Mike Glennon 2013 Statistics Roundup: What Do the Numbers Say About the Buccaneers Rookie Quarterback?
By Leo Howell
Dec 8, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) runs out of the pocket against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Digging Deeper
Touchdowns, interceptions and passer rating don’t tell the whole story with quarterbacks. The quarterback position is about efficiency and consistency as much as it is about protecting the ball and scoring touchdowns.
One of the most underrated statistics for quarterbacks is yards per attempt, which reveals a shockingly simple fact about a quarterback: How many yards will he get you when he drops back to pass?
Yards per attempt factors in the risk/reward of a big play, while also rewarding the consistent, accurate passer who doesn’t have a big arm. It’s a fair, balanced statistic that gives a good overview of how a QB produces on the average play.
So what does it say about Mike Glennon?
In 2013, there were 37 quarterbacks who threw enough passes to qualify for the leaderboard for rate statistics like completion percentage and yards per attempt. Nick Foles finished first with a yards per attempt total of 9.1. He was one of six quarterbacks with a YPA over 8.
19 quarterbacks had a YPA over 7, and 31 quarterbacks had a YPA better than 6.5. Among those below 6.5? The Buccaneers’ rookie quarterback.
Glennon’s 6.3 yards per attempt finished dead last in the NFL, one tenth of a yard behind Joe Flacco, Chad Henne, EJ Manuel, Jason Campbell and Sam Bradford.
Since 2010, the only quarterbacks to finish with a lower YPA than Glennon were Christian Ponder in 2012, Sam Bradford in 2010, Colt McCoy in 2011 and Blaine Gabbert in 2011.
That means Tim Tebow, Mark Sanchez, and even 2011 Josh Freeman had more efficient, productive seasons using this statistic than did Glennon.
But the news isn’t all negative here. Pro Football Reference calculates Adjusted Yards per Attempt, which factors in touchdowns and interceptions along with yards. Glennon climbs up to 28th when considering this statistic, as many of the other unproductive quarterbacks turned the ball over more often than Glennon.