Matty Ice's adjusted yards/attempt (career average of 6.8 AY/A - 12th among active QBs) is a contentious issue around these parts.
Some argue it's not his fault, due to MM's conservative play calling and a lack of offensive (specifically deep threat) weapons to work with. Others argue he'll need to raise his AY/A average to be great/bring The Lombardi to the A-T-L. Here's the top ten all-time single-season AY/A averages:
| Peyton Manning (28) | 10.24 | 2004 (lost in divisional playoffs) |
IND |
| Joe Montana (33) | 9.54 | 1989 (SB champion) |
SFO |
| Chris Chandler (33) | 9.52 | 1998 (SB loser) |
ATL |
| Roger Staubach (29) | 9.49 | 1971 (SB champion) |
DAL |
| Tom Brady (30) | 9.42 | 2007 (SB loser) |
NWE |
| Dan Marino (23) | 9.36 | 1984 (SB loser) |
MIA |
| Bert Jones (25) | 9.27 | 1976 (lost in divisional playoffs) |
BAL |
| Randall Cunningham (35) | 9.26 | 1998 (NFC championship loser) |
MIN |
| Kurt Warner (28) | 9.19 | 1999 (SB champion) |
STL |
| Steve Young (33) | 9.15 | 1994 (SB champion) |
SFO |
To be fair, stellar AYAs do seem to produce playoff and, more often than not, SB appearances. Still, I'm still lost re: how Ryan can raise his AYA with MM at the reins/Roddy as his only deep threat. I mean, he could just audible his butt off and hope like heck that Jenks/Douglas suddenly realize their deep threat potential. Otherwise the only way his AY/A goes up IMO is if we draft another second receiver/MM takes a few more chances down-field.
What say y'all?