NFL drops 3rd qb rule

[jarhead]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/22/nfl-drops-third-quarterback-rule-46-active-players-on-game-day/

NFL drops third quarterback rule, 46 active players on game day

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 22, 2011, 12:53 PM EDT

With everyone focusing on how the league’s finances will change for the 2011 season and beyond, little attention has been paid to the rules changes that will affect the teams on game days. But one change that the owners and players to agree to will come into play on Sunday afternoons.

The owners and players have agreed to expand game day rosters from 45 to 46 active players. The No. 3 quarterback will no longer be an “emergency” inactive player.

In other words, a team can insert its third-string quarterback for a short period at any point in the game, then take him out and put the starter back in. Previously, the first and second quarterbacks couldn’t re-enter the game if the No. 3 quarterback played before the fourth quarter.

That rule came up most prominently last season when the Bears bungled the backup quarterback situation in the NFC Championship Game. After starter Jay Cutler went down and backup Todd Collins struggled, Bears coach Lovie Smith inserted No. 3 quarterback Caleb Hanie into the game just in time for him to hand off twice in the third quarter. Smith’s decision to put Hanie in the game in the third quarter instead of waiting for the fourth meant that if Hanie had suffered an injury, the Bears would have been without a quarterback for the rest of the game.

In 2011, the lack of a third-quarterback designation could be helpful for teams with third-string quarterbacks who are running threats: Now the third-stringer could be inserted as a wildcat quarterback for a play or two and then be replaced by the starter. That could be worth considering for whatever team selects Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft.

But the most likely result of the change to 46 active players on Sundays may just be that teams will add another active player at another position and keep two quarterbacks active on Sundays. For most teams, having extra depth at another position will be more useful than the ability to insert the third quarterback into the game whenever they please.

[TruCatzFan]

Seems to me that the last paragraph is false... If it's a rule specifically for a 3rd QB, then you would only be allowed to activate that 46th roster spot for a QB...

Can't see this rule being a loophole to activate another position... Otherwise they would have stated that the game day rosters now has 46 players...

That's just me though

[jasonluckydog]

Interesting.

[SorthNarolina]

mountaineer package

[Proudiddy]

Armanti anyone?

[d-run]

Seems to me that the last paragraph is false... If it's a rule specifically for a 3rd QB, then you would only be allowed to activate that 46th roster spot for a QB...

Can't see this rule being a loophole to activate another position... Otherwise they would have stated that the game day rosters now has 46 players...

That's just me though

That's exactly what it is saying

The owners and players have agreed to expand game day rosters from 45 to 46 active players.

[SOJA]

Start the armantii frenzy again

[panthers55]

What this allows us,. is the opportunity to get a veteran Qb and have 3 QBs on the active roster. 3 guys who can all play whenever we want. I doubt Edwards gets designated as the third down Qb or anything but a receiver. It will be Newton, Clausen, and a vet all on the active roster. We will need as many healthy bodies as we can based on the past few years. Maybe the Rivera era will be luckier than Fox's reign as far as critical injuries are concerned.

[MHS831]

mountaineer package

This sure does suggest that Armanti just became more valuable.

[MHS831]

What is allows us is the opportunity to get a veteran Qb and have 3 QBs on the active roster and 3 guys who can all play whenever we want instead of in years past. I doubt Edwards gets designated as the third down Qb or anything but a receiver. It will be Newton, Clausen, and a vet all on the active roster. We will need as many healthy bodies as we can based on the past few years. Maybe the Rivera era will be luckier than Fox's reign as far as critical injuries are concerned.

Correct me if I am wrong because I am not sure how this will be interpreted by individual teams, but this is only one way of approaching this rule. It seems to me that we are basically losing a roster spot, so we are more inclined to keep 2 QBs. Should they become injured, then going to the Mountaineer would be better than putting in another position player. In other words, the liklihood of losing 2 QBs during the course of a game are remote, but if we do, Mountaineer is the fallback plan.

You are right and that is exactly what it could mean--not disputing that. However, If we have 46 roster spots, I am not sure 3 QBs would be active. Unless they plan on giving Cam spot duty for a while. Am I missing a key point?

[MHS831]

Start the armantii frenzy again

To me, it does not mean much, but a simple Mountaineer package that utilizes his talent (but keeps him at WR) is not a bad plan as the 3rd QB. Edwards would likely never see the field. Mountaineer would be used only in emergencies. I personally hate the Wildcat/Mountaineer.

I think Edwards had too much thrown at him last year, and they need to be careful not to do the same. This could mean we stick with JC or trade him during the preseason. If we bring in a veteran, keep Pike (or another QB) on the PS, then JC might be dealt sooner than any of us thought.

[Snake]

AE is a QB!!!!!! Start him!!!!!!!

[panthers55]

To me, it does not mean much, but a simple Mountaineer package that utilizes his talent (but keeps him at WR) is not a bad plan as the 3rd QB. Edwards would likely never see the field. Mountaineer would be used only in emergencies. I personally hate the Wildcat/Mountaineer.

I think Edwards had too much thrown at him last year, and they need to be careful not to do the same. This could mean we stick with JC or trade him during the preseason. If we bring in a veteran, keep Pike (or another QB) on the PS, then JC might be dealt sooner than any of us thought.

I don't know why you would use Edwards at all when you have a guy like Newton to run the wildcat package on every down. Plus the added bonus is that Newton can throw the ball and is your everydown guy not a gimmick that everyone has figured out how to defend.

The problem with the Wildcat is that unless you have a guy who is equally dangerous running or throwing, defenses can run blitz and pressure both the run and the passing options. If your quarterback has the ability to run and pass, as well as be elusive, then wildcat suddenly becomes a weapon. You can spread the defense out and overload points along the line to find creases as well as throw over the top if the safeties keep cheating in the box. If your tight ends can catch the ball as well, you have a pretty potent attack.

We will have Clausen, Newton, and a vet. Pike will go into camp but would have to play amazingly to be kept. At this point there is no way we trade Clausen so soon. He is cheap on a rookie contract so we will give Shula time to work his magic and see what happens. As for who will be the vet, we will know in a week or two.

[Porn Shop Clerk]

Can Cam catch? We could pioneer the 2 qb system with Armanti and Cam!

!!!!!

We can call it the double aircat!