# Sports players you remember being really good... that weren't

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-players-you-remember-being-really-good-that-werent/502947>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [July 14, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-players-you-remember-being-really-good-that-werent/502947 "2009-07-14T04:29:41Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [July 20, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-players-you-remember-being-really-good-that-werent/502947/21 "2009-07-20T17:27:27Z")

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Wily Mo Pena.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-players-you-remember-being-really-good-that-werent/502947/22 "2009-07-21T05:31:14Z")

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> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> Meaningless statistic. Yard per catch also factors in how far the receiver ran with the ball.

Okay, first, it’s yards per _attempt_, not catch. YPA happens to be the best single number from the box score to rate QB performance with. The worst is total yards, which is the stat you presented after calling YPA meaningless. Not your finest argument.

> [@](#):
>
> Pure opinion on your part, since most QBs only call their own plays when an audible is needed. Back in the 60s, the QB had to call not only the current play, but have rough plans on what he’d be doing next. In addition, he would need to spot weaknesses in the defense (which are now noticed by the coach in the booth). It makes the job harder then when the play is called for you and you can concentrate solely on execution.

Audibles? I’m talking about the two minute drill, where the QB calls plays for most – if not all – of the drive.

As to it being my opinion, uh, no kidding? How is your argument not pure opinion on your part? Do you have any evidence that getting the play in from the sideline is easier for a QB than just calling his own plays? Did god spake it from the mountaintop or something?

Calling your own plays gives you more time since you don’t have to spend 10-15 seconds listening to the coordinator. It also gives you the advantage of feedback from your ball handlers. “My guy came up a little gimpy; I can burn him if we go deep.”

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