NFL Football 2011

Josh Freeman
Josh Freeman

2010 was most certainly the "Year of the Quarterback."

Touchdown passes (751) were at an all-time high, and games averaged 443.1 passing yards per game, the most in history (441.6 in 1995). The league-wide passer rating (84.1) and touchdown-interception ratio (1.47:1) were both at historic levels, topping the previous records set in 2008 (83.2 passer rating) and 2004 (1.40:1 TD:INT ratio).

As professional football has evolved, the sophistication and importance of the passing game has increased. Defenders have grown stronger and faster while defensive coordinators have become more creative. Moving the ball downfield three yards at a time via the run has grown 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 PHILIP RIVERS to promising youngsters like SAM BRADFORD and JOSH FREEMAN -- to fully showcase their passing talents.

A record 22 quarterbacks passed for at least 3,000 yards in 2010, surpassing the previous best of 19 in 2001 and 2009. Eleven quarterbacks threw for 25+ passing touchdowns, the secondmost in history (12 in 2009). Four quarterbacks finished the year with a passer rating of 100.0 or better, which is tied for the second-most in history (five in 2009; four in 1998 and 2004).

NFL 2010 Quarterbacks 3,000+ Yards Passing

Player Yards
Source: NFL
Philip Rivers4,710
Peyton Manning4,700
Drew Brees4,620
Matt Schaub4,370
Eli Manning4,002
Carson Palmer3,970
Aaron Rodgers3,922
Tom Brady3,900
Matt Ryan3,705
Kyle Orton3,653
Joe Flacco3,622
Sam Bradford3,512
Josh Freeman3,451
Donovan McNabb3,377
Chad Henne3,301
Mark Sanchez3,291
Jay Cutler3,274
Ben Roethlisberger3,200
Matt Cassel3,116
Michael Vick3,018
Matt Hasselbeck3,001
Ryan Fitzpatrick3,000

 

NFL 2010 Quarterbacks 25+ TD Passes

Player TD Passes
Source: NFL
Tom Brady36
Drew Brees33
Peyton Manning33
Eli Manning31
Philip Rivers30
Aaron Rodgers28
Matt Ryan28
Matt Cassel27
Carson Palmer26
Joe Flacco25
Josh Freeman25

 

NFL 2010 Quarterbacks 100.0+ PASSER RATING

Player TD Passes
Source: NFL
Tom Brady111.0
Philip Rivers101.8
Aaron Rodgers101.2
Michael Vick100.2

 

Clutch Quarterbacks

Many NFL games are decided in the fourth quarter. The difference between a win and a loss can come down to a clutch performer. Some of the most memorable moments in NFL history have taken place with the game on the line.

NFL 2011 - Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback BEN ROETHLISBERGER embraces the opportunity to respond under pressure. Last year, Roethlisberger posted an NFL-best 110.3 passer rating in the fourth quarter.

"I don't know what it is," says Roethlisberger. "I think it's probably the competitiveness, the drive to want to do whatever it takes to win the game that's on the line and the ball is in your hands. You want to make the plays for your team and for your coach and the owner, everybody. I want to have the ball in my hand at the end of the game because I want it to be on my shoulders. I don't do it for the glory, I don't want to be a hero, I just want to win the game."

NFL QBs with the highest fourth-quarter passer rating in 2010 (minimum 80 attempts):

Player Team COMP ATT PCT TD INT Q4 Rating
Source: NFL
Ben RoethlisbergerPittsburgh558366.379673110.3
David GarrardJacksonville528561.266771108.3
Michael VickPhiladelphia5910059.085360106.8
Tom BradyNew England639764.973682106.7
Philip RiversSan Diego9214563.41,12252101.6

 

Quotes from around the league about the growing number of standout NFL quarterbacks:

"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

"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

NFL 2011 - Quarterback Success - Standout NFL Quarterbacks