:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55573419/usa_today_9964116.0.jpg)
Pretend you’re just about out of time to make your argument for Quarterback X, the star signalcaller for team Y, to a fan of team Z. You have 10 seconds to conclude your argument. It’s enough time, barely, to cite a single stat, one that might stick in your listener’s mind. One that might resonate, might at least establish a foothold somewhere instead of ending up as so much noise in a cacophonous world.
For all of passer rating’s faults, do you go with it? Or do you opt for something more advanced, like ANY/A, which is built on yards/attempt but then also docks for sacks? Or something more niche-like, that speaks to a trait you value above all others? Like ball protection or touchdown-making or completion percentage. Wait — are you sold on QBR? Does volume matter? Time’s up. Choose one.
Poll
If you have to go with just one stat for evaluating quarterbacks, because you’re pressed for time or space, what is that stat?
This poll is closed
-
16%
Adjusted Net Yards/Att, or ANY/A
(102 votes) -
4%
Completion percentage
(30 votes) -
11%
DYAR or individual DVOA
(72 votes) -
3%
Interception percentage
(24 votes) -
9%
Passer rating
(58 votes) -
7%
Passer rating + (adjusted for era)
(46 votes) -
1%
Points scored by offense
(7 votes) -
11%
QBR
(72 votes) -
1%
Total touchdowns
(7 votes) -
0%
Total yards
(5 votes) -
1%
Touchdown percentage
(7 votes) -
11%
Victories / W-L record
(75 votes) -
4%
Yards/Attempt, or Y/A
(26 votes) -
12%
Eye test. I know good QB play when I see it
(77 votes) -
4%
Other (please elaborate!)
(27 votes)
Clearly a good bit of QB analysis would consider all of the above, and maybe even more stats beyond the most commonly deployed ones. But today we’re interested in which bullet you fire if you’ve only got one left.