Strong Arm Tactics:

A History and Statistical Analysis of the Professional Quarterback

 

Left Handed Quarterbacks

Unlike baseball where players' handedness is listed as basic biographical data because it has such a significant impact on a player's hitting and fielding, football guides ignore this status. For quarterbacks, though, it is worth noting. Allie Sherman of the 1943 Steagles was the first left-handed professional T-formation quarterback, but the first star lefthander was Frankie Albert of the 49ers who was known for his crafty play and threw over 100 touchdown passes in the pros. Fellow 49er Steve Young became the first southpaw quarterback elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005. Today there are more than a handful of left-handed quarterbacks, including Michael Vick, Chris Simms, Matt Leinart, David Greene and Jared Lorenzen. Here are the passing statistics for all left-handed quarterbacks I have been able to uncover.

Left Handed Quarterbacks, through 2006

Quarterback Years G Attempts Comp % Yards Y/Att TD INT Sacked Lost Yards Rating
Allie Sherman 1943-47 49 135 66 48.9 823 6.1 9 10 0 0 59.6
Frankie Albert 1946-52 90 1564 831 53.1 10795 6.9 115 98 0 0.00% 73.5
Ernie Case 1947 14 11 4 36.4 49 4.45 0 1 0 0 13.1
Fred Wyant 1956 10 2 1 50 17 8.5 0 0 0 0 79.2
Terry Baker 1963-65 18 21 12 57.1 154 7.33 0 4 0 0 40.7
Bobby Douglass 1969-78 89 1178 507 43 6493 5.51 36 64 180 1335 48.5
Ken Stabler 1970-84 184 3793 2270 59.8 27938 7.37 194 222 281 2514 75.3
Jim Del Gaizo 1972-74 16 103 44 42.7 648 6.29 4 10 9 88 37.3
Dennis Morrison 1974 7 51 21 41.2 227 4.45 1 5 0 0 21.9
David Humm 1975-84 95 137 63 46 753 5.5 3 8 12 100 46.3
Jim Zorn 1976-85, 1987 140 3149 1669 53 21115 6.71 111 141 213 1585 67.3
Paul McDonald 1980-86 85 767 411 53.6 5269 6.87 24 37 78 521 65.7
Boomer Esiason 1984-97 188 5205 2969 57 37920 7.29 247 184 318 2438 81.1
Steve Young 1985-99 169 4149 2667 64.3 33124 7.98 232 107 358 2055 96.8
Erik Wilhelm 1989-91, 1993-94, 1996 23 133 77 56.6 912 6.71 5 6 8 43 71.1
Jeff Carlson 1990-92 7 114 49 43 636 5.58 2 9 14 94 34.1
Scott Mitchell 1991-2001 99 2346 1301 55.5 15692 6.69 95 81 155 882 75.3
Todd Marinovich 1991-92 8 205 104 50.7 1345 6.56 8 9 20 154 66.4
Will Furrer 1992, 1995 9 124 57 46 572 4.61 2 10 9 74 31.4
Mark Brunell 1994-06 157 4594 2738 59.6 31826 6.93 182 106 389 2388 84.2
Doug Nussmeier 1996-97 7 82 46 56.1 455 5.55 1 4 9 49 55.7
Steve Matthews
1997-98 3 43 28 65.1 299 7.0 0 0 1 0 85.3
Tony Graziani 1997-99 18 174 85 48.9 999 5.74 2 8 15 100 51.4
Cade McNown 1999-00 25 515 281 54.6 3111 6.04 16 19 45 263 67.7
Matt Lytle 2000-01 4 30 17 56.7 133 4.43 1 3 3 24 39.3
Brock Huard 2000-03 8 107 60 56.1 689 6.44 4 2 15 80 80.3
Michael Vick 2001-06 74 1730 930 53.8 11505 6.65 71 52 187 1153 75.7
Dave Ragone 2003 2 40 20 50 135 3.38 0 1 8 39 47.4
Chris Simms 2004-06 19 492 291 59.1 3087 6.27 12 17 43 312 71.2
Matt Leinart 2006-07 17 489 274 56 3194 6.53 13 16 25 181 71.2
Jared Lorenzen 2006-07 4 8 4 50 28 3.5 0 0 1 5 58.3
David Greene 2006 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

 

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Updated 4/21/09