The expectations of a quarterback seems to shift with every incoming draft class of quarterbacks. Naturally, there are presumptions based off of a players success in college or their influence on the team.But within the last 10 years, we are observing a new generation of dual-threat quarterbacks disturbing the league. After watching this NFL season, entering the league as a dual-threat quarterback weighs heavier than it used to. This is not the first season watching dual-threat quarterbacks, but watching the quarterback competition has been significant this season. The running quarterbacks are showing their individual impact in games facing strong passing quarterbacks. With the decade literally coming to an end, the era of pocket passing quarterbacks is coming to change.
There are dual threat quarterbacks in the league that have brought to attention the magnitude the run-game brings. The passer generation of quarterbacks will opt to pass the ball when under pressure over running it. There is no discrediting the pocket passers, when some of the most prevalent include Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Dan Marino, Drew Brees, John Elway. These passing quarterbacks shaped the expectations of the position with accuracy, focus, and composure. The dual threat quarterbacks are introducing their own expectations for their position as well. These running quarterbacks are expected to be running playmakers as well as maintaining the QB composure and focus.
Running quarterbacks like Michael Vick brought a league-wide shock with the impact he made. Michael Vick seemed to be reincarnated in Cam Newton, now Lamar Jackson is set to literally run through Michael Vick’s rushing record set at 1039 yards. Other able quarterbacks are starting to use their legs more to pick up yardage when the defense has the backfield on lock.
The emerging running QBs are offering healthy competition for the passers. One impact game this season was Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson defeating Tom Brady’s Patriots. Watching the Week 9 game felt like a new generation vs. old generation matchup.
The Patriots first few weeks included the Dolphins, Jets, Redskins, and an injured Steelers team; so it was expected that the Patriots would breeze through these games. But Brady still has a less than impressive squad of wide receivers this season: which is where the Patriots passing was challenged during the Ravens game. The Patriots were undefeated prior to this game.
In a 37-20 Ravens finish, Brady threw for 285 yds and Jackson threw for 163 yds. Brady threw for more yards, but Lamar Jackson maintained a QBR of 77.8 (Brady QBR 53.9). What made the biggest difference in the matchup was Lamar Jackson’s running ability. Both defenses had quite unforgiving performances, so getting the ball downfield was assisted by Lamar’s rushing.
For a comparison, a solid QB like Deshaun Watson has made an offensive impact by rushing for 300 yards in 13 games. Lamar has rushed for 977 yards and still going…
To preface, the QBR statistic is a more inclusive/accurate indicator of quarterback efficiency in comparison to calculating passer rating alone. However, (when evaluating passer rating alone) in perfect passer rating games, the odds of the game resulting in a loss are slim to none. Since 2003, in every single game that a quarterback maintained a perfect passer rating, the game resulted in a win. This is why the competition between a rushing quarterback and an accurate passing quarterback is so fascinating. The rushing quarterbacks are able to influence the outcome of a game the same way accurate passers are.
Many football experts that have studied the passing generation, have yet to realize the rushing impact of a quarterback. This may have been why Lamar Jackson had been so heavily underrated between the 2018 Draft and this season.
This video has all kinds of Lamar criticism.
The competition between the established passing quarterbacks new rushing generation has just begun; the future for quarterback competition is bright and Lamar Jackson is paving the way.
“You only get one shot at a second chance.”
Michael Vick
arseneausportsopinion.game.blog 