR 70 yards downfield? And if I'm able to deliver the ball to that streaking WR 70 yards downfield, does that mean I'm equally efficient hitting my intermediate WRs? Is that a given? If I am able to sense pocket pressure and make slight adjustments to buy time to hit an open receiver, is that any less effective than tucking away the ball and scampering for 7 or 8 yards?
Does the modern NFL require an explosive rushing threat, elite athleticism, and cannon for an arm in order to find success at QB today. And if so, how does one explain that a largely immobile, limited 43 year old QB is the one who took his marginally talented team to the Super Bowl and won it in 2020?
Some will say it is silly to bring a future HOFer, likely the greatest QB of all time, into the discussion, since, well, he's the greatest of all time. But the reason I bring it up is because he is still a dominant QB - and he possesses almost none of the supposedly 'must have' qualities many assert a QB has to have to be successful in the modern era. How do we explain his success?
Elite athleticism
Equally dangerous whether passing or rushing
Powerful arm capable of threatening deep
In short, this describes the guys like Patrick Mahommes, Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, Deshaun Watson, and Lamar Jackson.
Only a fool would argue that athleticism, speed, mobility, and the ability to make any throw on the field are not huge positives in a QB. But are they the only things that matter? And can QBs who lack some, or even all of these traits at an elite level still be highly successful QBs and franchise QBs? Proponents of these RPO/Dual-threat QBs argue that the NFL has changed. Traditionally cherished QB qualities such as passing accuracy, pocket awareness, ability to read a defense, sound decision-making, and efficiency seem to be pass'e.
What's the truth in 2021? Does the modern NFL QB position require those qualites, or is there room for and potential success in opting for a more traditional style of QB?
First of all, many who participate in this debate make a common mistake. They approach the discussion as a 'sucker's choice' argument - meaning in this case that they make it an 'either/or' proposition. Either a QB has these skills coveted in the modern QB, or they don't. That is hardly ever the case. Although the example QBs above may share some traits, they are hardly mirror images of each other. There is not a draft-eligible QB in the 2021 NFL draft who does not possess some athleticism, mobility, and ability to complete passes crisply. It is a matter of degree, relative ability, not a 'Yes' or 'No' trait checklist. You do not make it to an NFL draft list without having some of the best skills at your position anywhere.
If I am capable of completing 10 and 20 yd passes all day long, and I matriculate the ball down the field with precision, it that any less effective than the ability to hit a streaking WR 70 yards downfield? And if I'm able to deliver the ball to that streaking WR 70 yards downfield, does that mean I'm equally efficient hitting my intermediate WRs? Is that a given? If I am able to sense pocket pressure and make slight adjustments to buy time to hit an open receiver, is that any less effective than tucking away the ball and scampering for 7 or 8 yards?
Does the modern NFL require an explosive rushing threat, elite athleticism, and cannon for an arm in order to find success at QB today. And if so, how does one explain that a largely immobile, limited 43 year old QB is the one who took his marginally talented team to the Super Bowl and won it in 2020?
Some will say it is silly to bring a future HOFer, likely the greatest QB of all time, into the discussion, since, well, he's the greatest of all time. But the reason I bring it up is because he is still a dominant QB - and he possesses almost none of the supposedly 'must have' qualities many assert a QB has to have to be successful in the modern era. How do we explain his success?
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