Grading the QBs

November 6, 2001

• Two weeks ago, The Sporting News had a story discussing what makes a good quarterback. The mag spoke with Bill Walsh, Ron Wolf, Mike Shanahan, Dennis Green, and Bill Polian and came up with an informal list of qualities that good quarterbacks possess. While the article was about pro QB's, I thought it might be fun to take a look at how Brooks Bollinger and Jim Sorgi might grade out with regards to these attributes (relative to other college quarterbacks).

  1.) Instinct

  BOLLINGER: B

  Bollinger has a good inate field presence which makes him a dangerous playmaker. He does not possess great instinct in the passing game, but has improved each of his three seasons in this regard.

  SORGI: C

  Sorgi still makes a fair number of bad reads in an attempt to make plays, understandable for a player with limited experience.

  2.) Arm Strength

  BOLLINGER: C

  Bollinger has a better arm than his critics usually give him credit for. However, I believe some of his trouble on deep balls is because the throws do not come easily to him. Thus, an average grade.

  SORGI: B-

  Sorgi does not have a cannon, but his longer throwing motion leads to better zip on the ball than Bollinger.

  3.) Accuracy

  BOLLINGER: B-

  The panelists suggested that a goal of 60% completion rate and a 2/1 TD/INT rate are key here. Bollinger is at 55% for his career which is average at best given the throws he has been asked to make. However his TD/INT rate for his career is a very solid 23/12.

  SORGI: C

  Sorgi's completion percentage is also 55%, though he generally attempts tougher passes than Bollinger. However, his 15/10 TD/INT rate is not as good as Bollinger's.

  4.) Pass Rush Effectiveness

  BOLLINGER: B+

  Quickness, agility, and elusiveness are the keys here and Bollinger possesses all of these. His pocket presence still could be improved, but he is a QB that must be accounted for while in the backfield and he can make team's pay for overpursuing.

  SORGI: C-

  Sorgi makes pretty solid hot reads and can be nimble if given some time, but when under a heavy pass rush he is a sitting duck.

  5.) Reading Defenses/Intelligence

  BOLLINGER: C

  This was by far the hardest section to grade, as it really involves a lot of details that the common fan (of which I am one) has a hard time recognizing. In Bollinger's case, I believe he is a sharp guy, but at times his desire to make a play can at times make him a little skittish. He has seemed to improve quite a bit in his progressions, but still is only average at best.

  SORGI: B

  When given time, Sorgi really seems to understand where the secondary and tertiary receivers are in most cases.

  6.) Toughness/Size

  BOLLINGER: B

  Bollinger has missed a fair amount of time, but has played hurt on numerous occasions. The panel recommends a QB weight of 215 pounds. Bollinger checks in at 205.

  SORGI: C

  Like Bollinger, I believe Sorgi is tough kid. However, with only 175 pounds on his 6-5 frame, he will always battle to stay healthy.

  7.) Release/Quickness

  BOLLINGER: C

  Nothing special for Brooks here. He doesn't have a slow release per se, but isn't lightning fast either.

  SORGI: B-

  Sorgi has a longer motion which make his release slower, but he is generally more decisive with the ball which makes the net result a quicker release than Bollinger's.

  8.) Competitiveness/Confidence

  BOLLINGER: A

  This is Bollinger's best trait. He finds ways to win and is a recognized leader on the field. He will do whatever it takes to get the game into the W column, as his terrific record attests.

  SORGI: B-

  Sorgi is also a solid leader on the field, though by his own admission has gone through some spells of lacking confidence.