What are your qualifying factors for QB excellence?

[MahiMike]

Throw out the stats. Those are only as good as the receivers on the other end. Combine OL's ability to give him time + run game effectiveness, etc.

I measure a QB by body parts. He of course has to have a strong, accurate arm. He also has to have good eyes to see holes 40 yds away. His legs need to be agile enough to move him around in the pocket to get more time. But ahead of all that is his brain. It has to be able to decipher defenses, remember all his plays and hot reads. But it also needs to work at a speed above the defense. Of course, there's instinct that reigns over everything.

The only QB's I've seen have (most) all these qualities are Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger. Brady and Manning are pretty stiff but get away with it due their quick brains allowing them to get the ball out earlier than most. That SB between Ben and Warner was classic. They both took sacks but nobody slides around better in the pocket than Ben. BTW, I've seen some of these talents in Sanchez and McCoy.

I think Matt is getting close but he needs to work on his pocket movement. I think some of it goes back to the eyes. Peripheral vision is key.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

The only QB's I've seen have (most) all these qualities are Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger. Brady and Manning are pretty stiff but get away with it due their quick brains allowing them to get the ball out earlier than most. .

The fact that the top 4 guys are so different is what makes it interesting, and tough to predict QB success. Even Brees' and Rothlisberger's ability to make plays out of the pocket are completely different. Brees avoids contact. Ben's size enables him to break free from people grabbing at him and he can throw well while being hit.