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Here's the direct quote from KC Joyner, the resident Football Scientist at ESPN Magazine.
Locker had the NFL's best BDR (bad decision rate) in 2012 (0.6%). That is not a misprint; he made only two miscues on 314 attempts. Don't expect a huge regression: The Titans face the easiest collection of pass D's, according to my metrics.
I couldn't find an online version of the story, nor could I find a list of the quarterbacks to see how they all ranked out, but here's a couple for you to compare to Jake Locker's 0.6% The scale is as follows:
Elite < 1.5%, Good =2%, Average=2.5%, Bad=3%, Terrible> 3.5%
- Matt Schaub 1.8%
- Andrew Luck 3.0%
- Blaine Gabbert 1.7%
- Tom Brady 0.9%
- Mark Sanchez 3.1%
- Joe Flacco 3.0%
- Peyton Manning 1.6%
- Robert Griffin III 1.2%
- Colin Kaepernick 2.2%
- Russell Wilson 1.2%
I'm not exactly sure what Joyner's criteria for the statistics is, but I believe it just has to do with bad decision making on throws. Simply whether or not the QB should have attempted that particular pass or not. I do not believe it has anything to do with the outcome of the throw, or other areas of the quarterbacks responsibilities (recognizing blitzes, identifying coverages, adjusting protection, etc.) I have no proof of these assumptions however, as I cannot find an explanation anywhere in the magazine or online.
Either way, it's a very interesting stat to take note of. This preseason, fans have seen Locker playing with decisiveness and accuracy both, as well as the offense moving the ball better than it has in some time. You can tell an increased comfort level with Locker and the receivers with the new play calling and diminished option routes.
Locker's ability to make good decisions in college caused many throw aways when a play was not there as opposed to forcing the issue. This of course did not help his completion percentage or the perception of his accuracy issues. After a turbulent 11 starts last year while playing injured and behind third string offensive linemen, Locker has been accredited with many defects. He may have his faults, but decision making isn't one of them.