Defense Likely to Lead Way in Draft After Racking Up Numbers on Quarterbacks

Each year throughout the NFL season, experts, media and football fans constantly complain and act baffled as to why offenses cannot execute on a consistent bases. And now, there's a new complaint that is suddenly popular: Why do certain quarterbacks hold the ball long?

Well, here's the answer, defensive players get paid big bucks, too. It's as simple as that and after the 2011 NFL draft, which is loaded with good defensive players, expect the trend of quarterbacks hanging in the pocket with the ball longer to continue.

J.J. Cooper of FanHouse.com assessed the time that NFL quarterbacks have to get rid of the ball before they're on their backs watching the birds fly in the air -- 2.7 seconds. But here's the kicker, the mental clock has to change because just as offenses evolve due to rule changes that cater to the executors and the development of the offensive athlete, defenses adapt along with the defensive athlete.

The responsibility falls on the offensive line and running backs on pass protection to provide the time for the quarterback to deliver the ball. Now, there are exceptions where it is clear that the signal caller holds the ball too long due to confusion, but name a quarterback who wants to hold the ball, purposely, to get hit by defenders weighing 250-plus pounds attacking at blinding speed from different angles?

After this year's draft and the drafts to come, teams can never load up on too many defenders, mainly linebackers due to injuries and the value they have.

Out of the projected top 64 prospects in this year's draft, 33 are defensive players, but 25 are defensive linemen, which are more than a third. Blitzing is a major part of the game and defenses have to be aggressive because of the great offensive minds in the league. If opposing defenses do not attack, stars on offense will have a field day. Fans want to see their teams to light up the scoreboard, however defensive players have a job to do as well.

The total amount of sacks for the 2010 season was 1,119. That's 10 more from 2009 and three-and-outs were forced 37 more times from the previous year as well. This means defenses are better adapting to offenses each year and sacks and three-and-outs are likely to continue to increase, especially with this upcoming draft in April.Most quarterbacks in the league aren't as skilled and have a better understanding of defenses like Peyton Manning (who was sacked 15 times in 2010, but 13 times in 2009), Tom Brady (who was sacked 25 times in 2010, but 18 times in 2009) and Drew Brees (who was sacked 26 times in 2010, but 20 times in 2009) who has good consistent protection. But in the same breath a quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger, who played with a banged up offensive line for the past two seasons, had to make plays with his legs and hold the ball to execute completions, despite being sacked 32 times this season and nailed 50 times in 2009.

The bottom line is defenses are forcing quarterbacks to hold the ball longer due to constant pressure and coverage sacks, not totally by choice. The 2011 draft will help continue this trend of making quarterbacks think twice after each snap because it's defense heavy. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was the poster boy for holding the ball too long last season, according to Cooper. Some of this is due to his continuing development and pass protection, but mainly due to defenses being a step ahead.

"I mean here is a guy in his third year," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh on Jan. 17 in his press conference as he defended his young quarterback. "There are many plays and many throws and many looks and things like that that he's going to look at that tape -- even all through the season -- and go, 'Gosh, I know I can do that so much better.'

"It just doesn't happen overnight. I think it's a process. I think in this league, if you want to win these games, and you want to take it to that level, you've got to play great defense, and you've got to make plays on offense. And Joe is going to be able to do that."

Offenses must adapt to the defenses because good defensive play will change the game, which the powers that be don't want to see.