Quarterbacks can be victims
A close look at the numbers reveals that not every interception should fall on the shoulders of the quarterback.
Updated: May 24, 2007, 11:22 AM ET
By
KC Joyner | ESPN Insider
One of the greatest statistical inequities in the NFL is how quarterbacks are charged for interceptions no matter who was to blame for the turnover. For example, if the quarterback throws a perfect pass and the receiver lets the defender rip the ball away from him for the pick, the quarterback is still charged with an interception.
This lack of accountability led me to split interceptions into two types. The first type is what I call at-fault interceptions. These are interceptions caused by the quarterback either forcing a pass into coverage or throwing an inaccurate pass.
The second type I call not-at-fault interceptions. These are interceptions that occur for reasons other than bad decisions or inaccurate passes. The most common reasons for these interceptions are the following:
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
-
ESPN The Magazine subscribers
-
Need more information?
SPONSORED HEADLINES
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- San Francisco, Houston win Super Bowl bids
- Romo out at least 3 weeks after surgery
- Jets' Goodson to plead not guilty to charges
- Kraft: Positive reports on Gronk's surgery
MOST SENT STORIES ON ESPN.COM
ALSO SEE
- Horton: How Eagles adapt to Kelly's scheme
- Edwards: The NFL's all-time Top 20 coaches
- Tuley: Best early-season win-total bets
- Red Flags: NFC East | North | South | West
- Kiper: 2014 Big Board | Top TEs | OLBs | ILBs


