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Why QB is so important

Email|Link|Comments (2) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff August 20, 2008 08:26 AM

Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News writes his weekly newsletter and puts the spotlight on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and coach Jon Gruden's mindset that "quarterbacks are the lifeblood of this league."

Gosselin later breaks down statistics that reflect the importance of the position:

"The NFL's 32 primary starters at quarterback last season won a combined 54.9 percent of their starts. But when teams were forced to go to their second, third and in some cases even fourth options at the quarterback position, they didn't fare as well.

"Thirty-two backup quarterbacks in 2007 started a combined 141 games. They won only 55 times – a winning percentage of 39.0."

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2 comments so far...

That's a funny statistic. Why wasn't it broken down into starter v. starter, starter v. backup, backup v. backup? LOL. I mean, those backup wins could have come against other backups.

What about wins by backup QBs that Brooklyn Decker likes? Where's that statistic? I think Headcoaches should pay more attention to Brooklyn Decker when evaluating their backup QB

Posted by Patrick August 20, 08 11:47 AM

Two things really strike me from his article.

"Speaking of the Patriots, GM Scott Pioli has built a roster that annually ranks among the deepest in the NFL. That depth is already being tested this summer. The Patriots have placed two veteran offensive linemen (tackles Anthony Clement and Barry Stokes) on injured reserve and a third appears on the way in tackle Ryan O'Callaghan.'

First, When he says he thinks that Ryan O'Callaghan on his way to injured reserve is just scary to me. The depth on the O-Line is just being decimated. I haven't heard you say anything about that Mike.

"Looking sharp in training camp with the New England Patriots is second-round draft pick Terrence Wheatley, a cornerback from Colorado. He's not just competing for a roster spot – he's competing for a starting spot."

How many of your readers jumped all over that pick? I must be honest because I didn't see him as the second pick but I decided to wait and see what they saw in him. He'll be starting sooner than later. The front office deserves some props for this selection.

Posted by Sean, Montreal August 20, 08 12:03 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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