THE CALL ELITE QUARTERBACKS GET

If you think about who the elite quarterbacks have been over the past decade, the names Brady, Manning and Rodgers come to mind. Fans without an elite quarterback on their team frequently complain about the calls that the top quarterbacks get. Looking at some statistics from the past 9 seasons there is definitely a penalty call this group reaps the benefits from more often.

This season Tom Brady and the Patriots have benefited from their opponents having 12 defensive players on the field a total of six times. The rest of the NFL has benefitted from this call a total of 14 times. Unlike pass interference or roughing the passer, 12 players on the field isn't a judgement call. It either happened or it didn't. Sometimes an umpire might need a little help making the call, but once it's called there really can't be any whining about it.

In order to get the call, a quarterback needs to be on top of his game. He needs to know that his onfield personnel has stayed the same and that his opponent isn't finished with their substitution. Moreover, all offensive players need to be set in time for the center to legally snap the ball.
In order for all of these circumstances to occur on a biweekly basis, a quarterback must have excellent situational awareness and uncanny control of his huddle.

Looking back through the 2009 season, here are the leaders for most 12 defensive players on the field calls.

2016- 1st- Colts (Luck) 7, 2nd Packers (Rodgers) 6, 3rd Patriots (Brady) 4
2015- Packers (Rodgers) 9
2014- Packers (Rodgers) 6
2013- Patriots (Brady) 5
2012- Packers (Rodgers) 4
2011- Patriots (Brady) 4
2010- Colts (Manning) 5
2009- Colts (Manning) 5