The History of Rule Changes That Affected Passer Ratings

[Statman]

Before I begin, a story involving Cowboy quarterback Don Meredith:

.....His other constant was physical pain. Meredith tore knee ligaments in an exhibition game in ’64, his fourth season with the Cowboys and the first in which he had the quarterback job pretty much to himself. He played anyway. His diminished mobility plus a line as porous as a loofah resulted in repeated severe whiplash and two official (but God knows how many actual) concussions. One of the wags in the press box invented a new statistic for the Cowboys’ quarterback: yards lost while trying to survive. But No. 17 took the helmet in the ribs and the forearm to the neck, rolled onto his feet as if it didn’t hurt. Tom Landry said that season was the bravest quarterback performance he ever saw.

In a game against the Giants, with Meredith running for his life, the men hired to protect him fluttering about in hopeless disarray, the quarterback looked into the narrowed eyes and flared nostrils of the scariest player in the game, Sam Huff. The bandylegged man in charge of the football raised his arm to throw, exposing his torso to the enraged bull in a bottle-blue helmet. Pow. The linebacker exploded into his target.

“Now you’ve done it, Sam,” groaned Meredith, supine and covered in blood on the Cotton Bowl turf. “You’ve killed me.”

But the scarlet seeping into his white jersey wasn’t blood; the fluid-filled flak jacket protecting Meredith’s sore ribs had burst. While officials’ whistles blew, the quarterback giggled, delighted to have given Huff even a moment’s pause. Apologetic Dallas offensive linemen helped their leader to his feet. Sorry, Don. Tough hit.


The following list is the overall passer rating for the combined passing plays for every quarterback for every team that particular year. The rule changes are imbedded between the years prior and subsequent to the changes.

1970 62.5
1971 59.3
1972 63.5
1973 61.7
1974 61.4
1975 62.8
1976 63.6


Rule changes were adopted to open up the passing game and to cut down on injuries. Defenders were permitted to make contact with eligible receivers only once; the head slap was outlawed; offensive linemen were prohibited from thrusting their hands to an opponent's neck, face, or head; and wide receivers were prohibited from clipping, even in the legal clipping zone.

1977 57.8

The NFL continued a trend toward opening up the game. Rules changes permitted a defender to maintain contact with a receiver within five yards of the line of scrimmage, but restricted contact beyond that point. The pass-blocking rule was interpreted to permit the extending of arms and open hands.

1978 62.1

NFL rules changes emphasized additional player safety. instructed officials to quickly whistle a play dead when a quarterback was clearly in the grasp of a tackler.

1979 67.8 (Roger Staubach retires)

Rules changes placed greater restrictions on contact in the area of the head, neck, and face.
Under the heading of "personal foul," players were prohibited from directly striking, swinging, or clubbing on the head, neck, or face. Starting in 1980, a penalty could be called for such contact whether or not the initial contact was made below the neck area.

1980 71.3
1981 70.5
1982 70.6
1983 73.1
1984 73.2
1985 70.7
1986 71.5
1987 72.6

At the NFL annual meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, a 45-second clock was also approved to replace the 30-second clock. For a normal sequence of plays, the interval between plays was changed to 45 seconds from the time the ball is signaled dead until it is snapped on the succeeding play.


1988 70.6
1989 73.3
1990 75.0
1991 74.2
1992 72.8
1993 74.6
1994 76.7

A receiver knocked out of bounds by a defensive player can now return to the field to make a play.
Quarterbacks may now receive communication from the bench via a small radio transmitter in their helmets. This proposal was originally run on a test basis last year during the pre-season, but was scrapped.

1995 77.5

1996 75.0

The five-yard contact rule will be enforced more stringently.
Hits with the helmet or to the head by the defender will be flagged as personal fouls and subject to fines. This is being done to protect the offense, particularly the quarterback.

1997 75.0
1998 76.2

A defensive player can no longer flinch before the snap to draw movement from an offensive linemen.

1999 75.1
2000 76.2 (Troy Aikman Retires)

Protecting the passer will be emphasized even more.

2001 76.6

it is illegal to hit a quarterback helmet-to-helmet anytime after a change of possession.

2002 78.6
2003 76.6
2004 80.9
2005 78.2
2006 78.5
2007 80.9
2008 81.5
2009 81.2
2010 82.2
2011 82.5
2012 83.8
2013 84.1
2014 87.1

The changes made from 1977 to 1980 resulted in a 10 point positive shift overall in the NFL. Defenders could no longer hold up a quarterback long enough for another defender to get a good shot. They could not use their momentum to slam a quarterback head first into the turf. DB's could not dog a receiver right up until the release of the ball. Defenders could not momentarily stun a blocker with a head slap.

The group of changes made prior to the 2002 season resulted in another radical shift. Moving the overall NFL Passer rating from the mid to high seventies to the low to mid 80's. Quarterbacks were being protected from head to head contact, even during the course of a turnover when the quarterback might be trying to tackle the defender with the ball.

The NFL's passer rating in 1970 increased by 24.6 points by 2014. To keep the quarterbacks on even ground, here are the extra rating points you would add to a quarterback's rating for each year in order to compare it to a QB playing in 2014.

1970 24.6
1971 27.8
1972 23.6
1973 25.4
1974 25.7
1975 24.3
1976 23.5
1977 29.3
1978 25.0
1979 19.3
1980 15.8
1981 16.6
1982 16.5
1983 14.0
1984 13.9
1985 16.4
1986 15.6
1987 14.5
1988 16.5
1989 13.8
1990 12.1
1991 12.9
1992 14.3
1993 12.5
1994 10.4
1995 9.6
1996 12.1
1997 12.1
1998 10.9
1999 12.0
2000 10.9
2001 10.5
2002 8.5
2003 10.5
2004 6.2
2005 8.9
2006 8.6
2007 6.2
2008 5.6
2009 5.9
2010 4.9
2011 4.6
2012 3.3
2013 3.0
2014 0.0

And now here is the "compensated" passer ratings for all Cowboys quarterbacks in seasons from 1970 to 2014 for which they threw a minimum of 150 passes, ranked from best to worst.

Roger Staubach 1971 132.6
Roger Staubach 1973 120.0
Roger Staubach 1977 116.3
Craig Morton 1970 114.4
Danny White 1986 113.5
Tony Romo 2014 113.2
Roger Staubach 1979 111.6
Troy Aikman 1993 111.5
Roger Staubach 1978 109.9
Danny White 1982 107.6
Tony Romo 2011 107.1
Danny White 1981 104.1
Troy Aikman 1992 103.8
Tony Romo 2006 103.7
Tony Romo 2007 103.6
Tony Romo 2009 103.5
Roger Staubach 1976 103.4
Troy Aikman 1995 103.2
Roger Staubach 1975 102.8
Craig Morton 1971 101.3
Tony Romo 2010 99.8
Tony Romo 2013 99.7
Troy Aikman 1991 99.6
Danny White 1983 99.6
Troy Aikman 1998 99.4
Danny White 1985 97.0
Tony Romo 2008 97.0
Danny White 1980 96.5
Jason Garrett 1998 95.4
Troy Aikman 1994 95.3
Roger Staubach 1974 94.1
Tony Romo 2012 93.8
Jon Kitna 2010 93.8
Randall Cungam 2000 93.3
Troy Aikman 1999 93.1
Drew Bledsoe 2005 92.6
Troy Aikman 1996 92.2
Steve Pelluer 1987 92.1
Steve Beuerlein 1991 90.1
Troy Aikman 1997 90.1
Craig Morton 1972 89.5
Steve Pelluer 1988 87.7
Danny White 1987 87.7
Gary Hogeoom 1985 87.2
Danny White 1984 85.4
Steve Pelluer 1986 83.5
Vinny Testavrde 2004 82.6
Quincy Carter 2003 81.9
Quincy Carter 2002 80.8
Troy Aikman 1990 78.7
Drew Bledsoe 2006 77.8
Gary Hogeboom 1984 77.6
Troy Aikman 2000 75.2
Chad Hutchinsn 2002 74.8
Steve Walsh 1989 74.3
Quincy Carter 2001 73.5
Troy Aikman 1989 69.5

 

[Rock Slamdance]

Don't care. Not reading this until you finish your unnecessary playoff heroes thread.

 

[Doomsday]

Great post showing how the rules have affected the passing game - the intent of course, to make for a more exciting game, more AFL style.

 

[Statman]

Your thirst for knowledge is inspiring, enlightened one.

Its the opinion of many younger fans that the higher passer ratings of today are attributed to better, smarter, more athletic quarterbacks than in the past. Schemes are more sophisticated, they are better prepared and coached. Not true.The rules have simply been tipped in their favor, giving them a quantified advantage.

 

[Doomsday]

Its the opinion of many younger fans that the higher passer ratings of today are attributed to better, smarter, more athletic quarterbacks than in the past. Schemes are more sophisticated, they are better prepared and coached. Not true.The rules have simply been tipped in their favor, giving them a quantified advantage.

I've always pointed out that quarterbacks of today are more a product of the era they play in, than anything else. Most of them couldn't survive playing in the 70s, 80s or 90s for that matter.

Your thirst for knowledge is inspiring, enlightened one.

He doesn't care about anything prior to 1992, from what I've gathered from his posting. There's a couple or three here who are like that. They have disdain for the history and the legends.

 

[Statman]

Didn't see you post while responding to previous one. You know, I've never been one to believe that more scoring, a more dynamic passing game, and more frequent big plays make for a more exciting gave.

I think it managed to reduce the value of scoring, reduce recognition of great defensive efforts, and elevate the status of quarterbacks to the point where all the other players are little more than field decoration.

One of the best games I saw was the Cowboy Lion playoff game in 1970 which the Cowboys won 5-0.

These days when defenses are discussed it's usually to assign blame. What happened to the Doomsday Defense, Steele Curtain, Purple People Eaters, Fearsome Foursome? When was the last truly dominant defense?

 

[w8lifter]

I really enjoy this thread, Statman.

Back in the late '70's, I remember the older die hard Cowboys fans that lived in Downtown Dallas (and watched many games in the Cotton Bowl as opposed to Texas Stadium) telling me Roger Staubach & Danny White would've never survived the beatings Dandy Don took when on the field.

At that time I was just a teenager, so I figured it was their way of glorifying the past. I realize now that wasnt the case. I imagine its also one of the reasons Don Merideth only lived to be 62 years old.

 

[Doomsday]

telling me Roger Staubach & Danny White would've never survived the beatings Dandy Don took when on the field.

Meredith was one tough SOB and had his own mean streak a mile wide.

 

[ravidubey]

Professionals got better at practicing and taking care of their bodies.

Used to be few QBs could throw an accurate deep pass especially under pressure.

Now every QB worth a damn can make every kind of pass in almost any situation.

The rules changes had less to do with it than the fact that the players are getting better and more is expected of them in the passing game. They are just flat out better at it.

No significant rules changes have been made since 2002, but look at the passer rating trend continue to improve.

The craft of football is improving.

 

[ThoughtExperiment]

The rules changes had less to do with it than the fact that the players are getting better and more is expected of them in the passing game. They are just flat out better at it.

True, they are getting better. But so are defenses. Those players are faster, quicker, better trained also.

And I don't know how you say no rules changes since 2002. There have been numerous changes in "emphasis" like the post Manning-Patriots championship game in 2005 or whatever it was. Plus all the rules about defenseless receivers, not hitting QBs below the waist, etc.

I think things like extensive 7-on-7 camps all spring and summer for kids have helped, too. But it's mostly the rules (or interpretations) being different.

 

[Doomsday]

the players are getting better and more is expected of them in the passing game. They are just flat out better at it.

Plus they start at the craft of passing-game football much earlier than they used to. More and more HS offenses are going full on air raid. Most every city and small town now has a 7 on 7 summer program that is completely air raid. Even the middle school offenses are more pass oriented.

BUT - none of this really works at all under the old rules. Because getting open before the QB gets smushed would be a lot tougher, and the QB himself would be getting stove up a lot more.

It's not just the one thing, it's a combination.

 

[Doomsday]

By the way I think we lost Statman, hasn't been online here in three days.

Bunch of fucking meanies!

 

[JBond]

I am going to laugh my ass off if Statman is Hos. Similar writing style. Anyway, it was a good post Statman. Sources?

 

[DezIrvin]

Professionals got better at practicing and taking care of their bodies.

Used to be few QBs could throw an accurate deep pass especially under pressure.

Now every QB worth a damn can make every kind of pass in almost any situation.

The rules changes had less to do with it than the fact that the players are getting better and more is expected of them in the passing game. They are just flat out better at it.

No significant rules changes have been made since 2002, but look at the passer rating trend continue to improve.

The craft of football is improving.

absolutely.

the game evolves definitely with rule changes, but it evolves moreso because the arms race keeps forcing kids and coaches to start earlier, be even better. there's no question that the rules change has allowed the spread offense to flourish, but that evolution mostly came about because coaches got more aggressive because their players got better and it became apparent that spreading your opponent out gave everyone more room to operate which is better than voluntarily bunching the LOS and handing the ball off. Training for football is a 365 day a year process, as opposed to the good old days. People feel the understandable urge to protect their heroes and history, which leads to the silly ideas that Roger Staubach or Johnny Unitas are even in the same stratosphere as passers that Peyton Manning and Tony Romo are.

 

[bbgun]

People feel the understandable urge to protect their heroes and history, which leads to the silly ideas that Roger Staubach or Johnny Unitas are even in the same stratosphere as passers that Peyton Manning and Tony Romo are.

why is it "silly" or inconceivable that Unitas and Staubach, who played in an era when you could decapitate the QB and mug their wide receivers, would be as good or better than Romo if they had the same modern-day advantages like nutrition, year-round training, superior equipment, video technology, medical/surgical advances, rules changes that protect the QB and open up the offense, etc? If you were great in 1975 without all that help, why can't you be even better today?

 

[DezIrvin]

i didn't say they couldn't. but they didn't have all that shit. and they weren't.

 

[bbgun]

yes, well, there are plenty of QBs today who put up eye-popping numbers, but that doesn't put them in the same "stratosphere" as Roger or Unitas.

lies, damn lies, and ....

 

[Dodger12]

I think things like extensive 7-on-7 camps all spring and summer for kids have helped, too. But it's mostly the rules (or interpretations) being different.

Plus they start at the craft of passing-game football much earlier than they used to. More and more HS offenses are going full on air raid. Most every city and small town now has a 7 on 7 summer program that is completely air raid. Even the middle school offenses are more pass oriented.

This. High school football is a completely different game, at least in my area, then it was 20 or 30 years ago. I see most teams have a no-huddle, spread offense and pass the ball all over the field. It's amazing to me sometimes.

 

[ravidubey]

BUT - none of this really works at all under the old rules. Because getting open before the QB gets smushed would be a lot tougher, and the QB himself would be getting stove up a lot more.

I think the improving trend is caused by generations of players and coaches inspired by the passing game and working harder and from a younger age to get better at it.

You are correct that the rules change made in 1978 accelerated it, but IMO it was inevitable.

At that time the NFL had all three networks locked up and brought the passing game into more living rooms than ever before. The highest rated Superbowls in terms of percentage of households still to this day are from 1982, 1983, and 1986.

It's now two whole generations of football players since that change and the trend is still improving with offense outpacing defense.

You also have a point about the 2000 change to emphasize QB protection. That rule kept Manning, Brady, Favre, Warner, and Brees playing longer and game them more years to perfect their craft, but I also see young QB's like Rodgers coming in and dominating from the start.

If you ask me, the biggest thing that made Rodgers great is the chip on his shoulder from dropping in the draft and being forced to wait behind Favre so long. He practiced endlessly until he basically became perfect. His 38 to 5 TD to Int ratio last year was just unbelievable.

This just doesn't happen in the days of Stabler and Namath carousing into the wee hours and showing up to games hammered. It's a new landscape.

 

[DezIrvin]

yes, well, there are plenty of QBs today who put up eye-popping numbers, but that doesn't put them in the same "stratosphere" as Roger or Unitas.

lies, damn lies, and ....

if they play the game at a higher level there is nothing but nostalgia holding you back from admitting that today's players are just on another level. the game is being played at a higher level than it's ever been. the pool of players that these guys are beating out to reach the top levels is infinitely larger and more talented. everything about the game is just plain better. i don't think it's a stretch to admit that most of yesteryears players could not compete with today's top guys.