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).

Quarterbacks with 3,000+ yards, 25+ touchdowns or a 100.0+ passer rating in 2010:

NFL 2010 Quarterbacks 3,000+ Yards Passing

Player	Yards
Source: NFL
Philip Rivers	4,710
Peyton Manning	4,700
Drew Brees	4,620
Matt Schaub	4,370
Eli Manning	4,002
Carson Palmer	3,970
Aaron Rodgers	3,922
Tom Brady	3,900
Matt Ryan	3,705
Kyle Orton	3,653
Joe Flacco	3,622
Sam Bradford	3,512
Josh Freeman	3,451
Donovan McNabb	3,377
Chad Henne	3,301
Mark Sanchez	3,291
Jay Cutler	3,274
Ben Roethlisberger	3,200
Matt Cassel	3,116
Michael Vick	3,018
Matt Hasselbeck	3,001
Ryan Fitzpatrick	3,000

NFL 2010 Quarterbacks 25+ TD Passes

Player	TD Passes
Source: NFL
Tom Brady	36
Drew Brees	33
Peyton Manning	33
Eli Manning	31
Philip Rivers	30
Aaron Rodgers	28
Matt Ryan	28
Matt Cassel	27
Carson Palmer	26
Joe Flacco	25
Josh Freeman	25

NFL 2010 Quarterbacks 100.0+ PASSER RATING

Player	TD Passes
Source: NFL
Tom Brady	111.0
Philip Rivers	101.8
Aaron Rodgers	101.2
Michael Vick	100.2

Clutch Performers

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.

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."

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

Player	Team	COMP	ATT	PCT	TD	INT	Q4 Rating
Source: NFL
Ben Roethlisberger	Pittsburgh	55	83	66.3	796	7	3	110.3
David Garrard	Jacksonville	52	85	61.2	667	7	1	108.3
Michael Vick	Philadelphia	59	100	59.0	853	6	0	106.8
Tom Brady	New England	63	97	64.9	736	8	2	106.7
Philip Rivers	San Diego	92	145	63.4	1,122	5	2	101.6

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

 

 

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