Cleveland Browns: How Important Is Hand Size For A Quarterback?

How important is hand size for a quarterback? Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson and VP of football operations Sashi Brown were asked that question on Thursday at the NFL Combine.

The NFL Combine has to be one of the most stressful job interviews on the planet. All 32 NFL teams are lined up trying to get all information they can on the future draftees. A recurring question over the years has been the importance of a quarterback’s hand size.

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The Cleveland Browns in particular faced questions regarding its importance. It’s a common assumption the team will take a quarterback at second overall, but which one is in question. The responses to questions pertaining to hand size by reporters Thursday differed for Brown and Jackson. Jackson emphasized the benefits of a quarterback having large hands.

“It matters because we play in a division where all of a sudden there’s rain, there’s snow and it’s different,” Jackson said. “I think guys that have big hands can grip the ball better in those environmental situations and so we’ll look for a guy that fits what we’re looking for in a quarterback and is hand size important? Yes it is.”

When Brown was asked the question he downplayed its significance. Why is this important? The Cleveland Browns are faced with a decision at two and the quarterbacks in question, Cal’s Jared Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz, have very different hand sizes.

Jared Goff’s hands measured in at 9 inches, while Wentz has 10-inch hands. The general rule of thumb in the league is just over nine inches is acceptable, anything below is considered small. Former Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen made headlines at the Combine when he revealed he’s been having treatment to try to make his hands bigger.

With all they hype surrounding hand size is there any empirical evidence to point towards its benefits? Sports Illustrated’s Andy Staple pointed towards research completed prior to the 2014 Draft by writer Colby Smith that suggests hand size is not key to success in the league for quarterbacks.

"Prior to the 2014 draft, writer Colby Rogers tried to find an empirical answer. Using hand size as measured at the combine and stats such as starts, touchdown passes and interceptions, Rogers found that the best hand size to have is…average. The group with hands between 9.25 and 9.75 inches outperformed the groups on either side of the less than or greater than symbol."

The research and its results should be enough to debunk the notion that hand size is important when selecting a quarterback. Although this has not been the case, as Jackson’s words put on full display. To further drive home its lack of importance, just look at two quarterbacks selected in the 2014 NFL Draft. Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr‘s hands were measured at 9 1/8-inches and Minnesota Vikings’ Teddy Bridgewater‘s came in at 9 1/4. Both have enjoyed considerable success during their first two seasons.

The Cleveland Browns need to be careful they don’t put too much stock into hand size. Jackson and Brown need to realize this is a very minor detail when determining how successful a quarterback will be at the next level.

Next: Room On Browns Roster For Suspended Gordon

What’s in between the ears is what matters, a lesson I hope the Cleveland Browns have learned.

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