speed of hard thrown pass

Question
Hi,

Can you tell me what the spproximate speed range of a hard-thrown pass is?

Thanks.  Bill

Answer
Bill, arm velocity isn't a metric football scouts care about: it isn't an official statistic, it isn't measured at events like the scouting combine, and I thinka lot of that has to do with the variables.  Throwing a fastball from the mound to homeplate is a standard action - a "hard thrown pass" means what?  A hard throwdeep fade?  Quick slant?  Looped up for a screen over blitzers?

That being said, when they have put a radar gun on QBs the range I have heard is around 40-60mph.  QBs like Peyton Manning and Brett Favre have the body and mechanics to toss the ball in the 60mph+ range.  Bear in mind that pass velocity can drop off significantly over the course of the season, and even over a game as a QB gets worn out/tired.