Game manager. What is that exactly?

[Earthling]

During the course of the season the term 'game manager' has been used frequently to describe certain QB's in the league; usually in a negative sense. I was curious if there is a consensus on just what the heck that means to people here.

To me a game manager isn't a bad thing. I see it as someone who tries to keep moving the chains, and if that takes three plays of 4 yard gains, be it running or passing, that's ok as long as the chains keep moving.

Of course if the team is down by several scores, or time becomes an issue, then longer chunks of yardage would be necessary. To me a game manager would recognize that fact and try to manage the game accordingly at that point.

What do you all think? And is the opposite of a game manager a game mis-manager?

[Predarat]

I do not want a 'game manager' QB, I prefer the 'athlete' QB.

[Earthling]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

The problem is people confuse elite guys as being high yardage guys.

Game managers burn more clock, keep the defense fresh, and are terrific at third down efficiency. I hate, hate, hate how this term has become a catch all for terrible qbs who play behind great defenses. Eli Manning and big Ben are at their best when they manage games, as long as we stop with the silly idea that great qbs prefer shootouts.

[Earthling]

Originally Posted by Predarat

I do not want a 'game manager' QB, I prefer the 'athlete' QB.

You don't think you can have both then?

[Mav]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

The problem is people confuse elite guys as being high yardage guys.

Game managers burn more clock, keep the defense fresh, and are terrific at third down efficiency. I hate, hate, hate how this term has become a catch all for terrible qbs who play behind great defenses. Eli Manning and big Ben are at their best when they manage games, as long as we stop with the silly idea that great qbs prefer shootouts.

I don't know about that one necessarily. Well, yes and no.

I see two of the more elite qbs, Brees and Brady, this year utilize more of the run games to control the game.

I think the game is evolving as it always does. Its cyclical like that.

It went through a crazy passing stage, now its centering more back to a balance type.

Don't believe me?

Look at the opposite ends of the spectrum of the two teams that are in the super bowl.

Russell Wilson is the premiere Game Manager in the league right now.

Matter of fact, the two qbs that were in the NFCCG are both Game Managers. In that, I don't really truly believe that they have the talent around them that if they have to REALLY come back down from 14+ that they can do it.

Tom Brady was in the same situation this year.

I think that a game manager as a negative term, is incorrect.

I call what Brees, and Brady this year, being game Dictators.

They dictate the pace of the game.

Where as someone like Aaron Rodgers, and Peyton Manning, are an all out assault force.

Alex Smith is trying to find his balance in that. I think he is becoming far more of a dictator than just a game manager type though.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Predarat

I do not want a 'game manager' QB, I prefer the 'athlete' QB.

So you wouldn't want Peyton, Drew, or Tom?

Ill take em. You can have the Vince Young, Colin Kaepernicks of the world.

[Mr. Laz]

Alex Smith and Russell Wilson are both game managers but since the Seattle defense kept playing well all year he ended up in the super bowl, while Smith ends up with a 1 and done.

[Jimmya]

1 and done for Smith. ....sad but true.

[bandwagonjumper]

I'm not sure I agree. He made some huge plays in the playoffs. The difference between Alex Smith and Russell Wilson is that when the game was on the line Russell made the plays and Alex didn't.

[Mr. Laz]

Alex Smith 2013 POSTSEASON GAME LOG			PASSING										RUSHING
DATE	OPP	RESULT	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	AVG	LNG	TD	INT	QBR	RAT	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
Sat 1/4	@ IND	L 44-45	30	46	378	65.2	8.22	79	4	0	81.9	119.7	8	57	7.1	16	0
POSTSEASON STATS			30	46	378	65.2	8.22	79	4	0	81.9	119.7	8	57	7.1	16	0

Russell Wilson 2013 POSTSEASON GAME LOG			PASSING										RUSHING
DATE	OPP	RESULT	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	AVG	LNG	TD	INT	QBR	RAT	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
Sat 1/11	vs NO	W 23-15	9	18	103	50.0	5.72	25	0	0	25.9	67.6	3	16	5.3	8	0
Sun 1/19	vs SF	W 23-17	16	25	215	64.0	8.60	51	1	0	38.9	104.6	5	0	0.0	3	0
POSTSEASON STATS			25	43	318	58.1	7.40	51	1	0	34.3	89.1	8	16	2.0	8	0

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by bandwagonjumper

I'm not sure I agree. He made some huge plays in the playoffs. The difference between Alex Smith and Russell Wilson is that when the game was on the line Russell made the plays and Alex didn't.

Alex Smith did more in 1 game than Russel did in 2 games.

[BossChief]

A game manager takes the easy route all of the time. He goes through progressions and finds the open man and gets the ball to him in a manner that requires throws that are very safe. At least 2/3 of his throws are check downs to the backs. His offense requires a balanced attack so that he has the advantage in the passing game of having the opposing safeties having to respect the run. Their production is a direct reflection of he talent around them. These types of players commonly take more sacks than average and throw the ball away a lot. Typically, they average right at 1td per game with somewhere around 200 yards passing per week.

A playmaking quarterback has the skills necessary to anticipate where receivers are going to be and to throw them open. He looks to his playmakers and finds ways to get the ball to them even when they are double teamed by being able to adjust his velocity, trajectory and placement of the ball to beat the double team and make the plays when the biggest moments are there to be made. A playmaking quarterback always has his eyes down the field looking for the big play and only settles for the "check down" as a last resort. A playmaking quarterback spends extra time with his receivers and tight ends to develop timing and chemistry and almost always knows where his guys are going to be and what they are thinking. A playmaker understands the strengths and weaknesses of the people he faces during games so that he can properly assess mismatches on the fly and adjust his blocking and move the pocket in an attempt to neutralize key elements of the opposing defense.

There are tons of other factors, but tats a nice start.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

Matter of fact, the two qbs that were in the NFCCG are both Game Managers. In that, I don't really truly believe that they have the talent around them that if they have to REALLY come back down from 14+ that they can do it.

Tom Brady was in the same situation this year.

Russell Wislon came back from being down 21 points against the Bucs this year.

Brady came back from being down 24 points against the Broncos.

[MAYHEM]

I dunno, you call it.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BossChief

A game manager takes the easy route all of the time. He goes through progressions and finds the open man and gets the ball to him in a manner that requires throws that are very safe. At least 2/3 of his throws are check downs to the backs. His offense requires a balanced attack so that he has the advantage in the passing game of having the opposing safeties having to respect the run. Their production is a direct reflection of he talent around them. These types of players commonly take more sacks than average and throw the ball away a lot. Typically, they average right at 1td per game with somewhere around 200 yards passing per week.

A playmaking quarterback has the skills necessary to anticipate where receivers are going to be and to throw them open. He looks to his playmakers and finds ways to get the ball to them even when they are double teamed by being able to adjust his velocity, trajectory and placement of the ball to beat the double team and make the plays when the biggest moments are there to be made. A playmaking quarterback always has his eyes down the field looking for the big play and only settles for the "check down" as a last resort. A playmaking quarterback spends extra time with his receivers and tight ends to develop timing and chemistry and almost always knows where his guys are going to be and what they are thinking. A playmaker understands the strengths and weaknesses of the people he faces during games so that he can properly assess mismatches on the fly and adjust his blocking and move the pocket in an attempt to neutralize key elements of the opposing defense.

There are tons of other factors, but tats a nice start.

You are describing a conservative QB. Not a game manager. The QB you described is often not nearly as good as advertised in game management because they create too many three and outs, and put the defense in lousy field position. The best game managers can grind out long drives, win time of possession, and are nails in third down situations. And I think it takes a good QB to play huddle offense versus trying to catch defenses off guard with a fast paced offense. They are true game managers because they are dictating the pace of the game. These types of qbs can also flex to what the game gives them. When Elis defense slips up, he can put up a 300 yard game.

Alex smith this first half of the year was poorly labeled as a game manager. His third down efficiency was not that good.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Russell Wislon came back from being down 21 points against the Bucs this year.

Brady came back from being down 24 points against the Broncos.

Definitely want calling Brady a game manager. Was taking about kap. Point noted on Wilson.