NFL Gameday Rosters Expand To 46, Third QB Will Be Active

by JasonB on Jul 22, 2011 2:01 PM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

East-West Shrine Game legend Mike Kafka would have been active last year. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Adam Schefter reported today that the NFL will expand their gameday rosters this season from 45 to 46, but the third QB will no longer count as an inactive player.

So this sounds like a change, but when you think about it, it's really not. Previously, there were 45 active players allowed and the 3rd QB was inactive. So if he cane into the game, your starter then became inactive for the rest of the day. So, this new rule change means that there will still be the same 45 active players, just that the 3rd QB will now count as an extra guy.

Really it just makes sense to do this. The 3rd QB rule always seemed unnecessary and overly confusing. Frankly, I don't see the point of inactive players at all... but certainly the weird rule about the 3rd QB never made much sense.

Now, presumably, all that stuff about the starter not being able to play after the 3rd QB etc is gone because he's a fully active player. That opens up a few interesting options. For one, it would have made all those years with Koy Detmer as the designated holder a lot easier. If you remember, Detmer was always listed as the #2 QB, but in reality Jeff Garcia or Kevin Kolb or whoever was the real backup, but they were listed as #3 so Koy would be allowed to hold. That wouldn't be an issue now.

I also think you could potentially see more teams looking at that third QB spot as a potential weapon. Maybe more teams will start employing hybrid or wildcat style QBs as that third guy. Think of the Jets with Brad Smith or the McNabb/Vick/Kolb Eagles...

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This is one of those rules where you look back and think “What was the thought process of why people wanted this rule when it was implemented in the first place?” I can’t think of anything.

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by JimmyK on Jul 22, 2011 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

I think it was an attempt to force teams to have a legitimate emergency QB, to avoid having teams throwing out a Brian Mitchell type guy as their QB after the starter and backup get hurt, since teams might want to dress an extra special teams guy instead of a QB, for example.

Still, it was a pretty stupid rule, especially with the Wildcat gimmick plays showing up in the last couple of years.

by Rujasu on Jul 22, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

And speaking of rules, I believe you’re in violation of Mike Kafka being pictured without some sort of “East-West Shrine Game” mention in the caption.

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by JimmyK on Jul 22, 2011 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Fixed

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by JasonB on Jul 22, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Terrell Pryor's

stock just went up…

FLY #7 FLY !!!
In MUDD I trust !!!

by BWestFactor on Jul 22, 2011 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Was thinking the same thing, at first when he declared I was thinking about him & the Eagles but not anymore. With this new rule I don’t think I would still want him since I don’t want to take Mike Vick off the field.

Twitter- @kjbrophy

by The Legend on Jul 22, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

using a 3rd qb as a weapon?? really??

do any teams currently go with only 2 qb’s? most have 3 anyway right?

by thePurpleLion on Jul 22, 2011 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

They basically had to carry 3, because one of the slots could only be used for a third QB.

by Rujasu on Jul 22, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I think some teams have gone with only 2 QBs before.

Twitter- @kjbrophy

by The Legend on Jul 22, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep Indy only went with 2 QBs last year

Twitter- @kjbrophy

by The Legend on Jul 22, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Great!

Now they just have to fix the stupid “inactive” players rule completely, and we’ll be all set.

Next CBA in 7-10 years, you say?

Nuts.

(Although I personally think this will come up when the 18-game schedule becomes a big deal again.)

by Eagle Fly Free on Jul 22, 2011 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

why not bring in pat white

He is the prototypical 3rd string guy, bring him in on trick plays and what not

by con-vick on Jul 22, 2011 8:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Well for the Eagles, why take out Michael Vick to bring on Vick-lite?

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by JasonB on Jul 22, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

u dont have to take vick out

U can direct snap it to white, hand it off to him, reverses, throw it to him, let him throw it on some trick plays, andy could get creative with him and vick back there

by con-vick on Jul 22, 2011 11:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Why not just do that with DeSean or LeSean, both of whom are far better at it than White?

Presumably you’d have to take a WR or RB off the field to put White on.

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by JasonB on Jul 22, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions

true

But his ability to throw would add another wrinkle to the offense, another weapon the defense would have to account for, and I’m only talking like 3 or 4 times a game, maybe in the redzone or something

by con-vick on Jul 23, 2011 12:07 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

White wasn't that good at passing...

Just throw Chad Hall back there with Vick.

Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...

Wild_Eagle!

Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.

-Awarded by Number5

Wild_Eagles’ Heart is scarier than Hell, you lose. - d-jackfan10 at the troll known as vicksuck!

by wild_eagle on Jul 23, 2011 2:21 AM EDT up reply actions

i never saw him attempt a pass in miami

But I do remember at the combine, they said he improved his stock with his passing performance

by con-vick on Jul 23, 2011 10:57 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Meh, it's not hard to go from

shitty to bad…

White just doesn’t have a good arm.

Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...

Wild_Eagle!

-Awarded by Number5

Wild_Eagles’ Heart is scarier than Hell, you lose. - d-jackfan10 at the troll known as vicksuck!

by wild_eagle on Jul 24, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Jason...

Pat White is vick-ultralite

Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...

Wild_Eagle!

-Awarded by Number5

Wild_Eagles’ Heart is scarier than Hell, you lose. - d-jackfan10 at the troll known as vicksuck!

by wild_eagle on Jul 23, 2011 2:20 AM EDT up reply actions

lol this x10

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on Jul 24, 2011 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I would like to see Dennis Dixon with us.

Dudes got mad speed for wildcat plays. Plus im always nervous when DeSean lines up in the cat formation. Plus i was once told the 3rd QB practices with the practice squad. Anyone know if that is a fact?

"Running through the meadows,laughing with revolvers"- Warcloud.

by Dunta Is A PUNK on Jul 24, 2011 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions