Impressive QB research

This article is about my team but I think it applies to any team looking for a QB. It may be completely meaningless but he concludes if you want a consistent, sustained success at the QB position, you are probably going to need to draft your QB.

You may find it interesting.

My favorite line Since the Cardinals didn't play last night, this column will probably be my most clear and succinct, primarily because Derek Anderson didn't drive me to drink at all yesterday.

The Basics:

* As previously referenced, there have been 120 playoff teams between 2000-2009 (10 years). 12 playoff teams every year, 10 years -- simple math.
* In another bit of shocking information, 120 playoff teams have 120 starting quarterbacks. You know, since each team had to have a starting quarterback.
* Of those 120 quarterbacks, there were 63 repeat playoff performers, leaving us with 57 different signal callers.
* For purposes of my investigation, repeat performers are guys who started multiple times for the same playoff team. Think Peyton Manning or Donovan McNabb.
* The key for this column is the method of acquisition for the playoff team -- meaning a guy like Drew Brees counts twice among the 57 because the Chargers drafted him and the Saints signed him as a free agent.

Draftees:

* 26 of our 57 heroes were drafted by the team they took to the playoffs. I counted Phillip Rivers and Eli Manning in this category since they were draft day swaps for each other in 2004.
o 17 of the 26 were first round picks.
o Five were second round picks.
o One was a third round pick -- Chris Simms with Tampa Bay in 2005.
o One was a fourth round pick -- David Garrard (Jacksonville). Fourth rounder Kyle Orton was the primary starter for the playoff bound Bears in 2005 but was benched late in the year when Rex Grossman returned from injury.
o Two were sixth round picks -- Marc Bulger (St. Louis) and Tom Brady (New England) -- in the same year.

Much more: http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-cardinals/2010/11/29/1841779/arizona-cardinals-search-for-nfl-quarterbacks

Because you know, Heath Shuler, Patrick Ramsey, and Jason Campbell worked out so well for the Redskins. I think saying you have to draft a good QB is a bit of an oversimplification here. I think since almost no QB is healthy for the entire year the successful teams have young draft choices and older vets most likely signed as free agents.

Very good free agent QBs only last so long while drafted successful QBs can help your team for a long time. It mentions the Akili Smiths (I actually had a friend who knew him) to off-set his point. It is somewhat of a simplification because it does only focus on one position and the playoff appearances.

Campbell improved the last couple of years for Washington. I really, really wish Arizona got him. They really fell asleep on the many QBs that switched teams this off-season but somehow settled with Anderson. Now there are rumors they are eying Bulger for the off-season. I don't get this team.

On edit-I'm not saying I necessarily agree with his conclusions. It is just that I find this kind of research impressive.

(thats a compliment coming from a scientist by trade btw). I'm just saying I think its not an black and white issue...you need both to succeed (unless you are really lucky with a Favre (of three years ago) or Manning.

He posted a link to Advanced NFL stats and I'm hooked to that website. Can't get enough.

I agree it is simplistic and you reminded me about Farve, who Green Bay acquired through a trade and got many years with him. That is one way to go as well. Either way getting a great QB early could set your team up for a long time.

Cooper Manning (the oldest son) was a hot high school prospect but was diagnosed with a spinal condition that ended his playing days. My brother met him on a business trip in New Orleans, and said he was a very funny guy.

is that most top QB's don't make it to free agency, which is why teams tend to have more success with drafted QB's. The only time when a good, quality QB ever tests the market is when a team pushes them out to make room for a cheaper quality replacement (Rodgers taking over for Favre, Rivers taking over for Brees). Even Warner was the backup in NY (if I remember right) before coming to Arizona, where he started out as Leinart's backup.

That is a major flaw with this. Warner didn't outright win the job til the last Pre-Season game of the 2008 season. It was his best season since he was with the Rams. He also closed out the 2007 season when Leinart got hurt and finished the season 8-8.

You're exactly right though.

• you have a long-range plan in mind built around that QBs skill set and will craft an offense and draft other players to make the most of it

• your are not basing your decisions solely on meaningless stats like "arm-strength" or running speed

• you are not basing your decision solely on the success a player had in college

• you remember that defense wins games