While NFL defenses and fans across the country complain the league is penalizing seemingly any contact with the quarterback, the Eagles experienced a far different problem last week. They could barely lay a finger on Andrew Luck.
This isn't a criticism of the Eagles' defense as much as an observation about Luck, who was getting the ball out quickly to counteract the pass rush. As a result, the Colts' quarterback was sacked just twice and hit four times total in 42 total dropbacks.
Roughing the passer was never a thought.
Luck's performance overall was not ideal, as he averaged a meager 4.1 yards per pass. All those quick throws – 40 attempts altogether – resulted in only two completions over 20 yards, and five of 10 or more. The Colts' longest play through the air was a 33-yard pass interference penalty.
But Luck's calculated effort to avoid getting hit got me thinking because, evidently, it's possible to play quarterback without repeatedly being smashed into the turf.
How much of the onus is on the quarterback to protect himself?
Part of the problem is quarterbacks don't sound worried about their own safety. After Dolphins defensive end William Hayes tore his ACL trying to avoid a flag, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr wished his opponent would've landed on him. Texans signal caller Deshaun Watson noted player safety should goes both ways, meaning for defensive players, too.
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Some of these guys like getting hit, or at least aren't thinking about it when they're on the field.
"Never," said Eagles third-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld. "Never during the game. Honestly, the hits kind of feel good, especially early on, you want to kind of settle into the game.
"You're thinking about the task, your job – correctly adjusting the protection, getting into the right play, doing your footwork right, being on time with the ball. The last thing you're thinking about is actually making the throw and taking hits."
Seeing as an injury to a quarterback can end a team's season, though, maybe the thought should cross their minds. Maybe the league, rather than penalize a sound defensive play that ends with the quarterback on his back, should emphasize the importance of getting rid of the football before a collision takes place.
"They're taught to get the ball out fast," said Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham. "Sometimes they don't, and sometimes they can get away with it because they might get a foul. Now, I get 15 yards. It's tough."
Yet, defenders also understand playing quarterback is a hard job, and a solution isn't necessarily that simple.
"I don't think (the NFL) would ever blame the quarterback," said Graham. "If something isn't open, get rid of it by throwing it away, but that would be intentional grounding sometimes, so they have a lot on their plate, too."
The league made adjustments to its rules on roughing the passer this week, which should result in fewer penalties for seemingly clean hits. Maybe that quiets the controversy for now.
No matter what the rules, though, quarterbacks are going to get hit and they're going to get hurt if they don't protect themselves.
