Tough to be a CFL quarterback

Ricky Ray

Chris Schultz

10/1/2007 12:39:08 PM

One of the interesting questions so far this year in the CFL is, why are there so many injuries to quarterbacks? 

It is true that going into the season, if you expect your quarterback to stay healthy all 18 games, you are embracing unrealistic expectations.  You have to spend time, money and energy in making sure that quarterback number two is as close in ability to quarterback number one as possible.  And the the can be said for quarterback number three!

There are some obvious reasons as to why quarterbacks just do not seem to last.  They take hits from all directions at vulnerable moments.  They must develop the mental discipline , a willingness to accept and anticipate physical punishment as a reward for a completed pass.  And at a most basic level, the majority of quarterbacks are not intense weight-lifters - body-builder types that take the time needed to maximize themselves physically in order to better absorb punishment successfully.

But there is another element involved, and that is what I describe as evil intent from everyone on defence.

I know this mentality clearly.  I spent four years as a defensive end and defensive tackle at the University of Arizona.  I switched to offence for my senior year (in retrospect, I intensely wish I had spent all my years on offence as that is what I was genetically made to play), and the understanding of how people on defence think was ingrained in me. 

The quarterback is not just another player.  He is a target.  Everyone on defence knows that if you physically take the QB out of the game, the chance of winning increases significantly because, in most cases, quarterback number two is nowhere near as polished as the starter.

I remember all my years on defence, all the drills, all of the scrimmages, all the battles with offensive linemen - all for the that chance to physically destroy someone dramatically smaller than me - the quarterback.  The few times I accomplished my goal it was a rush, a fantastic feeling of accomplishment; over-coming adversity to achieve a goal.  I just wanted to stay there, like the lion who finally catches the impala and hovers over his prey with a surreal sense of pride.  The crowd cheers with unusual intensity.  The genuine congratulations come in waves and you feel your worth to the rest of the defence is justified in every way.

When the quarterback runs in open space past the line of scrimmage, he is fair game.  All of a sudden, the defenders are no longer worried about executing a responsibility.  No, it's get the quarterback and destroy him as fast as possible.  Many defensive players find it insulting when a quarterback does run.  It's like the QB telling the defence, "I have no fear of consequence, so catch me if you can."

This mentality of seek and destroy on defence is deeply established in players from youth football all the way to the pros.  And when injuries happen, it's no big deal.  That stuff happens.  Players talk about it before, during and after the games.    If they could, a collection of trophies would be evident in their homes in direct correlation to the number of times their hit on a quarterback turned out to be a game-deciding moment.  Hey, there have been times I have reminded my friends on defence that a big play by them and the game would be over - with us winning.

Does it mean that everyone on defence is a barbarian ready to crush the meek and innocent quarterback given the chance?  No.  I love my players on defence - I was one of them for four years.  It's just  a part of the game.  Evil intent.  But it has a separation in personality from the way you are on the field and the way you are off the field.

I have had conversations with fellow players on defence who are intelligent and poised, but when they talk about the quarterback, they lose their intelligence and poise.  In some ways, it is a surreal comedy.  Players that never swear or say a negative word about anybody will talk with exceptional clarity and detail about how their internal desires of debauchery have yet to be satisfied.  About how, given the opportunity, one hit on the QB by them and the game would be over, and how wonderful they think that would be.

The moment you separate from an offensive lineman, or see the opportunity, the space between you and the quarterback closing, the adrenaline kicks in hard.  Now that's just a chemical reaction, not an educated or cognitive thought. That is why, in many situations, the quarterback eludes the first threat.  It's not so much due to his ability to move, but more due to an over-reaction to the opportunity by the player on defence.

Quarterbacks are always at risk.  They know they are a target and the best ones love that challenge.  However, no matter if you are competing in archery or pro football, if you keep trying, you're going to hit the target eventually.  In archery, the target wears out after a while because there are so many holes in it - especially if it is made out of paper.

You hit that target enough in football, you're going to wear him out, too.