NFL Rule about QBs

[Tripe Face]

In the Redskins game tonight, shortly after Collins went in for Campbell... Cris Collinsworth said the Redskins can't hold off until the 4th quarter to put Brunell in at QB, because "Then they'd have to leave him there."

Is there some sort of rule that limits subbing for QBs in the 4th Quarter? I've never heard of that in any level of football.

Usually Collinsworth knows his sh!t... and of course Bryant Stumble is too stupid to even ask a follow up.

So tell me folks... is there a rule, or was Collinsworth mistaken?"

[Brooklyn]

I found a 1995 rule change stating the following:

"The emergency (third) quarterback may now enter the game in just the fourth quarter, regardless if the other two quarterbacks are able to play. This means that if the third string quarterback enters the game, the first and/or second quarterback may re-enter, unlike the past two seasons where the emergency quarterback would only play off the first two were unable to resume play."

I then found a Q&A off of a web site from September, 2006:

"Can a team insert the second-string quarterback only to bring the starter back should the team need him later in the game? --Jonathan, Chicago

A team may use their second-string quarterback at any time during the game and then return the first-string quarterback. I think the restriction that you are referring to is the third quarterback. Before each game, a team can declare a third quarterback, which most teams do. If he is used during the first three quarters of the game, the team cannot play either the first-or second-string quarterback. If the third quarterback is used in the fourth quarter, the other quarterbacks may still be used."

- - -

In regards to the second item I listed, I was driving home from work tonight and had the game on ESPN Radio. The announcers were talking about the Bears QB's when Grossman went down. They mentioned Orton had been tossing on the side, but that it was Griese who was the backup, while Orton was listed as the 3rd QB. They then went on to mention that if they went to Orton, they'd have to bypass Griese and then unable to use him in the game.

Interesting rules!

[Grizzled Vet]

* A team's roster contains 53 players

* Only 45 of those players can be "active" on game day

Teams do not want to waste an active spot on a third quarterback who should never see playing time. The rule allows teams to designate a player as the emergency QB, which allows them to suit up 3 QBs, but the "emergency" QB doesn't count against the 45 man active roster.

In tonight's game, if either Orton or Brunell had come in, then that team would have been in a "QB emergency," meaning the third guy was the only one available to play QB.

[Tripe Face]

Brooklyn and Grizzled... thank you both for enlightening me.

Now my worry is, will Gibbs be stupid enough to start Brunell next weekend.

[Kace]

He may take a couple of timeouts to think about it.

[Tripe Face]

He may take a couple of timeouts to think about it.


Kace, that hurt. I am deeply wounded by your remark.

Which is completely accurate... but hurtful nonetheless.

[The Fedora]

I'd bet he starts collins before brunell...

collins is on a little roll after yesterday, let him run with it.

[Desert Rat]

Brooklyn and Grizzled... thank you both for enlightening me.

Now my worry is, will Gibbs be stupid enough to start Brunell next weekend.

Judging by some of his playcalling decisions this year, the answer is yes...:)

See you in the playoffs Tripe.....

Oops, forgot.....the Redskins won't be in the playoffs this year...:)

[Kace]

Awwww, Tripe... :hug:

[The Thrill]

Somebody say the quarterback?

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