Elite QB's: I'm There Says Matt Cassel

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by Dylan

You're wrong ... Stop it ... Just stop it. Quarterback interceptions can be deceiving. whoman69, come on - I expect you to know that.


Wall Street Journal: A Closer Look at Eli's Interceptions

Sept. 6, 2011

The Giants Quarterback Had Plenty of 'Help' in Recording a League-Leading 25 Picks Last Year; Tips, Poor Routes, Bad Luck

Manning threw for 4,002 yards in 2010, while recording career-highs in touchdowns (31), completion percentage (62.9) and completions (339). No one was more productive on first down than the Giants, no one threw more touchdowns of 20 or more yards, and even his critics acknowledge Manning is among the league's best at reading defenses and setting protections in both the run and pass game.

Only 14 of Manning's 2010 interceptions were solely on him. To be sure, other quarterbacks are also victimized by poor route-running, tipped balls, good defense and bad luck, but Manning's exceptionally high interception total wouldn't have happened without so many issues beyond his control.


Take a look:

No. 1 — 1st quarter, 11:10, 2nd and 18 at NYG 36, 0-0
Receiver Hakeem Nicks sets out on an in cut. When the free safety crashes the slot receiver, Nicks is forced inside the yard numbers, instead of outside. That takes him out of the spot Manning throws to and when the ball is therefore a bit behind him, it glances off his hands and into safety Charles Godfrey's. Nicks needs to straighten up, work his way back outside the numbers and then cut in.
Blame: RECEIVER

No. 2 — 2nd quarter, 9:32, 3rd and 20 at NYG 47, NYG 7-6
With Carolina in a Tampa-2 and his receivers covered, Manning properly checks down to wide-open running back Ahmad Bradshaw—who doesn't catch the totally catchable ball and instead tips it to linebacker James Anderson.
Blame: RECEIVER


Here is the rest of Eli Manning's game by game interception breakdown:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...658719968.html

Every QB has that and it sounds a little like the excuse that the QB can't throw the ball and catch it too. Its not the first time Eli has led the league in picks. In your examples, if you wan't to blame a receiver that is force out of his route and the ball is behind him, Matt Cassel has never thrown a pick that was his fault. Eli was not considered an elite QB despite his statements otherwise, which were largely derided by the media. Any other view is 50/50 hindsight.