Strong Arm Tactics - A History and Statistical Analysis of the Professional Quarterback

Signal caller, gunslinger, field general--the quarterback goes by many lofty nicknames. It's arguably the toughest, most high-pressure position to play among all sports. The quarterback touches the ball on every offensive snap, is responsible for reading the defense, adjusting the play, and executing complex schemes that require tremendous physical and mental prowess. He is expected to be the undisputed team leader, whether he's an established veteran or an untested rookie. If he succeeds, he's the most likely player on the field to be canonized by fans and broadcasters. If he fails, he'll be vilified in the press and his home field fans will start cheering for the backup.
This book traces the interesting history of the professional quarterback, from the early years when the quarterback was a blocker (and the appellations quarterback, halfback, and fullback were literal and geographically correct) to the modern-day player who must be the eyes, ears, brains, and, of course, the accurate, strong arm of the offense. The narrative history in Section I is rich with statistical analysis. The author employs realistic metrics for statistical comparison across multiple eras, and includes all-time rankings as well as specific rankings among different styles of quarterbacks. Section II compares quarterbacks within their respective eras, putting their accomplishments in context with those of their contemporaries. Section III breaks down the quarterback position, team-by-team, for current NFL franchises. Appendices provide detailed passing records; additional statistics on everything from relative passer ratings to fourth quarter comebacks; and listings of first round draft picks, trades involving quarterbacks, awards, and uniform numbers.

List of contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     

Preface     

Introduction     

I. Quarterbacks in Context     

1. More Than Just a Live Arm     

2. The Ongoing Search     

3. Career Arc     

4. Glory     

5. Measures and Rankings     

6. Of Passing Interest: Miscellaneous Notes     

II. Quarterbacks in Time     

7. 1920-1932: Grounded     

8. 1933-1945: The Emerging T     

9. 1946-1949: The All America Football Conference     

10. 1946-1959: Taking Flight     

11. 1960-1969: The American Football League     

12. 1960-1977: Ball Control     

13. 1978-1993: Full Throttle     

14. 1994-2006: Air Time     

III. Quarterbacks by Team     

15. Arizona Cardinals     

16. Atlanta Falcons     

17. Baltimore Ravens     

18. Buffalo Bills     

19. Carolina Panthers     

20. Chicago Bears     

21. Cincinnati Bengals     

22. Cleveland Browns     

23. Dallas Cowboys     

24. Denver Broncos     

25. Detroit Lions     

26. Green Bay Packers     

27. Houston Texans     

28. Indianapolis Colts     

29. Jacksonville Jaguars     

30. Kansas City Chiefs     

31. Miami Dolphins     

32. Minnesota Vikings     

33. New England Patriots     

34. New Orleans Saints     

35. New York Giants     

36. New York Jets     

37. Oakland Raiders     

38. Philadelphia Eagles     

39. Pittsburgh Steelers     

40. St. Louis Rams     

41. San Diego Chargers     

42. San Francisco 49ers     

43. Seattle Seahawks     

44. Tampa Bay Buccaneers     

45. Tennessee Titans     

46. Washington Redskins     

Appendix A: Records (through 2006)     

Appendix B: Extended Passing Data     

Appendix C: Drafts, Trades, Awards, Numbers     

Bibliography     

Index     

About the author

John Maxymuk is a reference librarian at Rutgers University, living in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He has written poetry, book and movie reviews, travel pieces, feature articles in magazines, library-related articles in academic journals, and organizational newsletters. He has been the internet columnist for The Bottom Line: Managing Library Finances since 1997 and was the issue editor for the Notable Documents issue of Journal of Government Information for 10 years. He is listed in Contemporary Authors and in Who's Who in America.

Summary

Traces the history of the professional quarterback, from the early years when the quarterback was a blocker (and the appellations quarterback, halfback, and fullback were literal and geographically correct) to the modern-day player who must be the eyes, ears, brains, and, of course, the accurate, strong arm of the offense.

Product details

• Authors: John Maxymuk
• Publisher: McFarland
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2020
• EAN: 9781476685151
• ISBN: 978-1-4766-8515-1
• No. of pages: 362
• Dimensions: 178 mm x 254 mm x 20 mm
• Weight: 681 g
• Subject: Guides > Sport > Ball sport