I think most of us were talking strictly about stats...nothing else. The rules today are in place to let the offenses have success, specifically in the passing game. In the past 10 seasons, quarterbacks have thrown for more than 4000 yards 76 times. Prior to that there were a total of 56.
In 1995 they put the clamps down on the defense significantly.
" Protection for defenseless players is clarified and expanded. Since 1982, a defensive player was prohibited from using the crown or top of his helmet against a passer, a receiver in the act of catching a pass, or a runner who is in the grasp of a tackler. The clarification provided that:
Defenseless players included a kickoff or punt returner attempting to field a kick in the air, and a player on the ground at the end of a play.
Defensive players are prohibited from lowering their heads to make forcible contact with the facemask, or with the "hairline" or forehead part of the helmet, against an opponent, instead of only with the top/crown.
Defensive players are prohibited from forcibly hitting the defenseless player's head, neck, or face with the helmet or facemask.
Defensive players are prohibited from launching into a defenseless player in a way that causes the defensive player's helmet or facemask to forcibly strike the defenseless player's head, neck, or face, even if the initial contact of the defender's helmet or facemask is lower than the defenseless player's neck.
When tackling a passer during or just after throwing a pass, a defensive player is prohibited from unnecessarily and violently throwing him down and landing on top of him with all or most of the defender's weight."
Prior to those rule changes there were 4000 yard seasons only 23 times and only 3 players had more than one. Dan Marino (6), Warren Moon (3) and Dan Fouts (3)
Here some of the recent names of multi 4000 yard seasons:
Jon Kitna (2)
Matt Schaub (3)
Stafford (4)
Carson Palmer (4)
Eli Manning (4)
Getting passing stats is easy today compared to the past!