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).
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 Schaub | 4,770 |
Peyton Manning | 4,500 |
Tony Romo | 4,483 |
Aaron Rodgers | 4,434 |
Tom Brady | 4,398 |
Drew Brees | 4,388 |
Ben Roethlisberger | 4,328 |
Philip Rivers | 4,254 |
Brett Favre | 4,202 |
Eli Manning | 4,021 |
25+ TD PASSES
Player | TDs |
---|---|
Source: NFL | |
Drew Brees | 34 |
Peyton Manning | 33 |
Brett Favre | 33 |
Aaron Rodgers | 30 |
Matt Schaub | 29 |
Tom Brady | 28 |
Philip Rivers | 28 |
Jay Cutler | 27 |
Eli Manning | 27 |
Ben Roethlisberger | 26 |
Tony Romo | 26 |
Kurt Warner | 26 |
100.0+ PASSER RATING
Player | Rating |
---|---|
Source: NFL | |
Drew Brees | 109.6 |
Brett Favre | 107.2 |
Philip Rivers | 104.4 |
Aaron Rodgers | 103.2 |
Ben Roethlisberger | 100.5 |
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