Since my running back heat maps post was so popular, I thought it made sense to perform the same analysis for quarterbacks. So here’s what I did. And as a reminder, BLUE means GOOD or above-average, while RED means BAD, or below-average.

I looked at all quarterbacks with at least 100 dropbacks (i.e., pass attempts + sacks) in 2014, and then measured on what percent of their dropbacks did each quarterback gain at least 0 yards , at least 1 yard , at least 2 yards, etc., up to 10 yards. I also calculated the percentage of runs that went for at least 15+, 20+, 25+, and 30+ yards.

For example, among this group, the quarterbacks gained at least 0 yards on 92% of their dropbacks, and at least 1 yard on 56% of their dropbacks. Last year, Drew Brees gained at least 0 yards on 94% of his dropbacks, 1 yard on 63%, and 2 yards on 62% of his dropbacks; in other words, he was 2% above average at avoiding negative yards, 7% above average at getting at least 1 yard, and 8% above average at gaining at least 3 yards. In fact, Brees was between 7-8% above average at gaining between 1+ and 5+ yards on his dropbacks, although a hair below average at gaining over 20 or 25 yards on his dropbacks.

Drew Stanton and Brian Hoyer have a pair of interesting splits. Both were above average at avoiding sacks but below-average in completion percentage because they were vertical throwers; as a result, they’re each in the blue in the first column, then in the red for the next several columns, before getting back into the blue because they made a number of big plays.

And for those who want the information in table form: