With running backs, if a guy averages 5.0 yards per carry, we tend to say, “that guy’s good; they should give him the ball more.” And it’s the same with wide receivers. If a player is averaging 18.0 yards per catch, it makes you think they should pass to him more often. But for whatever reason, we tend to ignore yards per attempt with quarterbacks.
Maybe ignore isn’t the right word. It is, after all, one of the equally weighted categories that factors into determining the NFL’s “passer rating”. But it’s not one we talk or care too much about.
But it’s a meaningful and noteworthy stat. And as I look at the 2014 numbers, I can’t help but feel Ryan Fitzpatrick is a little underrated. He’s a veteran; he’s started for various teams and improved as his career has progress. He’s a smart guy – an Ivy League. And he performed pretty well for the Texans last year, at least at times.
Fitzpatrick, in fact, averaged almost 8 yards per attempt. That was 4th-best in the league among guys with at least 300 attempts. The only three guys ahead of him all have huge contracts – Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger.
Fitzpatrick, most notably, averaged more yards per attempt than Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.
I’m not saying Fitzpatrick should have gone to the Pro Bowl. But he’s got some ability, and I’m intrigued that he’ll probably be starting at some point for the Jets, who have assembled a pretty nifty receiving corps (Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Devin Smith and Jace Amaro).
Fitzpatrick. Think about it.
| QUARTERBACKS -- YARDS PER ATTEMPT | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Att | Yards | YPA |
| Tony Romo, Dall. | 435 | 3,705 | 8.52 |
| Aaron Rodgers, G.B. | 520 | 4,381 | 8.43 |
| Ben Roethlisberger, Pitt. | 608 | 4,952 | 8.14 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick, Hou. | 312 | 2,483 | 7.96 |
| Peyton Manning, Den. | 597 | 4,727 | 7.92 |
| Mark Sanchez, Phil. | 309 | 2,418 | 7.83 |
| Andrew Luck, Ind. | 616 | 4,761 | 7.73 |
| Russell Wilson, Sea. | 452 | 3,475 | 7.69 |
| Brian Hoyer, Clev. | 438 | 3,326 | 7.59 |
| Philip Rivers, S.D. | 570 | 4,286 | 7.52 |
| Drew Brees, N.O. | 659 | 4,952 | 7.51 |
| Matt Ryan, Atl. | 628 | 4,694 | 7.47 |
| Eli Manning, NYG | 601 | 4,410 | 7.34 |
| Teddy Bridgewater, Minn. | 402 | 2,919 | 7.26 |
| Joe Flacco, Balt. | 554 | 3,986 | 7.19 |
| Matthew Stafford, Det. | 602 | 4,257 | 7.07 |
| Andy Dalton, Cin. | 481 | 3,398 | 7.06 |
| Tom Brady, N.E. | 582 | 4,109 | 7.06 |
| Colin Kaepernick, S.F. | 478 | 3,369 | 7.05 |
| Alex Smith, K.C. | 464 | 3,265 | 7.04 |
| Cam Newton, Car. | 448 | 3,127 | 6.98 |
| Nick Foles, Phil. | 311 | 2,163 | 6.95 |
| Geno Smith, NYJ | 367 | 2,525 | 6.88 |
| Ryan Tannehill, Mia. | 590 | 4,045 | 6.86 |
| Jay Cutler, Chi. | 561 | 3,812 | 6.80 |
| Kyle Orton, Buff. | 447 | 3,018 | 6.75 |
| Josh McCown, T.B. | 327 | 2,206 | 6.75 |
| Blake Bortles, Jac. | 475 | 2,908 | 6.12 |
| Derek Carr, Oak. | 599 | 3,270 | 5.46 |
—Ian Allan