Bill Parcells Rules & Commandments for Drafting QB's.

[Villain The Foe]

It seems like during the season when we're not satisfied with the results of our QB's we tend to quote respected coaches such as Bill Parcells and state the rules that they've put forth in regards to drafting a QB. 

I want to present Parcells rules and commandments for drafting a QB and I'd like to see how that stacks up against this draft class and if folks really support this philosophy or is it really about combines measurements and pro days. 

These are Bill Parcells Rules:

1. He must be a senior, because you need time and maturity to develop into a good professional quarterback.

2. He must be a graduate, because you want someone who takes his responsibilities seriously.

3. He must be a three-year starter, because you need to make sure his success wasn’t ephemeral and that he has lived as “the guy” for some period of time.

4. He must have at least 23 wins, because the big passing numbers must come in the context of winning games.

5. He must have at least a 2:1 TD to INT ratio

6. He must have at least a 60% completion percentage

7. He must have at least started 30 games.

These are Bill Parcells commandments:

1. Ignore other opinions – Press or TV, agents or advisors, family or wives, friends or relatives, fans or hangers on – ignore them on matters of football, they don’t know what’s happening here.

2. Clowns can’t run a huddle – don’t forget to have fun but don’t be the class clown. Clowns and leaders don’t mix. Clowns can’t run a huddle.

3. Fat QBs can’t avoid the rush – A quarterback throws with his legs more than his arm. Squat and run.

4. Know your job cold – this is not a game without errors. Keep yours to a minimum. Study.

5. Know your own players – Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent.

6. Be the same guy every day – in condition. Preparing to lead. Studying your plan. A coach can’t prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself and remember, impulse decisions usually equal mistakes.

7. Throwing the ball away is a good play – sacks, interceptions and fumbles are bad plays. Protect against those.

8. Learn to manage the game – personnel, play call, motions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock. Clock. Clock. Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.

9. Get your team in the end zone – passing stats and TD passes are not how you’re going to be judged. Your job is to get your team in the end zone and that is how you will be judged.

10. Don’t panic – when all around you is in chaos, you must be the hand that steers the ship. If you have a panic button so will everyone else. Our ship can’t have a panic button.

11. Don’t be a celebrity QB – we don’t need any of those. We need battlefield commanders that are willing to fight it out, every day, every week and every season and lead their team to win after win after win.

 

My question is, if we take Bill Parcells philosophy into account, what QB most fits with this? 

 

[Warfish]

Remind me... how many QBs did Tuna draft and how many were great pro QBs?

[Villain The Foe]

4 minutes ago, Warfish said:

Remind me... how many QBs did Tuna draft and how many were great pro QBs?

Im not sure, but if we apply his philiosophy to this draft class we could get a pretty clear idea of the QB's he would consider drafting. 

[Villain The Foe]

If we apply Tuna's "Rule philosophy" to the top guys in this draft class this is what we get...

Josh Allen, Wyoming

3 years as starter? No – 2

Is he a senior? Yes, will have degree

Did he graduate? Yes

Did he start 30 games? No – 25

Did he win 23 games? No – 16

TD:INT ratio at least 2:1? Yes – 44:21

Completion percentage over 60?  No – 56.2%

3/7 criteria met

 

Sam Darnold, USC

3 years as starter? No – 2

Is he a senior? No

Did he graduate? No

Did he start 30 games? No – 24

Did he win 23 games? No – 20

TD:INT ratio at least 2:1? Yes – 57:21

Completion percentage over 60?  Yes – 64.9%

2/7 criteria met

 

Lamar Jackson, Louisville

3 years as starter? Yes – 3

Is he a senior? No

Did he graduate? No

Did he start 30 games? Yes – 34

Did he win 23 games? Yes – 24

TD:INT ratio at least 2:1? Yes – 69:27

Completion percentage over 60?  No – 57%

4/7 criteria met

 

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma

3 years as starter? Yes – 3+

Is he a senior? Yes

Did he graduate? Yes

Did he start 30 games? Yes – 47

Did he win 23 games? Yes – 39

TD:INT ratio at least 2:1? Yes – 131:30

Completion percentage over 60?  Yes – 68.5%

7/7 criteria met

 

Josh Rosen, UCLA

3 years as starter? No – 2 and parts of a third

Is he a senior? No

Did he graduate? No

Did he start 30 games? Yes – 30

Did he win 23 games? No – 17

TD:INT ratio at least 2:1? Yes – 59:26

Completion percentage over 60?  Yes – 60.8%

3/7 criteria met

 

Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State

3 years as starter? Yes – 3

Is he a senior? Yes

Did he graduate? Yes

Did he start 30 games? Yes – 41

Did he win 23 games? Yes – 32

TD:INT ratio at least 2:1? Yes – 92:26

Completion percentage over 60?  Yes – 63.2%

7/7 criteria met

 

Final Tally

7/7 – Mayfield, Rudolph

4/7 – Jackson

3/7 – Allen, Rosen

2/7 – Darnold

[Adoni Beast]

13 minutes ago, Warfish said:

Remind me... how many QBs did Tuna draft and how many were great pro QBs?

Bledsoe, Pennington, Romo.

 

[Persiussa]

I don’t really buy into the Parcells way of drafting qbs. It’s nice in theory but it caused him to pass on Matt Ryan and take Chad Henne in the 2nd round instead. Ryan had a 59.3 completion percentage as a senior and his touchdown to interception ratio was 31-19.  Sometimes sticking to a definite formula makes you do things that aren’t smart down the road. 

[Villain The Foe]

13 minutes ago, Persiussa said:

I don’t really buy into the Parcells way of drafting qbs. It’s nice in theory but it caused him to pass on Matt Ryan and take Chad Henne in the 2nd round instead. Ryan had a 59.3 completion percentage as a senior and his touchdown to interception ratio was 31-19.  Sometimes sticking to a definite formula makes you do things that aren’t smart down the road. 

This is a good response.

Matt Ryan's career completion percentage during his 3 years as a starter was over 60% so he fit the criteria. Also, the philosophy isnt to pick a QB but to narrow the class down to quarterbacks that are accurate, make good decisions, are mentally tough and finish what they start. Once you narrow it down on this basis, then you can start looking for traits and particular identifiers in order to make a decision. 

The fact that Matt Ryan fits the criteria says alot about the criteria and the quality of QB it could identify. Picking the QB however is a different story. 

 

Matt Ryan didnt fit every rule, but in terms of completion percentage he did. 

[Villain The Foe]

31 minutes ago, Persiussa said:

I don’t really buy into the Parcells way of drafting qbs. It’s nice in theory but it caused him to pass on Matt Ryan and take Chad Henne in the 2nd round instead. Ryan had a 59.3 completion percentage as a senior and his touchdown to interception ratio was 31-19.  Sometimes sticking to a definite formula makes you do things that aren’t smart down the road. 

This is Ryan's breakdown.

3 years as starter? Yes – 3

Is he a senior? Yes

Did he graduate? Yes

Did he start 30 games? Yes – 36

Did he win 23 games? Yes – 27

TD:INT ratio at least 2:1? No- 31-19

Completion percentage over 60?  Yes – 61%

6/7 criteria met

 

The philosophy identified Matt Ryan, Bill Parcells simply didnt draft him. 

[Persiussa]

The funny thing is, that rule could also cause you to pass on all of the top qbs to take Mason Rudolph in the 2nd and I’m just not sure that would be a smart move. 

As much as I like Mayfield and he fits that criteria, the air raid college offense wasn’t as much of a factor when Parcells was drawing up his formula.  The air raid qb is not mentally prepared for the nfl game.  Those guys look toward the sideline because the coach has the play call but they also tell the qb what the defense is lined up in.  They’re not learning the mental game in college and are basically unprepared for the nfl. 

That doesn’t mean that these qbs can’t ever become something good,it just means they’re very far behind the 8 ball when it comes to learning complex pro systems.  Yes baker has physical skills, accuracy and a great fiery personality but he’ll be starting from square 1 mentally so in my opinion he’s behind the other 3 qbs because they have all been somewhat mentally prepared.  Whoever drafts mayfield will be forced to do what he was good at in college for the next 3 years at least before they start asking him to 100% run an nfl system.

[Villain The Foe]

12 minutes ago, Persiussa said:

The funny thing is, that rule could also cause you to pass on all of the top qbs to take Mason Rudolph in the 2nd and I’m just not sure that would be a smart move. 

As much as I like Mayfield and he fits that criteria, the air raid college offense wasn’t as much of a factor when Parcells was drawing up his formula.  The air raid qb is not mentally prepared for the nfl game.  Those guys look toward the sideline because the coach has the play call but they also tell the qb what the defense is lined up in.  They’re not learning the mental game in college and are basically unprepared for the nfl. 

That doesn’t mean that these qbs can’t ever become something good,it just means they’re very far behind the 8 ball when it comes to learning complex pro systems.  Yes baker has physical skills, accuracy and a great fiery personality but he’ll be starting from square 1 mentally so in my opinion he’s behind the other 3 qbs because they have all been somewhat mentally prepared.  Whoever drafts mayfield will be forced to do what he was good at in college for the next 3 years at least before they start asking him to 100% run an nfl system.

True, but this same rule would have forced Bill Parcells to pass on Mike Vick 1st overall and instead draft Drew Brees in the 2nd round. 

 

You let know know what QB ended up being better. 

[bla bla bla]

I think I sounds good on paper but a lot of really good QBs are only doing 3 years because of the risk of injury. I don't see this as gospel but it would make me feel better about Mayfield I suppose. I'm 100% on the Mayfield hype train without this reasoning though.

Darnold

Rosen

Mayfield 

That's the 3 guys in order that I'd be ecstatic with at 3.

[nyjunc]

Bill Parcells drafted one decent QB and did so w/ the #1 overall pick.

[Villain The Foe]

5 minutes ago, bla bla bla said:

I think I sounds good on paper but a lot of really good QBs are only doing 3 years because of the risk of injury. I don't see this as gospel but it would make me feel better about Mayfield I suppose. I'm 100% on the Mayfield hype train without this reasoning though.

Darnold

Rosen

Mayfield 

That's the 3 guys in order that I'd be ecstatic with at 3.

But being a senior is just 1 of the 7 rules. If you're a junior coming out but you still have over 30 starts and more than 23 wins, a 2:1 TD/INT ratio and a 60% or higher completion rate I dont think that you'd simply be dismissed. 

However, these are still qualities that should be taken into consideration because it could also contribute to maturity and completion. Baker Mayfield could have declared for the draft last year, he said he went back to school in order to get another Big 12 championship and compete for a national title because he felt that if he left that his college career would be incomplete. Not many college QB's think like this. Mayfield is first heisman QB since Tim Tebow to play in the senior bowl. The dude does what others wouldnt. These are the things that this philosophy can help identify. 

[chirorob]

46 minutes ago, Persiussa said:

I don’t really buy into the Parcells way of drafting qbs. It’s nice in theory but it caused him to pass on Matt Ryan and take Chad Henne in the 2nd round instead. Ryan had a 59.3 completion percentage as a senior and his touchdown to interception ratio was 31-19.  Sometimes sticking to a definite formula makes you do things that aren’t smart down the road. 

There are also a lot more college qbs who come out earlier now.   Its harder to find what he is looking for.

[chirorob]

4 minutes ago, nyjunc said:

Bill Parcells drafted one decent QB and did so w/ the #1 overall pick.

He was there for Sims, got Hostetler to a SB, got Bledsoe, got Romo.   He helped with some.    Hes no QB whisperer, but he did ok.

[bla bla bla]

1 minute ago, Villain The Foe said:

But being a senior is just 1 of the 7 rules. If you're a junior coming out but you still have over 30 starts and more than 23 wins and a 60% or higher completion rate I dont think that you'd simply be dismissed. 

However, these are still qualities that should be taken into consideration because it could also contribute to maturity and completion. Baker Mayfield could have declared for the draft last year, he said he went back to school in order to get another Big 12 championship and compete for a national title because he felt that if he left that his college career would be incomplete. Not many college QB's think like this. Mayfield is first heisman QB since Tim Tebow to play in the senior bowl. The dude does what others wouldnt. These are the things that this philosophy can help identify. 

Oo I agree completely, that is while I'm so high on Mayfield. I do hope that Rosen and Darnold are off the board because I think Mayfield is going to be special. As unpopular as it would be I'd support a Mayfield pick with either of the other 2 still on the board, I just think you are playing with dynamite by doing that.

[LIJetsFan]

9 minutes ago, bla bla bla said:

I think I sounds good on paper but a lot of really good QBs are only doing 3 years because of the risk of injury. I don't see this as gospel but it would make me feel better about Mayfield I suppose. I'm 100% on the Mayfield hype train without this reasoning though.

Darnold

Rosen

Mayfield 

That's the 3 guys in order that I'd be ecstatic with at 3.

I think you're missing the point.  There are 7 criteria.  The more boxes you check the better.  Period.  This year I would have held out for Mayfield at 6 or move up in the 2nd for Jackson depending on how things were falling.  I hate that we traded our draft away.   

[SAR I]

1 hour ago, Villain The Foe said:

My question is, if we take Bill Parcells philosophy into account, what QB most fits with this?

Kirk Cousins.

SAR I

[Villain The Foe]

6 minutes ago, chirorob said:

There are also a lot more college qbs who come out earlier now.   Its harder to find what he is looking for.

This is a fair assessment in respects to more guys coming out earlier. But again, being a senior is just 1 of the 7 rules. Also, alot of times this perspective of yours is really just addressing the popular guys at the top of the popularity chart....(Rosen and Darnold this year for example). But this philosophy isnt just exclusive to the top of the board. 

This philosophy identified Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins. Imagine if the Redskins would have taken that into consideration instead of mortgaging their future in order to draft another guy who fit that criteria in RG3? Wilson was a 3rd round pick yet is the best QB of this draft year and Kirk Cousins is the 3rd best QB of this draft who was a 4th round pick and is currently the highest paid player in the league with the first guaranteed contract in modern league history. 

Imagine if the Redskins saved their picks and took a chance on a Wilson or Kirk (as they did anyway)? 

And by no means was RG3 bad, injuries did him in but his stats for his career are pretty respectable. 

Taking this philosophy into account is showing alot of things based on hindsight. Im not saying that's its 100% accurate, but to see the QB's that fit this criteria that are successful in this league, regardless of the round drafted says something. 

[bla bla bla]

3 minutes ago, LIJetsFan said:

I think you're missing the point.  There are 7 criteria.  The more boxes you check the better.  Period.  This year I would have held out for Mayfield at 6 or move up in the 2nd for Jackson depending on how things were falling.  I hate that we traded our draft away.   

You could not guarantee that Mayfield would be there at 6 and you couldn't guarantee that Jackson would be there at 37 though. For the price we paid you now have a choice between at least 2 QBs, if we had stayed at 6 there is a real possibility that none could have fallen.

I love keeping draft picks but we knew Sheldon was being moved for QB ammo, I'm not sure I'd include that pick as a loss. Would have been nice to have it but I firmly believe Macc held out for a 2nd rounder so we had the most ammo to get our guy.

Take the guess work out of the equation and get the most important position in perfessional sports. I don't think the Eagles or Rams are upset with their moves and it's not like we gave up an RG3 type bounty.

[Villain The Foe]

7 minutes ago, SAR I said:

Kirk Cousins.

SAR I

You're absolutely correct. 

[Dunnie]

just out of curiosity .. how did Montana, Bradshaw, Manning, Rothlensburger, Marino, Brady and Elway score ?

[JetFaninMI]

Well how long ago was that? 15-20 years? Athletes have changed, conditioning has changed, and even the way they train nowadays has changed. The criteria is sound don't get me wrong but its coming from a guy who's personnel decisions on the field were just okay. The thing that really has me torn is that the guy I have been talking up for better than a year fits all that criteria! So I actually agree with the "Great Parcells". Scary. So I guess if the Jets draft Mayfield and he is a bust we can blame it all on Parcells? I'm in! LOL j/k.

[Larz]

The Jets probably could have gotten Mason Rudolph at 6

 

[The Crusher]

1 hour ago, Villain The Foe said:

It seems like during the season when we're not satisfied with the results of our QB's we tend to quote respected coaches such as Bill Parcells and state the rules that they've put forth in regards to drafting a QB. 

I want to present Parcells rules and commandments for drafting a QB and I'd like to see how that stacks up against this draft class and if folks really support this philosophy or is it really about combines measurements and pro days. 

These are Bill Parcells Rules:

1. He must be a senior, because you need time and maturity to develop into a good professional quarterback.

2. He must be a graduate, because you want someone who takes his responsibilities seriously.

3. He must be a three-year starter, because you need to make sure his success wasn’t ephemeral and that he has lived as “the guy” for some period of time.

4. He must have at least 23 wins, because the big passing numbers must come in the context of winning games.

5. He must have at least a 2:1 TD to INT ratio

6. He must have at least a 60% completion percentage

7. He must have at least started 30 games.

These are Bill Parcells commandments:

1. Ignore other opinions – Press or TV, agents or advisors, family or wives, friends or relatives, fans or hangers on – ignore them on matters of football, they don’t know what’s happening here.

2. Clowns can’t run a huddle – don’t forget to have fun but don’t be the class clown. Clowns and leaders don’t mix. Clowns can’t run a huddle.

3. Fat QBs can’t avoid the rush – A quarterback throws with his legs more than his arm. Squat and run.

4. Know your job cold – this is not a game without errors. Keep yours to a minimum. Study.

5. Know your own players – Who’s fast? Who can catch? Who needs encouragement? Be precise. Know your opponent.

6. Be the same guy every day – in condition. Preparing to lead. Studying your plan. A coach can’t prepare you for every eventuality. Prepare yourself and remember, impulse decisions usually equal mistakes.

7. Throwing the ball away is a good play – sacks, interceptions and fumbles are bad plays. Protect against those.

8. Learn to manage the game – personnel, play call, motions, ball handling, proper reads, accurate throws, play fakes. Clock. Clock. Clock. Don’t you ever lose track of the clock.

9. Get your team in the end zone – passing stats and TD passes are not how you’re going to be judged. Your job is to get your team in the end zone and that is how you will be judged.

10. Don’t panic – when all around you is in chaos, you must be the hand that steers the ship. If you have a panic button so will everyone else. Our ship can’t have a panic button.

11. Don’t be a celebrity QB – we don’t need any of those. We need battlefield commanders that are willing to fight it out, every day, every week and every season and lead their team to win after win after win.

 

My question is, if we take Bill Parcells philosophy into account, what QB most fits with this? 

 

Rule 8. Avoid QBs with really long necks because they usually suck. 

[Larz]

2 minutes ago, Dunnie said:

just out of curiosity .. how did Montana, Bradshaw, Manning, Rothlensburger, Marino, Brady and Elway score ?

Rodgers and Brady fail the test 

Lol

[Villain The Foe]

1 minute ago, Dunnie said:

just out of curiosity .. how did Montana, Bradshaw, Manning, Rothlensburger, Marino, Brady and Elway score ?

Guys like Montana, and Marino scored terribly. Elway, Manning and Rothlisberger scored through the roof. I cant find Bradshaw's college numbers and Brady scored ok...but that could be because the Michigan coach didnt play him earlier in his career and was having that senseless competition with Drew Henson. However, if you take Brady's numbers as a senior he checks the boxes. 

 

[Persiussa]

I bet the following air raid qbs did well on the Parcells list but busted on the nfl level.

geno smith

bryce petty

tim couch

david carr

brandon weeden

kevin kolb

john beck

air raid qbs are dangerous and mayfield is one of them.

 

[Villain The Foe]

6 minutes ago, The Crusher said:

Rule 8. Avoid QBs with really long necks because they usually suck. 

The 17th best QB in league history actually did well for himself with Tuna's rule. 

I cant wait for Sam Darnold to injury his pinky toe by week three and Glennon marches the Cards to a superbowl just so I can see how many folks are willing to trade the Jets 1st round pick next year for Mike Glennon!

[JiFtheOracle]

It’s a dated philosophy.  I used to live by the never take undeclassmen rule but nowadays  anyone good enough to be taken in the top of round 1 would be a fool to return for his Senior year. 

 

[Obrien2Toon]

The only thing I remember from these rules was C. Henne

[Villain The Foe]

7 minutes ago, Persiussa said:

I bet the following air raid qbs did well on the Parcells list but busted on the nfl level.

geno smith

bryce petty

tim couch

david carr

brandon weeden

kevin kolb

john beck

air raid qbs are dangerous and mayfield is one of them.

 

You forgot to add Derek Carr- franchise QB, Jared Goff- Led the NFL's #1 highest scoring offense, Nick Foles- Superbowl MVP, Case Keenum- NFCCG participant, Patrick Mahomes- Chiefs just traded away Alex Smith to start him. 

I would assume that these air-raid QB's would have done very well in Parcells rulebook. And for what its worth....many of these guys you forgot to put on your list are successful. 

I would assume that the "success" part was the reason why they missed your list. 

[The Crusher]

1 minute ago, JiF said:

It’s a dated philosophy.  I used to live by the never take undeclassmen rule but nowadays  anyone good enough to be taken in the top of round 1 would be a fool to return for his Senior year. 

 

Reasonably some of the criteria should carry more weight than others but all in all it’s a place to to start. 

[Persiussa]

14 minutes ago, Villain The Foe said:

You forgot to add Derek Carr- franchise QB, Jared Goff- Led the NFL's #1 highest scoring offense, Nick Foles- Superbowl MVP, Case Keenum- NFCCG participant, Patrick Mahomes- Chiefs just traded away Alex Smith to start him. 

I would assume that these air-raid QB's would have done very well in Parcells rulebook. And for what its worth....many of these guys you forgot to put on your list are successful. 

I would assume that the "success" part was the reason why they missed your list. 

I will agree that it appears teams may be figuring out how to take these air raid qbs and make something of them.  With Case Keenum just like Alex smith it took them about 7 years to develop in a traditional nfl way.  That’s just too long.  

Goff is a very interesting case, terrible his first year franchise qb in is 2nd.  I heard an interesting story on Sirius nfl radio that the head coach is allowed to talk into his qbs headset until there’s a specific amount of time left on the play clock.  Supposedly mcveigh would allow the offense to line up and he would tell Goff into his earpiece everything he was seeing about the defense until his earpiece would automatically cut off. That had never been done before.

as far a mahomes and Foles go, Foles was no good when taken away from Andy Reid. Andy just knows how to use these guys and because of that so does Doug Peterson. 

Derek Carr told a story on nfl radio that his brother taught him nfl concepts since he was 9 years old 

Im not saying I hate mayfield or that he can’t be successful.  I’m just trying to show that despite Parcells formula there might be a greater risk with him than you realize.  Personally I think he’s the biggest risk of the 4.

[Jet Blast]

This is an interesting thread.

I don't know how many years ago Bill Parcells came up with these rules, but the world has changed since then. At the time, it was undoubtedly prudent. In a perfect world, of course you want your QB to meet all the criteria he outlines. These days players come out early more often than they did in the past. I think that negates, or at least lowers the importance of some of his rules, including the following rules:

1. He must be a senior, because you need time and maturity to develop into a good professional quarterback.

2. He must be a graduate, because you want someone who takes his responsibilities seriously.

3. He must be a three-year starter, because you need to make sure his success wasn’t ephemeral and that he has lived as “the guy” for some period of time.

4. He must have at least 23 wins, because the big passing numbers must come in the context of winning games.

7. He must have at least started 30 games.

 

Looking at the Villian's checklist, you would be ruling out many of this year's best prospects. If you stand steadfastly by Parcells' rules then you limit your choice of QB's, making it more difficult to find that elusive franchise QB.