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The New Orleans Saints need to go for “upside” at quarterback

By Justin Dunbar

Aug 9, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis (left) talks with Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis (left) talks with Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Mobile Quarterbacks Are Less Replaceable

A common pushback against the new playstyle of more mobile quarterbacks is that they tend to hold onto the ball too long, which is backed up by my research.

However, what also is true, based on my research, is that time to throw has no effect on taking many sacks, which would be the main reason to want someone who gets rid of the ball quickly. Yes, holding onto the ball invites more pressure, but as we mentioned, instant pressure doesn’t equate to sacks with how much more mobile quarterbacks are.

Also, quarterbacks with a higher time to throw produced more air yards than those who got rid of the ball quickly, while those who scramble more often did as well.

Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger get rid of the ball quickly, but doing so prevents their receivers from having a chance to get open down the field.

Thus, they rely a lot on yardage after the catch, while the likes of Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, and Russell Wilson are able to give their receivers the opportunity to make plays in the deep passing game.

This, in theory, would make mobile quarterbacks, and those who hold onto the ball longer, less replaceable, should they have an adequate level of accuracy.

The Saints, due to Brees’ limitations, have been a volatile offense and have struggled against top-tier defenses, as they rely so much on defensive miscues.

However, as we saw against Tampa Bay, who pushes the ball down the field, or against the Chiefs and Packers, they don’t need to be efficient to be successful. In other words, if your quarterback is not willing to push the ball down the field, he probably isn’t the answer at the position.

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