How Do NFL Quarterbacks Get The Ratings? Explained

Although the present NFL Rating system has been in use since 1973, there have been several modifications made to it. The method dates back to the early 1930s when total passing yards were the only statistic recorded. Over time, the list’s statistics were added to or removed; certain years examined a total of six numbers, while other years relied just on one figure.

How Do NFL Quarterbacks Get The Ratings? Explained

The main issue with these outdated schemes is that, in order for them to make sense, they were all predicated on the stats of previous quarterbacks. Put another way, rather than rating each quarterback individually, the quarterbacks were all evaluated against the group.

There is an annual mystery that exposes the flaws in the quarterback rating system.

According to NFL.com, the current system of rating NFL quarterbacks was first standardized by the league in 1973 for the following reason: “The current system, which was adopted in 1973, removes inequities that existed in the former method and, at the same time, provides a means of comparing passing performances from one season to the next.”

Yet even with this effort to “remove inequities” is marked with fallacies as even the article goes on to say: “It is important to remember that the system is used to rate passers, not quarterbacks. Statistics do not reflect leadership, play-calling, and other intangible factors that go into making a successful professional quarterback.”

Don Smith held an executive position in the NFL Pro Hall of Fame in 1971. Being an expert in statistics, Smith started developing a system that would solely grade quarterbacks according to their performance. The new method was implemented in 1973 and yields a score that is approximately on a range of zero to 150.

It is based on four primary variables (see sidebar) of a passer’s game. The ability to apply the new method retrospectively to all earlier participants is another benefit. This enables the National Football League to make comparisons between quarterbacks who played in the early years of the game and those who do so now.

(Passes caught divided by Passes attempted) -.30 multiplied by.05 multiplied by 100 is the percentage of completions per attempt. The allowable maximum result is 2.375.

(Total passing yards divided by passes attempted) – 3 multiplied by.25 is the average yards gained per attempt. The allowable maximum result is 2.375.

The highest result is 2.375. Touchdown pass percentage is calculated as (touchdowns thrown divided by passes attempted) multiplied by.2.

The percentage of interceptions is calculated as follows: (interceptions thrown divided by passing attempts) multiplied by.25, multiplied by 100, and then subtracted from 2.375. The quarterback receives a zero in this category if, according to NFL.com, the result of interceptions thrown divided by passing attempts is 9.5 or greater. This is as a result of.25 multiplying by 9.5 equals 2.375 and by subtracting this result you would arrive at zero).

Errors in this formula (apart from the integrity and expertise the NFL indicates):

1. Receivers who dropped throws and touchdowns.

2. Interceptions brought about by deflections (such a ball bouncing out of the receiver’s hands) in which the deflection was not the result of a quarterback error.

3. Gives quarterbacks yardage depending only on the ability of the receiver, not the quarterback (i.e., the receiver’s ability to produce yards alone).

4. Sack yards on throwing, which might result from an offensive line breakdown or a quarterback issue, both of which have a negative impact on passing yards (a line breakdown shouldn’t have an impact on the quarterback).

5. Penalties resulting from the quarterback (unintentional grounding, delay of game, etc.) (Do penalty yards or penalty plays count as negative yardage or an attempt?)

6. (Why should the quarterback be penalized for mistakes made by other players?) (In baseball, see “unearned runs”).
In other words, even according to the NFL, a fan’s perception of a quarterback’s skill level cannot always be determined by their quarterback rating, which is far from perfect.

This implies that the rating system may be used by the typical football fan to compare current players to both current and former players. You may examine a quarterback’s throwing performance as objectively as possible by utilizing hard, quantitative metrics like touchdowns and completion percentage.

The fact that a quarterback has little influence over a significant portion of the rating is another point raised by the system’s detractors. Even if the quarterback throws ten spectacular passes and eight of them are intercepted by the receiver, he will still only be credited with two completions out of ten. Some fans believe there could be a better way to chart outcomes, even if such data would be difficult to calculate.

https://twitter.com/bobbybaltimoree/status/1716145372031029718

One such proposal would look at the overall points scored in the game that the quarterback was accountable for, as well as average out the four numbers to give them a comparable value.

But for now, it appears that this system is the most stable one to date. The information utilized is real and covers the main facets of a passer’s work. It is challenging to single out one player in any team sport without taking into account the efforts of their colleagues.

A quarterback’s rating can be negatively impacted by a poor team that lacks receivers, just as it can be improved by a strong squad.

Therefore, even if Don Smith’s scheme may not always be perfect and supporters may occasionally voice their disapproval, it still stands as the gold standard for quarterbacks and most likely will for many more seasons to come.

 

 

 

FOR MORE SPORTS OVERAGE- 

The Sphere In Las Vegas: Everything You Need To Know