07-03-2023, 09:31 PM
(07-03-2023, 09:09 PM)KillerGoose Wrote: The arm strength argument is just simply misguided. Burrow has plenty of arm strength to make the throws he needs to make. While it can be important, I would argue that arm strength is typically the most overrated trait for QBs. The best way to measure arm strength is ball velocity. If you pull any random throw out of an NFL game, it is likely to be in the 48-50 MPH range. These guys just don't have the need to rifle it in there very often, and all NFL QBs have the arm strength to throw harder than that.
Burrow's max velocity that I found was 56 MPH. Out of the 100+ passes I watched of his, he only threw 55 MPH or harder twice. It just isn't needed. The vast majority of his throws were between 48-52 MPH. The same can be said for nearly every QB in the league. There are also traits that can hide a weak arm. Burrow does not have a weak arm, but he does have those traits - ball placement and anticipation. Some of Burrow's tightest throws were passes that clocked in sub-50 MPH. He just placed it in the perfect spot at the perfect time.
Long rant, but I really hate docking a QB for a "weak" arm. It is just a tired, misguided argument at this point.
I believe that at one time arm strength was overrated generally, and it was rightfully called out. The "West Coast" offense proliferated league-wide, which made it less of a priority. But the "arm strength overrated" sentiment gained a life of its own, and I feel that now the pendulum was swung the other way.
It's not necessarily important for a guy to heave it 75 yards in shorts, but arm strength deficiency has no mask in certain scenarios. There are often throws where a QB cannot set his feet because of the pass rush. If a guy can't throw it off schedule (back foot, retreating, in the grasp, etc.) sufficiently, no amount of moxie or leadership is going to salvage that play. You mentioned the velocity, which is the only real test of arm strength (initial velocity and release angle determine distance). Occasionally there are throws where only fractions of a second will determine whether they arrive at their destination. Being a competitor doesn't help much there.
Arm strength obviously isn't everything, and it isn't even the most important thing. But everything else being equal, always take the guy with better arm strength.
