How relevant/predictive is the # of INTs a QB throws in training camp?

[eball]

I’ve been perusing various articles as TC has gotten started, and one of the things that sticks out is media coverage of how many picks a QB has thrown in practice.  I remember Mahomes’ first “real” season as the starter when it was reported that he threw 5 picks in one practice (or something like that), and we all know what happened next.

 

Well, I just read that Drake Maye hasn’t thrown a pick in 7 practices.  Saw the same for some other QB (might have been Mahomes -- edit: it was Tua).  How much stock do you put into that?  My feeling has always been that practice is the time to try everything and force throws you wouldn’t necessarily make during the season.  Josh has thrown a number of picks this camp, but it doesn’t worry me at all.

 

It strikes me as being similar to the way media reports completion percentages in camp…i.e., not worth much of anything.

 

Agree?  Disagree?

 

Edited 13 hours ago by eball

[transient]

20 minutes ago, eball said:

I’ve been perusing various articles as TC has gotten started, and one of the things that sticks out is media coverage of how many picks a QB has thrown in practice.  I remember Mahomes’ first “real” season as the starter when it was reported that he threw 5 picks in one practice (or something like that), and we all know what happened next.

 

Well, I just read that Drake Maye hasn’t thrown a pick in 7 practices.  Saw the same for some other QB (might have been Mahomes).  How much stock do you put into that?  My feeling has always been that practice is the time to try everything and force throws you wouldn’t necessarily make during the season.  Josh has thrown a number of picks this camp, but it doesn’t worry me at all.

 

It strikes me as being similar to the way media reports completion percentages in camp…i.e., not worth much of anything.

 

Agree?  Disagree?

 

A young player not throwing picks in camp makes me think they're tentative... Tyrod didn't throw picks either. 😬

[MJS]

I think it could mean something depending on the situation, but you have to see the context, not just in INT numbers. If the QB is just a hot mess and air mailing passes, not understanding the concepts, not dealing well with the speed of the game, etc. That's going to lead to practice interceptions. If they are timid and unwilling to make throws (like Tyrod Taylor), that might lead to no interceptions, but also doesn't reflect well. You have to consider everything together, not just one or two data points.

[947]

A lot of QBs are working on specific things in camp. They may take chances to see what they can get away with, knowing that it doesn't really count. I suspect Josh is in this camp.

 

My son is a HS QB & he does this in certain practices. He says sometimes he doesn't even mind if I he threw a pick, because he was just trying to squeeze one into a tight window to see what'd happen, when in a real game he'd have just scrambled.

[machine gun kelly]

E-Man, it’s meaningless to me.  To me, they call it practice for a reason.  They are trying new strategies and techniques and seeing what they can add. To their game.

[Herc11]

I think it's as dumb as reporting how many TDs they've thrown in camp too. Camp stats are beyond dumb.

[frostbitmic]

In camp they aren't always playing with the players they'll be playing with in the regular season nor are they running the plays they'll be running in the regular season. Camp is for getting in game shape, building chemistry with those around you and figuring out who is making the roster and their roles.

 

If you're going to make bad plays, INT's, Fumbles, being in the wrong place etc...now is the time to do it so you can work on correcting it.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Peterman was a training camp star, wasn't he?  He might continue to find roster spots, but few teams are kicking down his door to recruit his services.

[BruceVilanch]

I only get worried when they hit the hospitality tent 

[Doc Brown]

59 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

Peterman was a training camp star, wasn't he?  He might continue to find roster spots, but few teams are kicking down his door to recruit his services.

Nobody ever looked at Peterman and thought star.  However, them promoting him to starter based on preseason play should tell you everything you need to know about how deceiving preseason games can be.

[GoBills808]

just guessing but not very meaningful

[WotAGuy]

I wonder how many picks Kyle Allen threw in camp, because he was in mid-season form last night. 

[CA OC Bills Fan]

3 hours ago, MJS said:

I think it could mean something depending on the situation, but you have to see the context, not just in INT numbers. If the QB is just a hot mess and air mailing passes, not understanding the concepts, not dealing well with the speed of the game, etc. That's going to lead to practice interceptions. If they are timid and unwilling to make throws (like Tyrod Taylor), that might lead to no interceptions, but also doesn't reflect well. You have to consider everything together, not just one or two data points.

Completely agree with MJS. Number of Ints is meaningless. Each specific pick could or could not mean something. If it was a "regular" play that the team runs, minimal pressure, receiver is open, and the QB had a horrible off target throw, that may mean something. A QB trying something they wouldn't normally try in a game, who cares. 

[djp14150]

3 hours ago, 947 said:

A lot of QBs are working on specific things in camp. They may take chances to see what they can get away with, knowing that it doesn't really count. I suspect Josh is in this camp.

 

My son is a HS QB & he does this in certain practices. He says sometimes he doesn't even mind if I he threw a pick, because he was just trying to squeeze one into a tight window to see what'd happen, when in a real game he'd have just scrambled.

They also might want to test a DB defense by throwing balls in close areas looking at how they can be involved in pass D 

[BananaB]

People practice differently, some push their limits and others just don’t want to make a mistake. 

[Royale with Cheese]

3 hours ago, Herc11 said:

I think it's as dumb as reporting how many TDs they've thrown in camp too. Camp stats are beyond dumb.

 

The Miami Sentinel wrote an entire article with Tua not throwing an INT in camp lol

It's a pay site and I'm not a part of it but I guarantee they are hyping him throwing TD's too.

 

Gotta spin it!

 

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/07/30/dolphins-tua-hasnt-thrown-an-int-in-camp-but-he-judges-practice-off-o

[bigduke6]

honestly dont think training camp picks mean much.  i watch The OLine Committee | NFL Offensive Line Podcast on Youtube and they pretty much spell out that the fans and media have no idea whether the QB is being told to force throws so the coaches can see certain things or work certain plays/players.  the guys are a fun watch and they talked about this in one of their most recent vids.  

[gobills404]

 

[BigAl2526]

5 hours ago, MJS said:

I think it could mean something depending on the situation, but you have to see the context, not just in INT numbers. If the QB is just a hot mess and air mailing passes, not understanding the concepts, not dealing well with the speed of the game, etc. That's going to lead to practice interceptions. If they are timid and unwilling to make throws (like Tyrod Taylor), that might lead to no interceptions, but also doesn't reflect well. You have to consider everything together, not just one or two data points.

Agreed.  Interceptions can come from the QB trying things at the direction of his coaches that may not be used in the regular season, young receivers making errors on their routes, deliberate contested ball situations where a receiver was beaten by a better DB and perhaps a number of other situations that are not the fault of the QB.  And then it can be the fault of the QB.

[RobbRiddick]

Peterman looked great in camp (and preseason), even Losman had rave reviews in camp one year. Tua always looks great in camp and has his WRs comparing him to the best in the league. As soon as the bullets start flying you see their true colors 

3 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

Nobody ever looked at Peterman and thought star.  However, them promoting him to starter based on preseason play should tell you everything you need to know about how deceiving preseason games can be.

It happens every year and I love it. Remember Spurrier's Redskins beating up on everyone in preseason and then being terrible when the real games started? Or the Lions going 4-0 in preseason and 0-16 in the regular season? Or a couple of years ago when Pickett looked incredible for the Steelers? I wonder who will be the superstar of preseason this year. my money is on Fields, with Jets fans like Greenberg predicting a sure fire playoff spot