More Backup QBs as starters trend?

[TwistedHusky]

It might be illusion. But it certainly seems that more starting QBs are going down than normal.

While players getting bigger/faster could contribute to this - if you watch the games you notice a tendency of QBs not to be scared to get hit. That combined with their mobility, means they not only aren't protecting themselves but getting hit at odd angles.


Go back and watch Marino or Montana. Marino especially, rarely got sacked because the ball was gone.
OCs are probably contributing to this trend because they are calling pass plays that take longer, often in an attempt to get an illegal contact or PI call. Instead of getting rid of the ball quickly, it makes more sense to draw out the play so you can extract a penalty or get a guy open. But that means more pass rushers are going to come in contact with the QB, penalty or no.

I wonder if all the rules to protect the QB might be doing the opposite because the QBs are putting themselves in harm's way more and not focusing on getting the ball out quickly to evade the rush.

 

[flv2]

It's not so much rules to protect the QB as rules to promote passing. The NFL is moving towards QBs that are smaller, more dynamic and explosive, but also more fragile. Durability was a more important trait in the 70's and 80's. Not saying either game was better or worse, only that the game has changed.

 

[renofox]

It might be illusion. But it certainly seems that more starting QBs are going down than normal.

While players getting bigger/faster could contribute to this - if you watch the games you notice a tendency of QBs not to be scared to get hit. That combined with their mobility, means they not only aren't protecting themselves but getting hit at odd angles.


Go back and watch Marino or Montana. Marino especially, rarely got sacked because the ball was gone.
OCs are probably contributing to this trend because they are calling pass plays that take longer, often in an attempt to get an illegal contact or PI call. Instead of getting rid of the ball quickly, it makes more sense to draw out the play so you can extract a penalty or get a guy open. But that means more pass rushers are going to come in contact with the QB, penalty or no.

I wonder if all the rules to protect the QB might be doing the opposite because the QBs are putting themselves in harm's way more and not focusing on getting the ball out quickly to evade the rush.

I've noticed this across the board.

Players don't seem to protect themselves much at all anymore. Instead they go at the play 110% without thought of injury or self protection. There are the "business decision" exceptions but that is far from the norm.

Coaching?

Or is it more like with Lockett who was ripped by some here for not fighting for every last inch? He's the perfect example of a player who successfully balances performance with injury risk, making the right call 95%+ of the time.

Before that we had Shaun Alexander, who took a lot of crap for his decisions but ended up cutting his career short because he and Holmgren decided playing multiple games on a broken foot was a good idea.

 

[Palmegranite]

It's not so much rules to protect the QB as rules to promote passing. The NFL is moving towards QBs that are smaller, more dynamic and explosive, but also more fragile. Durability was a more important trait in the 70's and 80's. Not saying either game was better or worse, only that the game has changed.

What? I cannot agree with this at all.

 

[Torc]

I've heard players point at the practice rules that have been established. There is a LOT less hitting and contact during training camp and other practices, and practices are shorter as well.

 

[Cyrus12]

Itll be flag at some point. 2028 Olympics is the trial run.