I am also of the camp that doesn't take stats too seriously re the QB position. There is more to the elixir of what makes a QB great/a winner than passer ratings.
I think of Ken Stabler in the NFL and Bernie Faloney in Tigertown as two prime examples of this. Neither had passer ratings, completion percentage, or the like that made one coo with delight reading the sports stat page after a typical game. All they did was win.
They led.
For me, the key issue is can the QB in question make the play necessary at crunch time to elevate his team above its opposition week after week? Does the offensive unit have the collective confidence in that man to direct his team down the field to win in a final drive with the game on the line?
Bernie Faloney was that man for the Tiger-Cats if one takes a historical perspective, although Danny Mac at his Ticat peak (1998-1999) certainly had that too.
It made Joe Zuger a winner in Hamilton even though his career numbers don't knock one out perusing them. He was simply a courageous man who gutted the big games out and got the job done. A little more than being a Ravens-vintage Trent Dilfer CFL equivalent for his era, to be sure...with the added bonus of being an all-star punter.
Even so, in the CFL, a combination of passing efficiency and that kind of serendipity is indeed lethal. For me, Doug Flutie at his best had that capacity, even more than Warren Moon (by a bit I would say). Flutie's mobility and ability to improvise out of the pocket made him the prototypical CFL QB.
I don't think Bernie Faloney was as efficient as Doug stats-wise, obviously, but I think it is reasonable to suggest that the intangible of leadership is what allows QBs of differing abilities to be included in the convo of "who do you want under center with the game on the line?"
It is that element that shakes down after a period of time goes by, usually. Tom Brady would never have become the legend he is now if people had simply took a look at his Michigan stats and said "see, backup material!" Brady took his opportunity when it presented itself and the rest is living history.
Would the Pats have had the dynasty they had in this era with Drew Bledsoe at the controls? I have my answer, and leadership is the criterion.
Time tells at the QB position. We will get a better idea from training camp whether Maas can rebound or if one of the aspirants can make an impact and get in line to become the main guy.
Oski Wee Wee,
