So, for a while now, I've been thinking it may be a good idea for the NFL, or football in general, to introduce a new stat to the league, the unearned interception.
Just as baseball pitchers don't have runs counted against them when a teammate commits an error, I feel quarterbacks should get the same treatment when their receivers make a mistake that leads to an interception. In this way, a quarterback's true ability would show.
Now obviously there would have to be a set of rules that would constitute what would be an unearned interception, but I would start with: If the ball hits the receiver in the hands and he should have caught it, it's the receiver's fault and should not be counted against the quarterback.
If the ball is tipped by a defender at the line or at any other spot on the field by a defender, you guessed it - quarterback's fault. I would also place blame on the quarterback if he throws a pick while being hit.
To me, it's very deceiving to see a stat line where a quarterback may have a few interceptions in a game, but some or most weren't his fault.
Obviously, there would also be a lot of changes to other stats as well. For instance, quarterback ratings would be higher and Brett Favre's interception record would be a lot tougher to reach.
With all the new rules coming into the league lately (most of which I disagree with), I would approve of this one. Let's not punish quarterbacks making a good throw.
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