NFL legend warns more rulebook tweaks won't save signal-callers from getting hurt
"Well, it might be a good idea to put dresses on all of them," Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert said in response to the NFL tightening rules on roughing the passer calls in 1979.
The Pittsburgh Steelers legend said that in 1979. Imagine what Lambert would say now with all the rules the league has added and altered to protect quarterbacks.
Yet, despite all the changes, the players who play the most important position in all of sports are still getting injured. Heading into Week 4, six starting quarterbacks have already dealt with injuries.
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Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Fouts said that more rules changes aren’t the answer to limiting quarterback injuries.
"Jack (Lambert)’s famous quote was, well, let's just put (dresses) on all those quarterbacks. And I thought that was a good idea 'cause I got really good-looking legs," Fouts told OutKick in a recent interview.
"As far as today and the quarterbacks and getting hurt, it’s a violent, violent game. Defenders are very, very good. They are more athletic than offensive linemen, and that's no rip on offensive linemen. But you look at the number of different blitzes that you are throwing at quarterbacks these days with corners off the slot and linebackers and the whole, the whole nine yards."
As the sport has evolved, players have gotten bigger, stronger and faster. While the NFL can try to protect quarterbacks as much as it can by changing the rulebook, the nature of the game leads to injuries.
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"It basically comes down to protecting the quarterback, and not by rules, but by playing better up front," Fouts said while speaking on behalf of "Miller Night Football."
Unfortunately for the New York Giants, they are the only team whose starting quarterback is expected to miss the rest of the season, as Jaxson Dart underwent surgery on his meniscus. All the other quarterbacks have already returned — Sam Darnold and Kyler Murray — or are expected to return this season — Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Baker Mayfield.
Despite the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Giants and Minnesota Vikings all winning games with their backup quarterbacks, their offenses didn’t look the same.
Regardless of whether any rule changes are made regarding quarterback safety, all the teams can do now is hope their respective offensive lines play well enough to keep their backup quarterbacks upright. While a team may be able to survive an injury to its starting quarterback for a period of time with a backup, its season can take a downward turn quickly if it is forced to rely on its No. 3 quarterback.
Fouts starred at Oregon for three seasons before going to the NFL. He was drafted in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers, with whom he played 15 seasons.
The 75-year-old was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.