Positive Yards Per Attempt (Updated)

by Chase Stuart on August 10, 2016

Adam Steele is back for another guest post. You can view all of Adam’s posts here. As always, we thank him for contributing.

Last year, I introduced a simple alternative to ANY/A called Positive Yards Per Attempt. Today I’m going to update the formula with a few tweaks and more years of data. For those who don’t feel like reading the rationale behind PY/A provided in the link, it basically boils down to this: The magnitude of a QB’s positive plays are a better indicator of skill than the frequency of his negative plays, and positive plays contribute to winning more than negative plays contribute to losing. With this in mind, PY/A only counts yards and touchdowns while ignoring sacks, interceptions, and fumbles. In the updated version, I split air yards and YAC in the years where data is available. Here is the formula:

1992 – Present
PY/A = (Air Yards + YAC/2 + TD Pass *20) / Attempts

1950 – 1991
PY/A = (Pass Yards * 0.8 + TD Pass *20) / Attempts

The next step is to measure PY/A in relation to league average, which I call Relative PY/A or RPY/A. This is simply PY/A – LgPY/A. After calculating RPY/A for every season back to 1950, I noticed a pattern of dome-playing passers rating higher than they should, so I built a weather adjustment. Based on the conditions of each quarterback’s home stadium, I assigned him a bonus or penalty applied on a per play basis. The weather adjustment is not split by attempts at each stadium during a season, as that would be way too much work. These adjustments are arbitrary and almost certainly wrong, but still better than no adjustment at all. You can see the weather adjustment for each QB in the “Wthr” column of the tables.

Now comes the issue of balancing volume and efficiency. This is handled by adding 200 attempts of replacement level ball to each QB’s season total, with replacement level being LgPY/A – 0.5. I must give credit to Neil Paine for this idea, as it’s based on his method of adding 11 games of .500 ball to a team’s record to estimate their “true” winning percentage. After applying the 200 attempt regression to every QB season, I stumbled onto another problem – early AFL and older NFL seasons were rated too highly. I decided to use the regression step as a double for a depth of competition adjustment. The AFL from 1960-64 and NFL from 1950-59 are hit with a sharper regression than the -0.5 used for modern seasons, with the most severe being -2 for the 1960 AFL.

With all the adjustments factored in, we arrive at the final product – True Relative PY/A (abbreviated with the alphabet soupy TRPY/A). The table below shows the top 200 seasons since 1950:

Best	Quarterback	Year	Team	Att	Air	YAC	TD	PY/A	LgPY/A	RPY/A	Wthr	TRPY/A
1	Aaron Rodgers	2011	GB	500	2480	2163	45	8.92	6.41	2.72	0.20	1.80
2	Ken Stabler	1976	OAK	291	2737	-	27	9.38	6.12	3.26	0.00	1.73
3	Peyton Manning	2004	IND	495	2832	1725	49	9.44	6.53	2.62	-0.30	1.72
4	Dan Marino	1984	MIA	564	5084	-	48	8.91	6.55	2.37	0.00	1.62
5	Tom Brady	2007	NE	578	2787	2019	50	8.30	6.23	2.27	0.20	1.56
6	Boomer Esiason	1988	CIN	388	3572	-	28	8.81	6.32	2.59	0.10	1.54
7	Lynn Dickey	1983	GB	484	4458	-	32	8.69	6.60	2.29	0.20	1.47
8	Bert Jones	1976	BAL	343	3104	-	24	8.64	6.12	2.57	0.05	1.44
9	Chris Chandler	1998	ATL	327	1858	1296	25	9.19	6.27	2.62	-0.30	1.43
10	Kurt Warner	2000	STL	347	1843	1586	21	8.81	6.05	2.45	-0.30	1.37
11	Otto Graham	1953	CLE	258	2722	-	11	9.29	6.15	3.35	0.20	1.36
12	George Blanda	1961	HOU	362	3330	-	36	9.35	6.33	3.02	0.00	1.34
13	Len Dawson	1966	KC	284	2527	-	26	8.95	6.45	2.60	0.10	1.32
14	Earl Morrall	1968	BAL	317	2909	-	26	8.98	6.63	2.40	0.05	1.28
15	Nick Foles	2013	PHI	317	1409	1482	27	8.49	6.31	2.38	0.20	1.26
16	Steve Young	1993	SF	462	2247	1776	29	8.04	6.02	2.02	0.00	1.26
17	Kurt Warner	2001	STL	546	2760	2070	36	8.27	6.07	1.90	-0.30	1.25
18	Joe Montana	1989	SF	386	3521	-	26	8.64	6.52	2.12	0.00	1.23
19	Randall Cunningham	1998	MIN	425	2259	1445	34	8.62	6.27	2.04	-0.30	1.23
20	Daunte Culpepper	2000	MIN	474	2621	1316	33	8.31	6.05	1.96	-0.30	1.23
21	Len Dawson	1968	KC	224	2109	-	17	9.05	6.39	2.76	0.10	1.22
22	Peyton Manning	2013	DEN	658	2795	2682	55	7.96	6.31	1.70	0.05	1.19
23	Kurt Warner	1999	STL	499	2225	2128	41	8.23	6.08	1.86	-0.30	1.18
24	Steve McNair	2003	TEN	397	2198	1017	24	8.03	6.00	2.02	0.00	1.18
25	Steve Young	1994	SF	461	1979	1990	35	7.97	6.07	1.90	0.00	1.18
26	Ben Roethlisberger	2007	PIT	401	1999	1155	32	8.02	6.23	1.99	0.20	1.16
27	Ben Roethlisberger	2005	PIT	268	1400	985	17	8.33	6.15	2.38	0.20	1.15
28	Jim Kelly	1991	BUF	474	3844	-	33	7.88	6.23	1.85	0.20	1.15
29	Roger Staubach	1973	DAL	286	2428	-	23	8.40	6.11	2.29	0.00	1.14
30	Mark Rypien	1991	WAS	421	3564	-	28	8.10	6.23	1.92	0.05	1.14
31	Milt Plum	1960	CLE	250	2297	-	21	9.03	6.80	2.43	0.20	1.13
32	Tony Romo	2006	DAL	337	1850	1053	19	8.18	6.14	2.04	0.00	1.10
33	Carson Palmer	2015	ARI	531	2897	1774	35	8.44	6.50	1.69	-0.25	1.09
34	Ken Stabler	1974	OAK	310	2469	-	26	8.05	5.94	2.11	0.00	1.08
35	Steve Young	1991	SF	279	2517	-	17	8.44	6.23	2.20	0.00	1.07
36	Sonny Jurgensen	1961	PHI	416	3723	-	32	8.70	7.07	1.83	0.20	1.07
37	Ben Roethlisberger	2009	PIT	505	2376	1952	26	7.67	6.18	1.68	0.20	1.06
38	Jeff George	1999	MIN	329	1788	1028	23	8.40	6.08	2.02	-0.30	1.06
39	Philip Rivers	2008	SD	478	2169	1840	34	7.88	6.17	1.72	0.00	1.06
40	Bart Starr	1968	GB	171	1617	-	15	9.32	6.63	2.89	0.20	1.06
41	Greg Cook	1969	CIN	197	1854	-	15	9.05	6.51	2.64	0.10	1.06
42	Ben Roethlisberger	2004	PIT	294	1662	959	17	8.44	6.53	2.11	0.20	1.06
43	Terry Bradshaw	1978	PIT	368	2915	-	28	7.86	6.16	1.90	0.20	1.05
44	Steve Young	1992	SF	402	2035	1430	25	8.08	6.26	1.83	0.00	1.05
45	Tom Flores	1966	OAK	306	2638	-	24	8.47	6.45	2.02	0.00	1.02
46	Philip Rivers	2009	SD	484	2206	2048	28	7.83	6.18	1.65	0.00	1.02
47	Aaron Rodgers	2014	GB	520	2190	2191	38	7.78	6.38	1.60	0.20	1.02
48	Tony Romo	2007	DAL	520	2492	1719	36	7.83	6.23	1.60	0.00	1.02
49	Norm Van Brocklin	1960	PHI	284	2471	-	24	8.65	6.80	2.05	0.20	0.99
50	Y.A. Tittle	1963	NYG	367	3145	-	36	8.82	7.12	1.80	0.10	0.99
51	Johnny Unitas	1964	BAL	305	2824	-	19	8.65	6.75	1.95	0.05	0.98
52	Joe Namath	1972	NYJ	324	2816	-	19	8.13	6.33	1.90	0.10	0.98
53	Len Dawson	1962	DLT	310	2759	-	29	8.99	6.48	2.51	0.00	0.98
54	Roger Staubach	1971	DAL	211	1882	-	15	8.56	6.19	2.37	0.00	0.97
55	Brett Favre	1997	GB	513	2336	1531	35	7.41	6.07	1.54	0.20	0.97
56	Trent Green	2000	STL	240	1400	663	16	8.55	6.05	2.19	-0.30	0.97
57	Greg Landry	1971	DET	261	2237	-	16	8.08	6.19	2.09	0.20	0.97
58	Ken Anderson	1975	CIN	377	3169	-	21	7.84	6.19	1.75	0.10	0.97
59	Tom Brady	2011	NE	610	2531	2704	39	7.64	6.41	1.44	0.20	0.96
60	Billy Wade	1961	CHI	250	2258	-	22	8.99	7.07	2.11	0.20	0.95
61	Bart Starr	1966	GB	251	2257	-	14	8.31	6.43	2.08	0.20	0.94
62	Otto Graham	1955	CLE	185	1721	-	15	9.06	6.24	3.02	0.20	0.93
63	Fran Tarkenton	1967	NYG	377	3088	-	29	8.09	6.53	1.67	0.10	0.92
64	Dan Fouts	1985	SD	430	3638	-	27	8.02	6.45	1.57	0.00	0.91
65	Ken Anderson	1974	CIN	328	2667	-	18	7.60	5.94	1.76	0.10	0.90
66	Craig Morton	1970	DAL	207	1819	-	15	8.48	6.22	2.26	0.00	0.90
67	Bob Griese	1975	MIA	191	1693	-	14	8.56	6.19	2.37	0.00	0.90
68	Boomer Esiason	1986	CIN	469	3959	-	24	7.78	6.39	1.49	0.10	0.89
69	Tony Romo	2014	DAL	435	2031	1674	34	8.16	6.38	1.53	-0.25	0.89
70	Jim Kelly	1990	BUF	346	2829	-	24	7.93	6.44	1.68	0.20	0.88
71	Philip Rivers	2010	SD	540	2355	2355	30	7.65	6.26	1.40	0.00	0.88
72	Drew Brees	2009	NO	513	2349	2039	34	7.89	6.18	1.41	-0.30	0.87
73	Peyton Manning	2005	IND	453	2309	1438	28	7.92	6.15	1.47	-0.30	0.87
74	Russell Wilson	2015	SEA	481	2206	1818	34	7.89	6.50	1.44	0.05	0.87
75	Terry Bradshaw	1977	PIT	314	2523	-	17	7.51	5.98	1.73	0.20	0.86
76	Craig Morton	1969	DAL	302	2619	-	21	8.33	6.57	1.76	0.00	0.86
77	Aaron Rodgers	2010	GB	473	2045	1877	28	7.49	6.26	1.44	0.20	0.86
78	Carson Palmer	2006	CIN	516	2503	1532	28	7.42	6.14	1.39	0.10	0.86
79	Ben Roethlisberger	2015	PIT	468	2469	1469	21	7.74	6.50	1.44	0.20	0.86
80	Aaron Rodgers	2009	GB	538	2270	2164	30	7.35	6.18	1.36	0.20	0.86
81	John Hadl	1965	SD	348	2798	-	20	7.58	5.95	1.63	0.00	0.85
82	Tommy O'Connell	1957	CLE	110	1229	-	9	10.57	6.92	3.85	0.20	0.85
83	Johnny Unitas	1965	BAL	282	2530	-	23	8.81	7.05	1.81	0.05	0.85
84	Joe Montana	1984	SF	432	3630	-	28	8.02	6.55	1.47	0.00	0.85
85	Brett Favre	1995	GB	570	2279	2134	38	7.20	6.08	1.32	0.20	0.85
86	Steve McNair	2001	TEN	431	2303	1047	21	7.53	6.07	1.46	0.00	0.84
87	Carson Palmer	2005	CIN	509	2428	1408	32	7.41	6.15	1.36	0.10	0.84
88	Steve Young	1998	SF	517	2279	1891	36	7.63	6.27	1.35	0.00	0.84
89	Peyton Manning	2012	DEN	581	2665	1994	37	7.58	6.33	1.30	0.05	0.84
90	John Elway	1998	DEN	356	1875	931	22	7.81	6.27	1.59	0.05	0.84
91	Mark Rypien	1988	WAS	208	1730	-	18	8.38	6.32	2.12	0.05	0.83
92	Joe Namath	1967	NYJ	491	4007	-	26	7.59	6.32	1.37	0.10	0.83
93	Frank Ryan	1966	CLE	382	2974	-	29	7.75	6.43	1.52	0.20	0.82
94	Donovan McNabb	2004	PHI	469	2120	1755	31	7.71	6.53	1.39	0.20	0.82
95	Craig Morton	1981	DEN	376	3195	-	21	7.91	6.44	1.52	0.05	0.82
96	Steve Grogan	1979	NE	423	3286	-	28	7.54	6.31	1.43	0.20	0.81
97	Dan Fouts	1982	SD	330	2883	-	17	8.02	6.41	1.60	0.00	0.81
98	Norm Van Brocklin	1954	LA	260	2637	-	13	9.11	6.83	2.28	0.00	0.81
99	John Hadl	1973	LA	258	2008	-	22	7.93	6.11	1.82	0.00	0.81
100	Dan Fouts	1983	SD	340	2975	-	20	8.18	6.60	1.57	0.00	0.80
101	Peyton Manning	2006	IND	553	2889	1508	31	7.71	6.14	1.27	-0.30	0.80
102	Joe Ferguson	1975	BUF	321	2426	-	25	7.60	6.19	1.61	0.20	0.80
103	Steve Beuerlein	1999	CAR	571	2471	1965	36	7.31	6.08	1.23	0.00	0.78
104	Peyton Manning	2014	DEN	597	2711	2016	39	7.54	6.38	1.21	0.05	0.78
105	Tom Brady	2010	NE	492	1894	2006	36	7.35	6.26	1.30	0.20	0.78
106	Drew Brees	2011	NO	653	2965	2511	46	7.87	6.41	1.17	-0.30	0.78
107	Eli Manning	2011	NYG	589	2758	2175	29	7.51	6.41	1.21	0.10	0.77
108	Matt Hasselbeck	2005	SEA	449	2256	1203	24	7.43	6.15	1.34	0.05	0.77
109	Terry Bradshaw	1979	PIT	472	3724	-	26	7.41	6.31	1.31	0.20	0.77
110	Russell Wilson	2013	SEA	405	1804	1553	26	7.66	6.31	1.40	0.05	0.77
111	Bill Nelsen	1966	PIT	112	1122	-	7	9.26	6.43	3.03	0.20	0.77
112	Jim Everett	1989	LRM	518	4310	-	29	7.78	6.52	1.25	0.00	0.77
113	Ed Brown	1956	CHB	168	1667	-	11	9.25	6.70	2.75	0.20	0.77
114	Bob Berry	1971	ATL	226	2005	-	11	8.07	6.19	1.88	0.00	0.76
115	Jay Schroeder	1990	LRD	334	2849	-	19	7.96	6.44	1.52	0.00	0.76
116	Steve Grogan	1986	NE	102	976	-	9	9.42	6.39	3.23	0.20	0.76
117	Andy Dalton	2015	CIN	386	1783	1467	25	7.81	6.50	1.41	0.10	0.76
118	Len Dawson	1964	KC	354	2879	-	30	8.20	6.66	1.64	0.10	0.76
119	Vinny Testaverde	1996	BAL	549	2380	1797	33	7.17	6.01	1.22	0.05	0.76
120	Don Meredith	1966	DAL	344	2805	-	24	7.92	6.43	1.49	0.00	0.76
121	Ben Roethlisberger	2014	PIT	599	2580	2372	32	7.36	6.38	1.18	0.20	0.76
122	Brett Favre	1996	GB	543	2168	1731	39	7.02	6.01	1.22	0.20	0.75
123	Brett Favre	2001	GB	510	2054	1867	32	7.11	6.07	1.24	0.20	0.75
124	Tom Brady	2004	NE	472	2363	1329	28	7.60	6.53	1.27	0.20	0.75
125	Dan Fouts	1978	SD	381	2999	-	24	7.56	6.16	1.40	0.00	0.74
126	Len Dawson	1971	KC	301	2504	-	15	7.65	6.19	1.56	0.10	0.74
127	Mark Brunell	1996	JAC	557	2885	1482	19	7.19	6.01	1.18	0.00	0.74
128	Earl Morrall	1972	MIA	150	1360	-	11	8.72	6.33	2.39	0.00	0.74
129	Elvis Grbac	2000	KC	547	2525	1644	28	7.14	6.05	1.19	0.10	0.74
130	Jim Kelly	1989	BUF	391	3130	-	25	7.68	6.52	1.36	0.20	0.73
131	Vince Ferragamo	1980	LA	404	3199	-	30	7.82	6.48	1.34	0.00	0.73
132	James Harris	1976	LA	158	1460	-	8	8.41	6.12	2.28	0.00	0.73
133	Dan Marino	1986	MIA	623	4746	-	44	7.51	6.39	1.12	0.00	0.73
134	Aaron Rodgers	2012	GB	549	2160	2135	39	7.30	6.33	1.17	0.20	0.72
135	Boomer Esiason	1985	CIN	431	3443	-	27	7.64	6.45	1.29	0.10	0.72
136	Peyton Manning	2000	IND	571	2835	1578	33	7.50	6.05	1.15	-0.30	0.72
137	Ben Roethlisberger	2010	PIT	381	1771	1429	17	7.42	6.26	1.36	0.20	0.72
138	Daryle Lamonica	1969	OAK	426	3302	-	34	7.80	6.51	1.29	0.00	0.72
139	Cam Newton	2015	CAR	493	2370	1467	35	7.72	6.50	1.21	0.00	0.72
140	Tommy Maddox	2002	PIT	377	1813	1023	20	7.23	6.06	1.36	0.20	0.72
141	Norm Snead	1967	PHI	434	3399	-	29	7.60	6.53	1.28	0.20	0.72
142	Aaron Rodgers	2013	GB	289	1213	1323	17	7.66	6.31	1.55	0.20	0.71
143	Brian Griese	2000	DEN	336	1546	1142	19	7.43	6.05	1.43	0.05	0.71
144	Bob Griese	1971	MIA	263	2089	-	19	7.80	6.19	1.61	0.00	0.70
145	Y.A. Tittle	1962	NYG	375	3224	-	33	8.64	7.41	1.33	0.10	0.69
146	Russell Wilson	2012	SEA	393	1801	1317	26	7.58	6.33	1.30	0.05	0.69
147	Don Horn	1969	GB	168	1505	-	11	8.48	6.57	2.11	0.20	0.69
148	Aaron Rodgers	2008	GB	531	2386	1652	28	7.10	6.17	1.14	0.20	0.69
149	Eli Manning	2009	NYG	507	2236	1785	27	7.24	6.18	1.15	0.10	0.69
150	Len Dawson	1965	KC	305	2262	-	21	7.31	5.95	1.46	0.10	0.68
151	Lynn Dickey	1984	GB	401	3195	-	25	7.62	6.55	1.27	0.20	0.68
152	Jim Kelly	1992	BUF	462	2322	1135	23	7.25	6.26	1.19	0.20	0.68
153	Marc Bulger	2002	STL	210	1043	783	14	8.16	6.06	1.80	-0.30	0.68
154	Bobby Thomason	1953	PHI	304	2462	-	21	7.86	6.15	1.91	0.20	0.68
155	Neil Lomax	1984	STL	560	4614	-	28	7.59	6.55	1.09	0.05	0.67
156	Fran Tarkenton	1964	MIN	306	2506	-	22	7.99	6.75	1.44	0.20	0.67
157	Joe Theismann	1983	WAS	459	3714	-	29	7.74	6.60	1.18	0.05	0.67
158	Donovan McNabb	2006	PHI	314	1250	1397	18	7.35	6.14	1.42	0.20	0.67
159	Charley Johnson	1974	DEN	244	1969	-	13	7.52	5.94	1.63	0.05	0.67
160	Danny White	1982	DAL	247	2079	-	16	8.03	6.41	1.61	0.00	0.67
161	Roger Staubach	1978	DAL	413	3190	-	25	7.39	6.16	1.23	0.00	0.67
162	Dave Krieg	1983	SEA	243	2139	-	18	8.52	6.60	1.62	-0.30	0.66
163	Ron Jaworski	1980	PHI	451	3529	-	27	7.46	6.48	1.18	0.20	0.66
164	Michael Vick	2010	PHI	369	1561	1457	21	7.34	6.26	1.29	0.20	0.66
165	John Brodie	1970	SF	378	2941	-	24	7.49	6.22	1.27	0.00	0.66
166	Ken Anderson	1981	CIN	479	3754	-	29	7.48	6.44	1.14	0.10	0.66
167	Daunte Culpepper	2004	MIN	545	2341	2376	39	7.91	6.53	1.08	-0.30	0.66
168	Jeff Hostetler	1993	LRD	419	2250	992	14	7.22	6.02	1.20	0.00	0.65
169	Joe Montana	1987	SF	398	3054	-	31	7.70	6.47	1.22	0.00	0.65
170	Jeff George	1997	OAK	521	2369	1548	29	7.15	6.07	1.08	0.00	0.64
171	Bob Griese	1974	MIA	253	1968	-	16	7.49	5.94	1.54	0.00	0.64
172	Trent Green	2004	KC	554	2616	1975	27	7.48	6.53	1.05	0.10	0.64
173	Tyrod Taylor	2015	BUF	380	1898	1137	20	7.54	6.50	1.24	0.20	0.64
174	Vinny Testaverde	1993	CLE	230	1071	726	14	7.45	6.02	1.63	0.20	0.64
175	Daryle Lamonica	1967	OAK	425	3228	-	30	7.49	6.32	1.17	0.00	0.63
176	John Hadl	1968	SD	440	3473	-	27	7.54	6.39	1.15	0.00	0.63
177	Steve Grogan	1980	NE	306	2475	-	18	7.65	6.48	1.37	0.20	0.63
178	Terry Bradshaw	1980	PIT	424	3339	-	24	7.43	6.48	1.15	0.20	0.62
179	Erik Kramer	1995	CHI	522	2231	1607	29	6.92	6.08	1.04	0.20	0.61
180	Philip Rivers	2013	SD	543	2204	2274	32	7.33	6.31	1.02	0.00	0.61
181	Johnny Unitas	1959	BAL	367	2899	-	32	8.06	6.84	1.27	0.05	0.61
182	Norm Van Brocklin	1953	LA	286	2393	-	19	8.02	6.15	1.87	0.00	0.61
183	Steve Young	1997	SF	356	1407	1622	19	7.30	6.07	1.23	0.00	0.61
184	Roger Staubach	1979	DAL	461	3586	-	27	7.39	6.31	1.09	0.00	0.61
185	Bob Griese	1977	MIA	307	2252	-	22	7.30	5.98	1.32	0.00	0.60
186	Vinny Testaverde	1998	NYJ	421	1726	1530	29	7.29	6.27	1.12	0.10	0.60
187	Terry Bradshaw	1981	PIT	370	2887	-	22	7.43	6.44	1.19	0.20	0.60
188	Ken O'Brien	1985	NYJ	488	3888	-	25	7.40	6.45	1.04	0.10	0.59
189	John Hadl	1967	SD	427	3365	-	24	7.43	6.32	1.11	0.00	0.59
190	Trent Green	2002	KC	470	1873	1817	26	7.02	6.06	1.06	0.10	0.59
191	Donovan McNabb	2009	PHI	441	1806	1747	22	7.07	6.18	1.09	0.20	0.59
192	Peyton Manning	2007	IND	515	2497	1543	31	7.55	6.23	1.02	-0.30	0.59
193	Jim Everett	1988	LRM	517	3964	-	31	7.33	6.32	1.02	0.00	0.59
194	Tom Brady	2005	NE	529	2206	1904	26	6.95	6.15	1.01	0.20	0.59
195	Wade Wilson	1992	ATL	163	881	485	13	8.49	6.26	1.93	-0.30	0.59
196	Dan Fouts	1981	SD	609	4802	-	33	7.39	6.44	0.95	0.00	0.59
197	Eddie LeBaron	1958	WAS	145	1365	-	11	9.05	6.74	2.36	0.05	0.59
198	Bill Nelsen	1968	CLE	293	2366	-	19	7.76	6.63	1.33	0.20	0.59
199	Johnny Unitas	1957	BAL	301	2550	-	24	8.37	6.92	1.50	0.05	0.58
200	Johnny Unitas	1966	BAL	348	2748	-	22	7.58	6.43	1.20	0.05	0.58

And now the bottom 200 seasons:

Worst	Quarterback	Year	Team	Att	Air	YAC	TD	PY/A	LgPY/A	RPY/A	Wthr	TRPY/A
1	Frank Tripucka	1952	2TM	186	809	-	3	3.80	6.43	-2.62	0.00	-1.94
2	Bobby Hoying	1998	PHI	224	432	529	0	3.11	6.27	-2.97	0.20	-1.80
3	Babe Parilli	1960	OAK	187	1003	-	5	4.83	6.34	-1.52	0.00	-1.77
4	Frank Tripucka	1961	DEN	344	1690	-	10	4.51	6.33	-1.77	0.05	-1.74
5	Ryan Lindley	2012	ARI	171	455	297	0	3.53	6.33	-3.05	-0.25	-1.68
6	Mark Rypien	1993	WAS	319	623	891	4	3.60	6.02	-2.37	0.05	-1.65
7	Dick Wood	1966	MIA	230	993	-	4	3.80	6.45	-2.64	0.00	-1.65
8	Chuck Ortmann	1951	PIT	139	671	-	3	4.29	6.48	-1.98	0.20	-1.64
9	M.C. Reynolds	1961	BUF	181	1004	-	2	4.66	6.33	-1.47	0.20	-1.59
10	Paul Christman	1950	GB	126	545	-	7	4.57	6.44	-1.67	0.20	-1.56
11	Mickey Slaughter	1964	DEN	189	930	-	3	4.25	6.66	-2.36	0.05	-1.56
12	George Herring	1961	DEN	211	1160	-	5	4.87	6.33	-1.41	0.05	-1.55
13	Jimmy Clausen	2010	CAR	298	713	845	3	4.01	6.26	-2.24	0.00	-1.54
14	Dan Darragh	1968	BUF	215	917	-	3	3.69	6.39	-2.50	0.20	-1.54
15	Jack Trudeau	1986	IND	417	2225	-	8	4.65	6.39	-2.04	-0.30	-1.54
16	Nick Foles	2015	STL	335	785	1267	7	4.65	6.50	-2.15	-0.30	-1.53
17	Kelly Stouffer	1992	SEA	190	476	424	3	3.94	6.26	-2.62	-0.30	-1.53
18	Kurt Kittner	2003	ATL	113	199	192	2	2.96	6.00	-3.34	-0.30	-1.53
19	Kyle Boller	2009	STL	175	307	592	3	3.79	6.18	-2.69	-0.30	-1.52
20	Charley Trippi	1952	CHC	181	890	-	5	4.49	6.43	-1.74	0.20	-1.51
21	Bill Mackrides	1953	2TM	109	506	-	2	4.08	6.15	-2.07	0.00	-1.51
22	Archie Manning	1975	NO	338	1683	-	7	4.40	6.19	-2.09	-0.30	-1.50
23	Rusty Hilger	1988	DET	306	1558	-	7	4.53	6.32	-2.09	-0.30	-1.46
24	Galen Hall	1963	NYJ	118	611	-	3	4.65	6.76	-2.01	0.10	-1.44
25	Blaine Gabbert	2011	JAC	412	1033	1181	12	4.52	6.41	-1.88	0.00	-1.43
26	Stan Gelbaugh	1992	SEA	255	710	597	6	4.43	6.26	-2.13	-0.30	-1.41
27	Joey Harrington	2003	DET	550	1467	1413	17	4.57	6.00	-1.73	-0.30	-1.40
28	Joey Harrington	2002	DET	428	1130	1164	12	4.56	6.06	-1.80	-0.30	-1.39
29	Ed Rutkowski	1968	BUF	100	380	-	0	3.04	6.39	-3.15	0.20	-1.38
30	Ryan Leaf	1998	SD	245	674	615	2	4.17	6.27	-2.11	0.00	-1.38
31	Akili Smith	2000	CIN	267	718	535	3	3.92	6.05	-2.04	0.10	-1.38
32	Bubby Brister	1995	NYJ	170	330	396	4	3.58	6.08	-2.41	0.10	-1.38
33	Kim McQuilken	1976	ATL	121	450	-	2	3.31	6.12	-2.82	0.00	-1.37
34	Dan Pastorini	1973	HOU	290	1482	-	5	4.43	6.11	-1.97	-0.30	-1.37
35	Johnny Green	1960	BUF	228	1267	-	10	5.32	6.34	-0.82	0.20	-1.37
36	Bruce Gradkowski	2006	TB	326	750	911	9	4.25	6.14	-1.89	0.00	-1.36
37	Tobin Rote	1950	GB	224	1231	-	7	5.02	6.44	-1.22	0.20	-1.35
38	Jim Ninowski	1960	DET	283	1599	-	2	4.66	6.80	-1.94	0.20	-1.35
39	Lamar McHan	1954	CHC	255	1475	-	6	5.10	6.83	-1.54	0.20	-1.34
40	Rick Norton	1967	MIA	133	596	-	1	3.74	6.32	-2.59	0.00	-1.33
41	Sam Bradford	2010	STL	587	1570	1942	18	4.94	6.26	-1.61	-0.30	-1.33
42	Babe Parilli	1953	GB	166	830	-	4	4.48	6.15	-1.47	0.20	-1.32
43	Dan Pastorini	1981	LA	152	719	-	2	4.05	6.44	-2.40	0.00	-1.32
44	Wade Wilson	1984	MIN	195	1019	-	5	4.69	6.55	-2.15	-0.30	-1.32
45	John Skelton	2012	ARI	201	582	550	2	4.46	6.33	-2.12	-0.25	-1.31
46	Rick Norton	1969	MIA	148	709	-	2	4.10	6.51	-2.40	0.00	-1.31
47	JaMarcus Russell	2009	OAK	245	658	629	3	4.21	6.18	-1.97	0.00	-1.31
48	Art Schlichter	1984	IND	140	702	-	3	4.44	6.55	-2.41	-0.30	-1.29
49	Jim Finks	1953	PIT	292	1484	-	8	4.61	6.15	-1.33	0.20	-1.28
50	Doug Pederson	2000	CLE	210	486	561	2	3.84	6.05	-2.01	0.20	-1.28
51	Alex Smith	2007	SF	191	595	319	2	4.16	6.23	-2.07	0.00	-1.27
52	Christian Ponder	2012	MIN	483	1222	1713	18	5.05	6.33	-1.58	-0.30	-1.27
53	Steve Romanik	1953	2TM	125	650	-	4	4.80	6.15	-1.35	0.00	-1.26
54	Terry Nofsinger	1966	STL	162	799	-	2	4.19	6.43	-2.19	0.05	-1.26
55	Y.A. Tittle	1950	BAL	315	1884	-	8	5.29	6.44	-1.10	0.05	-1.25
56	Keith Null	2009	STL	119	261	305	3	3.98	6.18	-2.50	-0.30	-1.25
57	Derek Carr	2014	OAK	595	1709	1561	21	4.89	6.38	-1.49	0.00	-1.24
58	Joe Namath	1976	NYJ	230	1090	-	4	4.14	6.12	-1.88	0.10	-1.24
59	Gary Marangi	1976	BUF	232	998	-	7	4.04	6.12	-1.88	0.20	-1.24
60	Rick Mirer	1997	CHI	103	239	181	0	3.20	6.07	-2.67	0.20	-1.24
61	Ryan Fitzpatrick	2008	CIN	370	1057	848	8	4.44	6.17	-1.63	0.10	-1.23
62	John Brodie	1960	SF	207	1111	-	6	4.87	6.80	-1.93	0.00	-1.23
63	David Carr	2007	CAR	136	315	320	3	3.93	6.23	-2.30	0.00	-1.23
64	Blake Bortles	2014	JAC	474	1246	1662	11	4.85	6.38	-1.53	0.00	-1.23
65	Cotton Davidson	1962	2TM	321	1977	-	7	5.36	6.48	-1.12	0.00	-1.22
66	Billy Joe Tolliver	1994	HOU	240	652	635	6	4.54	6.07	-1.83	-0.30	-1.22
67	Bob Waterfield	1952	LA	109	655	-	3	5.36	6.43	-1.07	0.00	-1.22
68	Harry Gilmer	1955	DET	122	633	-	2	4.48	6.24	-1.57	0.20	-1.21
69	A.J. Feeley	2004	MIA	356	1176	717	11	4.93	6.53	-1.60	0.00	-1.20
70	Chris Weinke	2001	CAR	540	1614	1317	11	4.62	6.07	-1.46	0.00	-1.20
71	Steve McNair	2007	BAL	204	568	545	2	4.32	6.23	-1.86	0.05	-1.19
72	Sam Bradford	2011	STL	357	1260	904	6	5.13	6.41	-1.57	-0.30	-1.19
73	Milt Plum	1965	DET	308	1710	-	12	5.22	7.05	-1.63	0.20	-1.18
74	Jeff Garcia	2005	DET	173	490	447	3	4.47	6.15	-1.97	-0.30	-1.18
75	Boomer Esiason	1992	CIN	278	646	761	11	4.48	6.26	-1.67	0.10	-1.18
76	Mark Brunell	2004	WAS	237	767	427	7	4.73	6.53	-1.75	0.05	-1.18
77	Bill Kenney	1988	KC	114	549	-	0	3.85	6.32	-2.36	0.10	-1.18
78	Gary Danielson	1977	DET	100	445	-	1	3.76	5.98	-2.52	-0.30	-1.17
79	Danny Kanell	2000	ATL	116	334	190	2	4.04	6.05	-2.31	-0.30	-1.16
80	George Blanda	1952	CHB	131	664	-	8	5.28	6.43	-0.95	0.20	-1.16
81	Donovan McNabb	1999	PHI	216	506	442	8	4.11	6.08	-1.77	0.20	-1.16
82	Kyle Boller	2004	BAL	455	1498	1061	13	5.03	6.53	-1.45	0.05	-1.16
83	Alex Smith	2005	SF	165	469	406	1	4.19	6.15	-1.95	0.00	-1.16
84	Dan Pastorini	1972	HOU	299	1711	-	7	5.05	6.33	-1.58	-0.30	-1.15
85	Jack Concannon	1969	CHI	160	783	-	4	4.42	6.57	-1.95	0.20	-1.14
86	Frankie Albert	1950	SF	306	1767	-	14	5.53	6.44	-0.90	0.00	-1.14
87	Bart Starr	1958	GB	157	875	-	3	4.84	6.74	-1.70	0.20	-1.14
88	Joe Kapp	1970	BOS	219	1104	-	3	4.31	6.22	-1.72	0.20	-1.14
89	Pete Beathard	1967	2TM	231	1114	-	9	4.64	6.32	-1.68	0.00	-1.13
90	Tobin Rote	1953	GB	185	1005	-	5	4.89	6.15	-1.06	0.20	-1.13
91	Vince Evans	1981	CHI	436	2354	-	11	4.82	6.44	-1.42	0.20	-1.13
92	Tobin Rote	1959	DET	162	861	-	5	4.87	6.84	-1.77	0.20	-1.13
93	Norm Snead	1961	WAS	375	2337	-	11	5.57	7.07	-1.45	0.05	-1.12
94	Gary Huff	1973	CHI	126	525	-	3	3.81	6.11	-2.10	0.20	-1.12
95	Josh Freeman	2013	2TM	147	439	322	2	4.35	6.31	-1.96	0.00	-1.12
96	Eddie LeBaron	1953	WAS	149	874	-	3	5.10	6.15	-1.00	0.05	-1.12
97	Joey Harrington	2004	DET	484	1477	1570	19	5.46	6.53	-1.37	-0.30	-1.11
98	Ken Dorsey	2004	SF	226	730	501	6	4.87	6.53	-1.66	0.00	-1.11
99	Ron Vander Kelen	1967	MIN	115	522	-	3	4.15	6.53	-2.17	0.20	-1.11
100	Danny Kanell	2003	DEN	103	234	208	2	3.67	6.00	-2.28	0.05	-1.11
101	David Carr	2006	HOU	440	1198	1569	11	5.01	6.14	-1.38	-0.25	-1.10
102	Tony Banks	1998	STL	408	1409	1126	7	5.18	6.27	-1.40	-0.30	-1.10
103	Cleo Lemon	2007	MIA	307	895	878	6	4.74	6.23	-1.49	0.00	-1.10
104	Steve Spurrier	1976	TB	311	1628	-	7	4.64	6.12	-1.48	0.00	-1.10
105	Jim Zorn	1983	SEA	205	1166	-	7	5.23	6.60	-1.67	-0.30	-1.09
106	Joey Harrington	2007	ATL	348	1055	1160	7	5.10	6.23	-1.43	-0.30	-1.09
107	Tom Flores	1961	OAK	366	2176	-	15	5.58	6.33	-0.75	0.00	-1.09
108	Derek Anderson	2009	CLE	181	530	358	3	4.25	6.18	-1.73	0.20	-1.09
109	Steve DeBerg	1978	SF	302	1570	-	8	4.69	6.16	-1.47	0.00	-1.08
110	Scott Brunner	1981	NYG	190	978	-	5	4.64	6.44	-1.70	0.10	-1.08
111	Bobby Douglass	1974	CHI	100	387	-	2	3.50	5.94	-2.25	0.20	-1.08
112	Jeff George	1991	IND	485	2910	-	10	5.21	6.23	-1.32	-0.30	-1.08
113	Marc Bulger	2009	STL	246	757	712	5	4.93	6.18	-1.55	-0.30	-1.08
114	Brad Johnson	2006	MIN	436	1331	1419	9	5.09	6.14	-1.34	-0.30	-1.08
115	Tobin Rote	1954	GB	382	2311	-	14	5.57	6.83	-1.06	0.20	-1.07
116	David Klingler	1993	CIN	343	926	1009	6	4.52	6.02	-1.40	0.10	-1.07
117	Randy Johnson	1968	ATL	156	892	-	2	4.83	6.63	-1.80	0.00	-1.07
118	Cody Carlson	1994	HOU	132	404	323	1	4.44	6.07	-1.93	-0.30	-1.07
119	John McCormick	1966	DEN	193	993	-	6	4.74	6.45	-1.66	0.05	-1.07
120	Mark Malone	1987	PIT	336	1896	-	6	4.87	6.47	-1.40	0.20	-1.07
121	Kyle Orton	2005	CHI	368	1138	731	9	4.57	6.15	-1.37	0.20	-1.06
122	Steve Romanik	1952	CHB	126	772	-	4	5.54	6.43	-0.69	0.20	-1.06
123	David Carr	2002	HOU	443	1475	1117	9	5.00	6.06	-1.32	-0.25	-1.06
124	Steve Stenstrom	1999	SF	100	242	294	0	3.89	6.08	-2.19	0.00	-1.06
125	Craig Whelihan	1998	SD	320	989	814	8	4.86	6.27	-1.41	0.00	-1.06
126	Mike Taliaferro	1968	BOS	176	889	-	4	4.50	6.39	-1.70	0.20	-1.06
127	John Stofa	1968	CIN	177	896	-	5	4.61	6.39	-1.68	0.10	-1.05
128	Marc Bulger	2008	STL	440	1384	1336	11	5.16	6.17	-1.30	-0.30	-1.05
129	Ryan Mallett	2015	2TM	242	882	454	5	5.00	6.50	-1.51	0.00	-1.05
130	Steve Bartkowski	1986	LRM	126	654	-	2	4.47	6.39	-1.92	0.00	-1.05
131	Jesse Palmer	2003	NYG	115	246	286	3	3.90	6.00	-2.00	0.10	-1.05
132	Steve Dils	1983	MIN	444	2840	-	11	5.61	6.60	-1.29	-0.30	-1.05
133	Curtis Painter	2011	IND	243	736	805	6	5.18	6.41	-1.48	-0.25	-1.04
134	Rick Mirer	1993	SEA	486	1615	1218	12	5.07	6.02	-1.25	-0.30	-1.03
135	Matthew Stafford	2009	DET	370	1031	1236	13	5.16	6.18	-1.32	-0.30	-1.03
136	Todd Blackledge	1984	KC	294	1707	-	6	5.05	6.55	-1.39	0.10	-1.03
137	Frank Tripucka	1950	CHC	108	720	-	4	6.07	6.44	-0.16	0.20	-1.03
138	Brady Quinn	2012	KC	197	616	525	2	4.66	6.33	-1.57	0.10	-1.03
139	Rick Mirer	1994	SEA	381	1264	887	11	5.06	6.07	-1.31	-0.30	-1.03
140	Zach Mettenberger	2015	TEN	165	503	432	4	4.84	6.50	-1.66	0.00	-1.02
141	Bob Lee	1974	ATL	172	852	-	3	4.31	5.94	-1.63	0.00	-1.02
142	Michael Vick	2014	NYJ	121	340	264	3	4.40	6.38	-1.88	0.10	-1.02
143	Koy Detmer	1998	PHI	181	410	601	5	4.48	6.27	-1.60	0.20	-1.02
144	Rick Mirer	1996	SEA	265	849	697	5	4.90	6.01	-1.41	-0.30	-1.02
145	Mike Livingston	1978	KC	290	1573	-	5	4.68	6.16	-1.38	0.10	-1.02
146	Marty Domres	1974	BAL	153	803	-	0	4.20	5.94	-1.69	0.05	-1.02
147	Jerry Tagge	1974	GB	146	709	-	1	4.02	5.94	-1.72	0.20	-1.02
148	John Skelton	2010	ARI	126	436	226	2	4.67	6.26	-1.83	-0.25	-1.01
149	Jack Concannon	1968	CHI	143	715	-	5	4.70	6.63	-1.73	0.20	-1.01
150	Brady Quinn	2009	CLE	256	680	659	8	4.57	6.18	-1.41	0.20	-1.01
151	Archie Manning	1974	NO	261	1429	-	6	4.84	5.94	-1.40	-0.30	-1.01
152	Y.A. Tittle	1960	SF	127	694	-	4	5.00	6.80	-1.80	0.00	-1.01
153	Chuck Long	1987	DET	416	2598	-	11	5.53	6.47	-1.25	-0.30	-1.01
154	John Beck	2007	MIA	105	297	262	1	4.27	6.23	-1.96	0.00	-1.00
155	Cotton Davidson	1966	OAK	139	770	-	2	4.72	6.45	-1.73	0.00	-1.00
156	Mike Phipps	1980	CHI	122	630	-	2	4.46	6.48	-1.82	0.20	-1.00
157	Chris Chandler	1993	PHO	103	244	227	3	4.05	6.02	-1.97	0.00	-1.00
158	Jack Kemp	1962	2TM	139	928	-	5	6.06	6.48	-0.42	0.00	-1.00
159	Steve Fuller	1979	KC	270	1484	-	6	4.84	6.31	-1.36	0.10	-1.00
160	John Brodie	1967	SF	349	2013	-	11	5.24	6.53	-1.28	0.00	-1.00
161	Bobby Scott	1976	NO	190	1065	-	4	4.91	6.12	-1.52	-0.30	-1.00
162	Trent Edwards	2010	2TM	101	264	257	2	4.28	6.26	-1.97	0.00	-0.99
163	Chad Henne	2013	JAC	502	1378	1863	13	5.12	6.31	-1.19	0.00	-0.99
164	Vinny Testaverde	2007	CAR	172	453	499	5	4.67	6.23	-1.57	0.00	-0.99
165	Eli Manning	2004	NYG	194	629	414	6	4.93	6.53	-1.50	0.10	-0.99
166	Gary Huff	1975	CHI	205	1083	-	3	4.52	6.19	-1.47	0.20	-0.99
167	Randy Johnson	1967	ATL	288	1620	-	10	5.19	6.53	-1.33	0.00	-0.99
168	Frankie Albert	1951	SF	166	1116	-	5	5.98	6.48	-0.50	0.00	-0.99
169	Greg Landry	1969	DET	160	853	-	4	4.77	6.57	-1.60	0.20	-0.99
170	Milt Plum	1967	DET	172	925	-	4	4.77	6.53	-1.56	0.20	-0.99
171	Jake Plummer	1999	ARI	381	1215	896	9	4.84	6.08	-1.24	0.00	-0.99
172	Shane Matthews	2000	CHI	178	455	509	3	4.32	6.05	-1.53	0.20	-0.99
173	Charley Johnson	1970	HOU	281	1652	-	7	5.20	6.22	-1.32	-0.30	-0.98
174	Mike Taliaferro	1970	BOS	173	871	-	4	4.49	6.22	-1.53	0.20	-0.98
175	Bobby Douglass	1971	CHI	225	1164	-	5	4.58	6.19	-1.40	0.20	-0.98
176	Karl Sweetan	1966	DET	309	1809	-	4	4.94	6.43	-1.29	0.20	-0.98
177	Joe Pisarcik	1979	NYG	108	537	-	2	4.35	6.31	-1.86	0.10	-0.98
178	Mike Taliaferro	1965	NYJ	119	531	-	3	4.07	5.95	-1.78	0.10	-0.98
179	Johnny Unitas	1971	BAL	176	942	-	3	4.62	6.19	-1.52	0.05	-0.98
180	Jim Zorn	1976	SEA	439	2571	-	12	5.23	6.12	-1.19	-0.30	-0.97
181	King Hill	1959	CHC	181	1015	-	7	5.26	6.84	-1.38	0.20	-0.97
182	Ted Marchibroda	1956	PIT	275	1585	-	12	5.48	6.70	-1.02	0.20	-0.97
183	Mike Phipps	1975	CLE	313	1749	-	4	4.73	6.19	-1.26	0.20	-0.97
184	Scott Mitchell	2000	CIN	187	593	373	3	4.49	6.05	-1.46	0.10	-0.97
185	Matt Robinson	1980	DEN	162	942	-	2	4.90	6.48	-1.53	0.05	-0.96
186	Rick Arrington	1971	PHI	118	576	-	2	4.24	6.19	-1.74	0.20	-0.96
187	Drew Bledsoe	1995	NE	636	2055	1452	13	4.78	6.08	-1.10	0.20	-0.96
188	Chad Hutchinson	2004	CHI	161	483	420	4	4.80	6.53	-1.53	0.20	-0.96
189	Bobby Thomason	1951	GB	221	1306	-	11	5.72	6.48	-0.55	0.20	-0.96
190	Ed Hargett	1971	NO	210	1191	-	6	5.11	6.19	-1.38	-0.30	-0.95
191	Scott Bull	1978	SF	121	651	-	1	4.47	6.16	-1.69	0.00	-0.95
192	James Harris	1971	BUF	103	512	-	1	4.17	6.19	-1.82	0.20	-0.95
193	Adrian Burk	1950	BAL	119	798	-	6	6.37	6.44	-0.01	0.05	-0.95
194	Dave Brown	1999	ARI	169	534	410	2	4.61	6.08	-1.47	0.00	-0.94
195	Kent Graham	1997	ARI	250	816	592	4	4.77	6.07	-1.30	0.00	-0.94
196	Archie Manning	1981	NO	232	1447	-	5	5.42	6.44	-1.32	-0.30	-0.94
197	Kordell Stewart	1999	PIT	275	836	628	6	4.62	6.08	-1.26	0.20	-0.94
198	Tommy O'Connell	1960	BUF	145	1033	-	7	6.66	6.34	0.52	0.20	-0.94
199	Brodie Croyle	2007	KC	223	672	555	6	4.80	6.23	-1.33	0.10	-0.94
200	Charley Trippi	1951	CHC	191	1191	-	8	5.83	6.48	-0.45	0.20	-0.94

I’ll leave the commentary to the readers. Do you think PY/A is an effective metric? Which seasons stand out to you?

Tagged as: Adam Steele, Guest Posts, Positive Air Yards

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