the chains move? Is the O on schedule most of the time? Does the unit function well as a team? Are more plays made than missed? Do drives persist? Does the offense more often than not get you in FG range? Generally speaking, does the offense have positive momentum, work together and move forward across a broad range of defenses?
That's really my gauge. Then I look at individual talent.
By doing the above you will look past Jimmy Clausen to take a Tommy Rees. Much the same as you will look past a Wimbush or Kizer to take an Ian Book or Zaire (Zaire became a cancer after breaking ankle and not getting job back. He short circuited himself).
By ignoring the paper and looking at the product you don't get mesmerized by stars and accolades. You strictly go based off of production. In the end, more often than not it works. Rees had many, many more wins and roughly the same stats as Clausen. ND was better for it. I'm not sure what the stats are but Book has been much more productive than Wimbush or Kizer and ND is better than it was with either at the helm. Zaire, maybe that was the one that was wrong. But who knows. He never got a real second shot and when he did get somewhat of a chance he was playing from a point of anger which is never good. And it turned out bad.