NFL 2010: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

2009 was most certainly the "Year of the Quarterback."

Net passing yards were the highest they have ever been (111,853) league-wide. Games averaged 436.9 passing yards, the second-most in NFL history (441.6 in 1995). And for just the third time in NFL history, more than 700 touchdown passes were thrown (710; 732 in 2004, 720 in 2007).

As professional football has evolved, the sophistication and importance of the passing game has risen.

Defenders have grown stronger and faster while defensive coordinators have gotten more creative. Moving the ball downfield three yards at a time via the run has become increasingly difficult.

"To score points consistently, you have to find a way to create big plays," says San Diego Chargers head coach NORV TURNER. "When you really break it down, with all the things defenses do now like zone blitzes, multiple looks, multiple personnel, it's harder to put together those 10, 12, 14-play drives."

This trend has helped allow the growing number of star NFL quarterbacks --- ranging from established veterans like PEYTON MANNING and TOM BRADY to rising stars like AARON RODGERS and PHILIP RIVERS --- to fully showcase their passing talents.

Ten QBs each passed for at least 4,000 yards in 2009, the most 4,000-yard passers in a single season in NFL history (seven in 2007).

Twelve quarterbacks passed for 25 or more touchdowns last season, the most in a single season in NFL history. The previous record was 10, which also occurred in 2007.

Five quarterbacks finished the year with a passer rating of 100.0 or better, also the most in a season in NFL annals (four in 1998 and 2004).

NFL 2010: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

"It's a quarterback's league now. It's how the game has evolved. You've got coaches willing to throw the ball more than ever, and you've got receivers who are the best athletes on the field. Why wouldn't a coach want to use weapons like that?" -- CBS analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback DAN FOUTS

"There's no question there are more good quarterbacks in the league right now. When there are more elite players at that position, it opens up the offense." -- Chicago Bears offensive coordinator MIKE MARTZ

"Of all the times that I can remember over the last 30 years, this might be the most skilled group of quarterbacks that I've seen at one time. It doesn't all come down to the quarterback, but this is a quarterback-driven league." -- NFL Network analyst MATT MILLEN

"There are a lot of quarterbacks playing at a high level, more than I've seen in a long time." -- Super Bowl winning quarterback JOE THEISMANN

The quarterbacks with 4,000+ passing yards, 25+ passing touchdowns or a 100.0+ passer rating in 2009:

4,000+ PASS YARDS

Player Yards
Source: NFL
Matt Schaub4,770
Peyton Manning4,500
Tony Romo4,483
Aaron Rodgers4,434
Tom Brady4,398
Drew Brees4,388
Ben Roethlisberger4,328
Philip Rivers4,254
Brett Favre4,202
Eli Manning4,021

 

25+ TD PASSES

Player TDs
Source: NFL
Drew Brees34
Peyton Manning33
Brett Favre33
Aaron Rodgers30
Matt Schaub29
Tom Brady28
Philip Rivers28
Jay Cutler27
Eli Manning27
Ben Roethlisberger26
Tony Romo26
Kurt Warner26

 

100.0+ PASSER RATING

Player Rating
Source: NFL
Drew Brees109.6
Brett Favre107.2
Philip Rivers104.4
Aaron Rodgers103.2
Ben Roethlisberger100.5

 

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NFL 2010 Football: Quarterback Success - Year of the Quarterback