ESPN's Peter Keating wrote an article entitled "Black QBs are underrated and underpaid". The opening line of the article is "Is the NFL's quarterback rating system racist?". He goes on to say that is a trick question, but does not back off his idea that the QB rating system is racist, and the league doesn't want black QB's leading their team. Here is part of the article...
"Since 2005, just five starting signal-callers have had seasons of 100 or more snaps in which they ran the ball on more than 15 percent of their plays: Vince Young (four times), Michael Vick (three), David Garrard (two), Jason Campbell and Tarvaris Jackson. All are African-American. Of the top 10 seasons in yards per carry by starting QBs over that span, seven are by black QBs, topped by Vick's amazing 8.4 YPC in 2006. To be clear, these numbers don't mean that all black QBs rush for more yards than all white QBs or that black players have more speed than white players. But they do indicate that running tends to be a far more important part of overall play for QBs who are African-American than for those who aren't.
Why? Nobody knows for sure, but I have a theory. Suppose that, whether because of old stereotypes, old habits or some unarticulated mix of the two, it's hard for many coaches and recruiters to envision a black quarterback leading their team (ESPN - click for full article, so you might need ESPN Insider)."
Ugh, I delayed for awhile writing about this, because I usually get crushed if I even touch race, but I just couldn't leave this one alone. This statement is one of the most ludicrous things I have ever read.
Rating system being racist? Just silly. It's a passer rating, the point of the stat is to know how well the guy passes the ball. You know how you know how a player runs? It's called rushing yards, and yards per carry. Does anyone look at Vick's stats and only look at his passing stats? If you do you're a fool, and know nothing about him (or football), so shame on you.
Black QB's being underpaid? David Garrard made more then Tom Brady last year. Let me repeat that David Garrard got paid more then Tom Brady last year. Vick is only in his 2nd year out of jail, and is just getting a chance to start. He was paid very well before his arrest, and will be again if he stays out of trouble, plays like he did early this year, and stay healthy. McNabb, Russell, McNair, along with the guys already mentioned have been paid just like everyone else.
There very well could be racism in the NFL. You could argue that there isn't enough black coaches, when comparing how many black players there have been. You could argue about their being little or no black owners, and I think you could have a great case, but PLEASE don't tell me that the league is racist against black QB's and that the stat lines are racist, because I am damn sure that Vick (prearrest) made some serious cash once again, along with JaMarcus Russell, McNabb, McNair, and so on. It's just a dumb statement and this article just doesn't make any sense.
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