Factoid
All of these rules designed to protect quarterbacks seem to be working. You can’t hit them high. You can’t hit them low. You can’t lead with your head. You can’t hit them late.
It’s resulting in fewer quarterbacks getting knocked out of games with injuries.
The chart below shows the number of quarterbacks starting all 16 games (which includes, of course, benchings, but is an indicator of quarterback health). According to these numbers, in the ‘90s we saw 34 percent of teams going with one quarterback for all 16 games. But in the last decade, that number rose to 44 percent.
In a way, these rules have cheapened the game. Too many times ticky-tack calls are affecting outcomes of games (like the Ravens at the Patriots last year). But on the plus side, it’s a lot better watching Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Tom Brady, rather than Curtis Painter, Billy Volek and Brian Hoyer.
16-GAME STARTERS AT QUARTERBACK, 1990-2009
With year, number of teams in the league, number of quarterbacks starting 16 games and percentage.
Year TM QB Pct
1990 28 8 29%
1991 28 9 32%
1992 28 12 43%
1993 28 11 39%
1994 28 8 29%
1995 30 14 47%
1996 30 9 30%
1997 30 12 40%
1998 30 8 27%
1999 31 9 29%
2000 31 13 42%
2001 31 17 55%
2002 32 15 47%
2003 32 13 41%
2004 32 12 38%
2005 32 13 41%
2006 32 16 50%
2007 32 11 34%
2008 32 16 50%
2009 32 13 41%
—Ian Allan
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