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nbenallo33
08-12-2010, 08:50 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_15749249

Like never before, the Broncos must grasp the NFL's emergency third quarterback rule.

It shouldn't take long, because the rule is fairly simple:

A) If the designated third, or "emergency," quarterback enters the game during the first three quarters, the club's other two quarterbacks automatically become ineligible the rest of the game. They cannot return at any time, under any circumstances.

B) For the fourth quarter and beyond, a team can use all three quarterbacks. The third quarterback can play and the other two quarterbacks can re-enter.

Let's say the plan, as Broncos coach Josh McDaniels would draw it today, has Kyle Orton as the starter and Tim Tebow as the backup so he can run the run the "Tebow

Because McDaniels doesn't want to activate three quarterbacks on his 45-man game roster, Brady Quinn would be listed as the "emergency" quarterback.

If Orton tweaks his ankle in the first quarter? Most likely, McDan- iels would not bring in Quinn because that would mean Orton and Tebow would be done for the game. Tebow would become the team's quarterback until at least the fourth quarter, when the more passer-tested Quinn could be used.

"All that is just speculation," Quinn said. "There's no sense answering questions about speculation."


Mike Klis, The Denver Post

Dirk
08-12-2010, 09:18 AM
Stupid rule. If there are 3 QBs then a team should be able to play them however they want.

Tned
08-12-2010, 09:20 AM
If McDaniels wants to mix Tebow in here and there are specialty plays, then he will probably have three QBs active, UNLESS he thinks Tebow is capable of being the backup -- meaning he is number two on the depth chart.

I don't think there is any way he makes Quinn the emergency QB unless he thinks Tebow is capable of filling in for Orton if he goes down.

nbenallo33
08-12-2010, 09:26 AM
so does mcdaniels list tebow as a hb? does an emergency QB count on a 53 man roster?

Tned
08-12-2010, 09:42 AM
so does mcdaniels list tebow as a hb? does an emergency QB count on a 53 man roster?

Yes, the QB counts on the 53 man roster, just not as one of the 35 that can be active on game day.

You don't have to have an emergency QB. You can have 6 QBs active on game day if you want. The only complication is that he has to deactivate someone he would normally not if he only had to active QBs and an emergency.

For instance, last year Hillis and Larsen were both active quite a bit, so he might go with one LB less than he did last year, knowing that Larsen could slide back to LB if necessary. Or, maybe go with one less WR, etc.

Basically, those 45 guys can be anyone, QB or otherwise, the only thing not having an emergency QB does is means he has to sacrifice someone at another position on game day.

nbenallo33
08-12-2010, 09:48 AM
Yes, the QB counts on the 53 man roster, just not as one of the 35 that can be active on game day.

You don't have to have an emergency QB. You can have 6 QBs active on game day if you want. The only complication is that he has to deactivate someone he would normally not if he only had to active QBs and an emergency.

For instance, last year Hillis and Larsen were both active quite a bit, so he might go with one LB less than he did last year, knowing that Larsen could slide back to LB if necessary. Or, maybe go with one less WR, etc.

Basically, those 45 guys can be anyone, QB or otherwise, the only thing not having an emergency QB does is means he has to sacrifice someone at another position on game day.

gotcha! thanks for clearing that up

Lonestar
08-12-2010, 11:01 AM
Think you have a mistype in there. 35 should be 45. Or maybe transposed as 53. FWIW
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