This analysis was done to once and for all to put to bed the idea that Matt Barkley was the best or even a top 3 SC QB. Yes, he might be the best person or trojan, no argument there, he's a great guy, but if we're talking about where he ranks as a QB, the stats just don't support the idea that he's one of our recent best.
First let me explain the analysis. Matt Barkley played all 4 years, other recent SC QBs played a range of years that varied from 1 to 4. Since the only way to truly compare the QB's performances based on their all time numbers is to adjust their statistics to reflect the same amount of games played. Matt Barkley played 47 Games. The Stats below reflect what each QB's career statistics would be based on 47 games played AND their career averages per game. One final note, these statistics are based solely on their years as starters.
Yards TDs Ints Pass/Atmps
Carson Palmer 10,648 65 43 1,425
Matt Leinert 12,866 119 28 1,500
JD Booty 11,664 106 39 1,586
Mark Sanchez 11,595 123 36 1,323
Matt Barkley 12,327 116 48 1,562
Cody Kessler 11,842 101 22 1,443
Sam Darnold 12,584 99 38 1,473
Once the data is analysed, it becomes apparent that Barkley benefitted from 3 things. The first was that he played all 4 years. The 2nd is that he started more games than the other QBs, and 3rd, he attempted more passes than any other QB. Barkley benefitted from an opportunity that the other QBs did not enjoy. Also important to note is the pass attempts of Mark Sanchez. He did not attempt many passes compared to the other SC QBs having attempted only 1,323 passes. Given his low Attempts, once that is equalized Sanchez starts to jump off the page! Based on just a "what it" they all played 47 games, Matt Leinert is definitely the king of SC QBs! Also, while Barkley places a respectable 3rd in total yards, it comes at a great cost as he threw far more ints at 48 than any other QB.
The next set of statistics below are the most accurate, they are definitive because even though the first set was equalized for number of games played, some QBs threw the ball far more often than others. The statistics below reflect adjusting the statistics to 47 games, AND also adjusting so that each QB would have attempted the same amount of passes.
Yards TDs Ints
Carson Palmer 11,672 71 47
Matt Leinert 13,416 122 29
JD Booty 11,490 104 38
Mark Sanchez 13,687 175 43
Matt Barkley 12,327 116 48
Cody Kessler 12,816 110 41
Sam Darnold 13,347 106 41
Once all the proper adjustments are made and we are truly comparing apples to apples it is very clear who were SCs most productive QBs. The first statistic that just jumps off the page is that Sanchez would have throw for 13,687 yards which is over 1,200 yards more than Barkley. Also Mark Sanchez would have thrown for 175 TDs which is 59 more than Barkley and would have thrown 5 less ints. Behind Sanchez is Leinert with 13,416 yards and 122 TDs with only 29 ints! Lastly, once everything is equalized only Carson Palmer and JD Booty would throw for less yards than Barkley although Booty threw for 10 less ints. All other QBs in the sample once properly adjusted become comparable to Barkley with many out producing him in many categories. For example, Cody Kessler put up very similar statistics as Barkley. Kessler would throw for more yards and 7 less ints while only throw 1.25 TDs less per season. The same argument can be made for Sam Darnold, once his stats are adjusted to reflect as many games and attempted passes his numbers are superior in 2 of the 3 categories.
I think 2 conclusions are obvious based on the actual data:
1) Everyone owes Mark Sanchez a dirty apology because he was dealing!
2) We can put to rest that Barkley was the best of all time or even close to it (we did not look at Marinovich, Peet, or Johnson) once you consider how few yards, TDs and how many INTs those yards and TDs cost. Barkley clearly was only better than Carson Palmer. Booty can make the claim that he put up slightly inferior stats but with far fewer ints.
Like I've always said on the boards, Barkley was a good SC QB BUT not a great one. Great guy, just not a great QB.
I have ALL the data on an Excel spreadsheet if anyone wants me to email it to them.
