Dual-threat Quarterbacks
A dual-threat quarterback possesses the skills and physique to run with the ball if necessary. With the rise of several blitz heavy defensive schemes and increasingly faster defensive players, the importance of a mobile quarterback has been redefined. While arm power, accuracy, and pocket presence – the ability to successfully operate from within the "pocket" formed by his blockers – are still the most important quarterback virtues, the ability to elude or run past defenders creates an additional threat that allows greater flexibility in the team's passing and running game.
Dual-threat quarterbacks have historically been more prolific at the college level. Typically, a quarterback with exceptional quickness is used in an option offense, which allows the quarterback to either hand the ball off, run it himself, or pitch it to the running back following him at a distance of three yards outside and one yard behind. This type of offense forces defenders to commit to either the running back up the middle, the quarterback around the end, or the running back trailing the quarterback. It is then that the quarterback has the "option" to identify which match up is most favorable to the offense as the play unfolds and exploit that defensive weakness. In the college game, many schools employ several plays that are designed for the quarterback to run with the ball. This is much less common in professional football, except for a quarterback sneak, but there is still an emphasis on being mobile enough to escape a heavy pass rush.
Super Bowl XXIX MVP and Hall of Famer Steve Young was famously known for being a dual-threat quarterback. He was the first player ever to win the Super Bowl with the most touchdowns (6) and being the leading rusher of the game. NFL quarterbacks who have rushed for more than 30 yards per game in a season (minimum 10 games) are Michael Vick (7 seasons), Randall Cunningham (6 seasons), Steve Young (4 seasons), Donovan McNabb (3 seasons), Steve McNair (3 seasons), Tobin Rote (3 seasons), Daunte Culpepper (3 seasons), Bobby Douglass (3 seasons), Cam Newton (2 seasons), Vince Young (1 season), Rich Gannon (1 season), Kordell Stewart (1 season), Johnny Lujack (1 season), Bobby Layne (1 season), Mark Brunell (1 season), Ryan Tannehill (1 season), Russell Wilson (1 season), Tim Tebow (1 season), Colin Kaepernick (1 season), Robert Griffin III (1 season) and Steve Grogan (1 season). Michael Vick owns NFL quarterback records for single-season rushing yards (1,039 in 2006) and career rushing yards (5,551).
Here are the Top 10 NFL single-season rushing performances for a quarterback:
1) Michael Vick, 1,039 yards, 2006 Atlanta Falcons
2) Bobby Douglass, 968 yards, 1972 Chicago Bears
3) Randall Cunningham, 942 yards, 1990 Philadelphia Eagles
4) Michael Vick, 902 yards, 2004 Atlanta Falcons
5) Robert Griffin III, 815 yards, 2012 Washington Redskins
6) Michael Vick, 777 yards, 2002 Atlanta Falcons
7) Cam Newton, 741 yards, 2012 Carolina Panthers
8) Cam Newton, 706 yards, 2011 Carolina Panthers
9) Michael Vick, 676 yards, 2010 Philadelphia Eagles
10) Steve McNair, 674 yards, 1997 Tennessee Oilers
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