The JTA’s Rank Sum

The JTA gives every player a score for every year. These scores are compared to each other to get the list of best quarterbacks, their scores are called the player’s Rank Sum.

The Rank Sum = Wins rank + (Stats rank *2) + Efficiency rank  + Wins Bonus

Wins– Ranking how many wins every quarterback has, a quarterback has to start the game to qualify for winning a game. Benefits the QBs on the best teams.

Stats– Sometimes referred to as a quarterback’s “General Statistics”, it is a combination of passing and rushing yards, and passing and rushing touchdowns, with interceptions and fumbles held against you. Benefits the QBs on the most pass happy teams.

Efficiency Rank– A quarterback’s passer rating, to qualify you have to make the top 36 in passing attempts (or 1.125 * number of teams in the league). Benefits the QBs who are the most efficient.

Wins Bonus– If a player is outright number one in Wins, his rank sum will get a bonus of minus two times however many games he is ahead. If a quarterback has won two more games than anyone else, he would get a Wins Bonus of -4.

This scoring is only based on how much a quarterback dominated, compared to their competition. This makes it one of the only statistics that you can directly compare quarterbacks across different eras because the goal has always been and will always be to dominate your competition as much as you can. Rule changes that make passing easier or changes how the game is played, may make it impossible to compare Johnny Unitas’ passing yards to Philip Rivers’ or any modern passers. Now using the JTA’s Rank Sum you can see how much each of them dominated in specific seasons. You can also use the JTA’s Career Scoring System to compare their careers.