NFC North Quarterback Ratings 2011

[Joemailman]

That is not the case, a defender can make contact with the receiver within 5 yards and its been that way since 1978 and the Blount rule.

The most recent alteration was a re-emphasis after the Patriots-Colts game about illegal contact (before the throw, after 5 yards).

Nutz and a few others seem to remember a change or emphasis in the early 90s that I do not recall.

There was a change in 1994 which had some contradictory language which was then fixed in 2004.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/column...ohn&id=1840261

What was determined was the illegal contact rule was poorly worded. In 1994, the Competition Committee grew tired of cornerbacks mugging receivers and put in new wording to open up the receiver's ability to get away from physical cornerbacks. But the problem was that some of the language that was inserted was contradictory.

In one part you had the new language reading: "If the receiver attempts to evade the defender, the defender cannot chuck him or extend an arm(s) to cut off or hook him, causing contact that impedes and restricts the receiver as the play develops."

But there was also a passage that was inserted for fairness to the cornerback or safety in coverage who banged into a receiver and it read: "Beyond the five-yard zone, if the player who receives the snap remains in the pocket with the ball, a defender may use his hands or arms only to defend or protect himself against the impending contact caused by a receiver."

The first passage above is saying that defenders cannot impede a receiver after five yards if the receiver is trying to evade them, however, the second passage actually gives defenders some leeway to impede receivers.

The idea of the rule was to allow unimpeded running by a receiver after five yards. In sentence No. 1, the defender can use his hands or arms "only" to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver. The second sentence gives the defender a license to use contact.

The extra contact has had a significant impact on passing offenses. Last season was the worst passing numbers in 11 years. The average team passed for 200.45 yards per game, lowest since 1992. The average completion dropped to 11.3, down from 12.1 in 1998.

The intent of the 1994 "chuck" revision was violated. Out goes the word only and into the rule book goes language that tells defenders not to restrict or impede a receiver "in any way." Defenders can get away with incidental contact but not get away with any intentional contact.

[pbmax]

Nice call by Nutz. I didn't remember that change at all.

[Guiness]

There was a change in 1994 which had some contradictory language which was then fixed in 2004.

In one part you had the new language reading: "If the receiver attempts to evade the defender, the defender cannot chuck him or extend an arm(s) to cut off or hook him, causing contact that impedes and restricts the receiver as the play develops."

Maybe this is the line I'm thinking of? It doesn't say anything about 5 yards in there. It says he can't. Is the 5 yards stated somewhere else?

[smuggler]

What was the rule on the field during the @Det game last year where when Rodgers stepped out of the pocket right before he threw, it automatically declined the illegal contact penalty from earlier in the play on Amari Speivey (covering Jennings)? I had never heard that before. Any insights?

[channtheman]

What was the rule on the field during the @Det game last year where when Rodgers stepped out of the pocket right before he threw, it automatically declined the illegal contact penalty from earlier in the play on Amari Speivey (covering Jennings)? I had never heard that before. Any insights?

I don't know the exact wording, but the gist of it is that once the QB is out of the pocket, it is impossible to have an illegal contact penalty occur. I've always assumed it was because once the QB is outside the pocket, you don't know if he is going to run or throw. However, if the QB does throw, you can still be called for defensive pass interference.

[smuggler]

The illegal contact occured before the scramble and the official just said that the penalty was declined and that the interception stood. =(

[Upnorth]

So another dissapointing day for arod, only 116.6, sigh.

[Joemailman]

Week 12

Aaron Rodgers 127.7 1st overall Last week 128.8 1st overall
Matt Stafford 90.7 9th overall Last week 93.4 8th overall
Jay Cutler DNP 85.7 12th overall
Christian Ponder 72.6 29th overall Last week 67.3 32nd overall

Caleb Hanie Does Not Qualify 56.9

The only suspense left is whether Rodgers can hold onto his lead for the highest passer rating ever. His current rating beats out Peyton Manning's 121.1 from 2004.

Week 13

Aaron Rodgers at New York Giants
Matt Stafford at New Orleans
Christian Ponder vs. Denver
Caleb Hanie vs. Kansas City

[Joemailman]

Week 13

Aaron Rodgers 125.3 1st overall Last week 127.7 1st overall
Matt Stafford 91.3 9th overall Last week 90.7 9th overall
Jay Cutler DNP 85.7 12th overall
Christian Ponder 76.6 24th overall Last week 72.6 29th overall

Caleb Hanie DNQ 40.8 Last week 56.9

Arod has to have a passer rating of about 109 the rest of the way to break Mannings record of 121.1.

[Guiness]

106.2 against the Giants. I think that's his lowest of the season? Incredible

[channtheman]

106.2 against the Giants. I think that's his lowest of the season? Incredible

Too many drops the past 3 weeks have brought Rodgers down. Let's hope his receivers can find their stride and start catching the easy ones.

[Upnorth]

They catch 2 of the drops and I bet Arod goes over 110 again.

[sharpe1027]

Maybe this is the line I'm thinking of? It doesn't say anything about 5 yards in there. It says he can't. Is the 5 yards stated somewhere else?

Yeah, there is an exception portion that says the rule does not apply until 5 yards.

Exception: An eligible receiver is considered to be an obstructing opponent ONLY to a point five yards beyond the line of scrimmage unless the player who receives the snap clearly demonstrates no further intention to pass the ball. Within this five-yard zone, a defensive player may chuck an eligible player in front of him. A defensive player is allowed to maintain continuous and unbroken contact within the five-yard zone until a point when the receiver is even with the defender. The defensive player cannot use his hands or arms to push from behind, hang onto, or encircle an eligible receiver in a manner that restricts movement as the play develops. Beyond this five-yard limitation, a defender may use his hands or arms ONLY to defend or protect himself against impending contact caused by a receiver. In such reaction, the defender may not contact a receiver who attempts to take a path to evade him.

[Guiness]

Tebow had a 149.3 rating last week-end.

Cool. He should roll the Bears!

[Joemailman]

Week 14

Aaron Rodgers 123.3 1st overall Last week 125.3 1st overall
Matt Stafford 92.6 8th overall Last week 91.3. 9th overall
Jay Cutler DNP 85.7 13th overall
Christian Ponder 73.4 26th overall Last week 76.6 24th overall

Caleb Hanie DNQ 48.6 Last week 40.8

Arod has to have a passer rating of about 112 the rest of the way to break Mannings record of 121.1.

Week 15:

Aaron Rodgers at Kansas City
Matt Stafford at Oakland
Christian Ponder vs. New Orleans
Caleb Hanie vs. Seattle