When it comes to quarterback play, especially in the NFL,
there are four major traits and style of play that separates certain
quarterbacks from others. These traits are what allow a quarterback to affect the
game on a larger scale then than their peers. These are traits that allow a
quarterback to excel in plays that others would be forced to give up on. A
quarterback can hold more than one of these traits while others may have a
slight ability but isn’t great enough with those traits to be considered
someone that possess it.
The four traits are:
Elite Field General
This type of quarterback is accurate, great at reading defenses, gets rid of the ball quick due to that, throws with anticipation, looks off the safety, pump fakes the safety to create spacing downfield for his targets, has full power to change plays or routes at the line of scrimmage, and can quickly get through his progressions. These type of quarterbacks knows where all of their check downs are and are good at knowing when to push the ball downfield vs. killing a defenses underneath in order to loosen them up. They are also good in the running game when it comes to making audiles or adjusting where the direction of the run and blocking scheme will go based on the defensive look.
These quarterbacks work with the lien at setting up the protection, picking up blitzes, and finding their hot reads in anticipation of blitzes. Their complete mastery of NFL defenses and of their teams playbook allows them to execute a no huddle offenses flawlessly, but only if their teammates are also comfortable in the offense. They also tend to have very good mechanics which allows them to be consistent.
These guys are very good at stepping up in the pocket to extend the play instead of stepping out of the play. It allows the play to continue in its rhythm without it breaking down. These guys are transcendent because even if the defense has the right call for the offensive play, these guys can elevate the offense by changing the play pre-snap. It can also happen by them being quick to find a weakness in the defense by either going through their progression to find that guy or identifying that guy pre-snap.
One weakness is that some of these guys aren’t that mobile, although, it’s usually not always a problem. In some cases it can be difficult for the field general to make a play if the defense has the schematic advantage and covers all the receiving outlets, even with changes at the line of scrimmage. Obvious examples of these quarterbacks are Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-0zf4U5Hks
Click this link of Peyton Manning’s game vs. the Cardinals in 2013 to see the clinic he put on.
Play Extender
These are the guys that can create mostly by getting out of the pocket. When the play breaks down, they can extend the play and find someone open or throw someone open, usually from difficult throwing platforms. Their decisions in the pocket as it pertains to reading defenses and audiles are pretty good, but their playmaking abilities separates them from other types of quarterbacks and is usually attributed to their added athleticism.
Due to their athleticism compared to some pocket passing field generals, they can choose to make up for good defense by extending the play post snap rather than always changing the play pre-snap. Some play extenders can rely too much on this style of play that they are not willing to play on script enough. Sometimes, they end up taking bad sacks or fumbling while hit because they hold on to the ball too long, trying to make a play. Examples of these are Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Patrick Mahomes.
Dual Threats
These guys usually have very good arm talent and they can kill you with their legs. Their running ability goes beyond picking up a first down with a 6 yard run when no one is around. These guys usually have great speed that can outrun NFL caliber defenders. They can juke off defenders or have enough strength to lay punishment to the defender like a running back.
The skill set of burning an opponent with arm and legs presents majors issues for defenses. It allows the play to pick up big yards downfield, especially against man coverage. Also, it allows the coaching staff to use more pistol formations and to use read option plays in the offense. It further puts stress on a defense and for a defensive coordinators when game planning.
The concern with guys is with longevity due to the cumulative punishment of getting hit. Also, some of these either deal with consistently throwing the football accurately or with reading complex coverages. It’s usually not a lack of ability, but a lack of commitment to it because their dual threat abilities tends to reduce to incentive to improve on those other attributes. That over reliance on physical talent can sometimes plague even the play extenders and gunslingers. Some of these quarterbacks are Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick.
Gunslingers
These are guys that are usually pure passers. They can make every type of pass across the field, and usually effortlessly. They don’t always require great mechanics and can launch bombs from the flick of the risk. These are traits that can be found with QBs from the other traits. These quarterbacks throw with great velocity that can allow them to fit passes into tight windows and tight coverages. It allows them to still beat defenses even when the coverage is correct. They also put strain on the defense vertically, horizontally, inside the numbers, and outside the numbers. They can throw a 30 yard seam route in the middle of the field on a rope to a tight end.
The issue with these guys is with their over reliance on their arm talent. Their likeliness to force passes in tight windows can lead to interceptions. Some of them are unwilling to check it down or don’t know the right time to check it down and be a game manager. They’re usually not always willing to take underneath routes that can force defenses to play tight that way they can then kill them over the top.
Due to their arm talent, some of them don’t put in the work to be field generals that can consistently dissect defenses. Some of them also have issues with sloppy mechanics since the incentive to have tight mechanics, throwing motion, and footwork isn’t high due to them getting away with some of their throws due to talent. An example is Brett Favre.
Bottom Line
Possessing these traits does not make one a franchise quarterback since one might posses more negative aspect of the traits than the positive aspect of the traits. The quarterbacks that can excel with one of these traits but eliminate or minimize the bad aspects are usually those that are considered transcendent. Quarterbacks that excel with these type of traits give their team a chance to succeed when the team is out-schemed in a play.
