NFL Quarterbacks

[roadwarrior]

This topic was brought up in the NASCAR thread, so rather than

going "off topic" there, this thread was started. The issue here

is "Protecting The Quarterback". The comment implied that the NFL

rules regarding contact with the quarterback is detrimental to the

enjoyment of the game. My opinion is quite different:

There are 32 teams in the NFL. I would argue that there are no more

than 5 or 6 decent quarterbacks, but for simplicity let's round them up

to 10. If that's the case, 22 teams have a problem and several of the

"10" may not be back next year.

How important is the quarterback? I would say 25% of the game,

but on several teams, more than 50%. Losing a quarterback, or

not really having one to begin with, puts most teams out of contention.

The only franchises I ever remember reaching the Super Bowl without

a quarterback were Washington when they beat the Broncos and Chicago

a couple of years ago.

Everything that can be done to protect the quarterbacks benefits the

league, the teams and the fans. The NFL has the best business model

in all of sports. Recognizing the importance of rare talent at the

quarterback position is of paramount importance.

8-)

[rondef]

The Ravens won a superbowl with Trent Dilfer as a QB and he had his worst season ever that year. The Raven's defense won the games during the season as well as the Superbowl.

The quarterbacks should only have their lower legs and knees protected, low intentional hits to wipe out a career of a quarterback is unacceptable.  Anything else is fair game in my opinion.

[BrianinMD]

I understand why they are attempting to protect them, however it has gone a little far in some areas. Roughing the passer penalties when a defender raises his hand to block a pass only to brush the side of the QB's helmet for example. One defender got a penalty for roughing when he did not more then land on the QB, the ref said the penalty was for using all of his weight....

[daviscw]

I don't like the idea of protecting anyone. That's what a lot of people watch the game for. But, if you are going to protect, it's really lame to just protect the QB. I would bet money lineman suffer more injuries than a QB. If you are going to compare importance in the game, the QB relies on lineman. Lineman don't necessarily rely on a QB.

So, like I said, I don't like the whole protection thing. If you end up protecting everybody the most important aspect of football is lost, just like the idea of "racing" in NASCAR.

[Matt Fly]

Agree with RW all the way.     A dynasty or contender year after year is held together by stable QB play.

Gotta protect the product, and a good product means having good QB play.

There are too many angles that make it appear as it was illegal hit.   Fans just don't want to see game ending drives aided by bogus calls in favor of the QB.    

Don't see why there isn't a Umpire in a booth to over call that penalty with the same views we see in that short amount of time to see it was bad call, a Ump in the booth could have buzzed the on field ref to pick up the flag.    

     

[SuskyDude]

Very good points. However it is going a little to far. You can't expect a 250-300 pound lineman to stop mid-air and change direction. But that what the refs seem to expect now, and it''s made for some TERRIBLE calls.

Furthermore, I am one of those folks who doesn't believe that the entire game rests on the quaterback. I mean if that where the case, and there really is only 5 or 6 "decent" QBs in the league, as you put it, how is anyone winning games? There is alot to be said about the offensive line and recievers, but it rarely gets mentioned. QBs will get all the credit, or blame, despite the fact that there is 10 other guys on the field. If ANYONE of them doesn't do their job, the play is dead in the water.

Finally....only 5 or 6 "decent QBs" in the league?   Its the pros, they're all good. It's just some are VERY good, and others are on VERY good teams! The ones that "suck" would tool anyone of us in a pickup game.

Oh, 1990 Giants. Superbowl Champs. Simms broke his foot at the end of the reg. season, 2nd string Hostetler took them all the way.

In the end I feel a little extra protection for the QB is a good thing, but when  the NFL is the NFFL (National Flag Football League) in twenty years, don't say we didn't warn you! ;D

[Tin]

Forget the quarterbacks, the NFL needs to take care of all its players not just QB's and specifically shots to the head. Forget the knee injuries, injuries like concussions and head trauma are causing serious issues for players later on in life.

[Bass Dude]

It's not the idea of protecting the quarterbacks thats the issue, it's the enforcement.  The officials call everything, but that doesn't mean that's what the rules are.  Each official interprets the rules and enforces them by that interpretation.  I don't mind the penalties as much as the fact they get fined for it.  Leave it on the field unless it's a flagrant shot to the head or late hit, etc.

Don't forget they have rules to protect linemen too.  They eliminated cut-blocks years ago because linemen kept going down.  

[fivesixone]

The only thing wrong with the way it is right now is that they call very, very weak penalties. Just BARELY touching the QB is considered roughing. I understand that there's probably not a really good way to let the ref's interpret it themselves, but something needs to be done about it.

These guys are in the NFL. They should be able to take a couple hits.

[Bassaholic84]

I believe the top 3 positions that can dictate a football game is the QB, DE and 2nd string QB.  The DE job is to pressure the QB and that is their worst nightmare a pass rush.  I am a Ravens fan and hell we have never had a great QB.

You see this year we now have a decent one and we go to the AFC championship.  That is the only thing that changed for us from last year and we were 5-11 last year.  Your QB touches the ball every offensive play.  He is the leader of the offense.  If a QB goes down and the backup isnt any good it is devastating to a team.  

Like Davis said, Football is definetly a team sport.  A QB needs Lineman and if they dont block he cant do what he needs to do.  The whole team relies on the QB.  It is the most important single player on any team in the NFL.

[CFFF 1.5]

The QB's in this leage that are great because they are on a great team. For example Matt Cassell. Matt Cassell hadn't started a game since high school, but in 16 games this season led his team to an 11-5 record, which should have made the playoffs but didn't oh well. Now you can take Matt Cassell and place him on a bad team and guess what he is going to be bad. A good quarterback can be very bad on a bad team and very good on a good team. But the great quarterbacks will be good no matter what team they are on. There are maybe 2 or 3 in the league right now that are great quarterbacks. Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady?

I also agree that the quarterback is too protected. I think they should be protected from helmet to helmet shots and lower body lunge tackles, but sometimes they go to far. Why not just put them in a red jersey and let them be 2 hand touch. and also they shouldn't be able to slide. Once they are past the line of scrimmage they should be fair game, after that point they should be considered a running back.

[Daniel A.]

Forget the quarterbacks, the NFL needs to take care of all its players not just QB's and specifically shots to the head. Forget the knee injuries, injuries like concussions and head trauma are causing serious issues for players later on in life.

x2 - All players are of equal importance. I'm not suggesting football be "civil", but I think each player should be protected equally.

[Tin]

Forget the quarterbacks, the NFL needs to take care of all its players not just QB's and specifically shots to the head. Forget the knee injuries, injuries like concussions and head trauma are causing serious issues for players later on in life.

x2 - All players are of equal importance. I'm not suggesting football be "civil", but I think each player should be protected equally.

There was just a thing on ESPN about Roethlisberger playing with a concussion and how recently the brains of 6 NFL players who suffered concussions while playing had never really healed and suffered permanent damage.

[daviscw]

Forget the quarterbacks, the NFL needs to take care of all its players not just QB's and specifically shots to the head. Forget the knee injuries, injuries like concussions and head trauma are causing serious issues for players later on in life.

x2 - All players are of equal importance. I'm not suggesting football be "civil", but I think each player should be protected equally.

There was just a thing on ESPN about Roethlisberger playing with a concussion and how recently the brains of 6 NFL players who suffered concussions while playing had never really healed and suffered permanent damage.

How do you propose we protect boxers? Why sign up for something knowing you'll get hit?

[Tin]

Forget the quarterbacks, the NFL needs to take care of all its players not just QB's and specifically shots to the head. Forget the knee injuries, injuries like concussions and head trauma are causing serious issues for players later on in life.

x2 - All players are of equal importance. I'm not suggesting football be "civil", but I think each player should be protected equally.

There was just a thing on ESPN about Roethlisberger playing with a concussion and how recently the brains of 6 NFL players who suffered concussions while playing had never really healed and suffered permanent damage.

How do you propose we protect boxers? Why sign up for something knowing you'll get hit?

Apples and oranges dude....

You want to box (I would love to if I didn't already have too many concussions lol), thats your move, you know what you are getting into. If you don't know what can happen to you just look at Muhammad Ali. And you will be seeing more boxers in the future suffering from Parkinsons. The helmet to helmet stuff and the way your head hits the ground is what you don't sign up for but happens.

[daviscw]

Forget the quarterbacks, the NFL needs to take care of all its players not just QB's and specifically shots to the head. Forget the knee injuries, injuries like concussions and head trauma are causing serious issues for players later on in life.

x2 - All players are of equal importance. I'm not suggesting football be "civil", but I think each player should be protected equally.

There was just a thing on ESPN about Roethlisberger playing with a concussion and how recently the brains of 6 NFL players who suffered concussions while playing had never really healed and suffered permanent damage.

How do you propose we protect boxers? Why sign up for something knowing you'll get hit?

Apples and oranges dude....

You want to box (I would love to if I didn't already have too many concussions lol), thats your move, you know what you are getting into. The helmet to helmet stuff and the way your head hits the ground is what you don't sign up for but happens.

That's because its football! That's supposed to happen! You are supposed to hit people! That is the whole point of football, to knock people to the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tin]

I know!!!!! lol

I'm saying it's the helmet to helmet hits and the hits when you can't protect yourself and have your back turned that are dangerous.

And the NFL should work on the helmet designs like the NHL did. Something for protection. Thats my main point.

[roadwarrior]

Nope...

This thread is about quarterbacks. Protect them or it's  GAME OVER.

All positions are important, no doubt, but this is #1.

8-)

[daviscw]

Nope...

This thread is about quarterbacks. Protect them or it's GAME OVER.

All positions are important, no doubt, but this is #1.

8-)

That's lame. If you don't want to get hit, don't play. Nobody made them sign the contract. They know exactly what they are getting into. Most of these guys have already played 20+ years of football. They sacrifice their bodies to make millions of dollars. Football without hits on a quarterback is not football.

I can't believe you would actually support rules that would ruin your favorite sport after seeing what it did to NASCAR.

[daviscw]

Whatever

Threads can go just about anywhere and and it's only a "family site" on certain days or depending on certain peoples moods. Keep up the good work RW

Woah dude! No hard feelings from me, I just like to argue! I don't feel like I've done anything unfamily-like. Get on Facebook and we'll talk. No disrespect intended towards you either RW. Sorry if I came across harsh. I appreciate all you do.

[Tin]

O come on Cody, you havent figured this place out by now. ;D :

[roadwarrior]

It's simple...Quartebacks are special, that's all.

[Catt]

The good offense starts with the offensive line, you can win with a mediocre QB but you can't win with a mediocre offensive line.

No offensive lineno one to protect the QB, no one to open holes for the RB, no one to give the WR time to get open.

[SuskyDude]

The good offense starts with the offensive line, you can win with a mediocre QB but you can't win with a mediocre offensive line.

No offensive lineno one to protect the QB, no one to open holes for the RB, no one to give the WR time to get open.

YES! Someone gets it. Quarterbacks should already have all the "protection" they need without the addition of more rules (like the NFL needs more!) or hair-trigger flag throwing.

Protect your QB, and he doesn't get hit. Thats the game of football.

This QB worship makes me laugh.  :

I will give you that they are the most important Off. player, but not by as much as some of you think. Some of you act as if Tom Brady or the like could take the field by himself and win.  

I'm all for saftey. I'm all for no intentional helmet to helmet contact.

Hell, leading with your head to tackle is bad technique anyway. The roughing the passer rule is needed, but the calls the refs are making nowadays are detriemental to the game. Let'em play.

[fivesixone]

The good offense starts with the offensive line, you can win with a mediocre QB but you can't win with a mediocre offensive line.

No offensive lineno one to protect the QB, no one to open holes for the RB, no one to give the WR time to get open.

YES! Someone gets it. Quarterbacks should already have all the "protection" they need without the addition of more rules (like the NFL needs more!) or hair-trigger flag throwing.

Protect your QB, and he doesn't get hit. Thats the game of football.

This QB worship makes me laugh. :

I will give you that they are the most important Off. player, but not by as much as some of you think. Some of you act as if Tom Brady or the like could take the field by himself and win.

I'm all for saftey. I'm all for no intentional helmet to helmet contact.

Hell, leading with your head to tackle is bad technique anyway. The roughing the passer rule is needed, but the calls the refs are making nowadays are detriemental to the game. Let'em play.

Preach on brothas!