2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season began on Thursday, the 8th of September 2011, but the path to that kickoff was blocked by a labor dispute lasting 130 days. A lockout started on March 11 and ended only on July 25, threatening to cancel the entire year of football. The National Football League Players Association renounced its bargaining rights in early 2011 after owners opted out of the 1993 collective bargaining agreement in May 2008. Key issues included financial transparency for owners, rookie pay scales, and an 18 percent reduction in players' revenue share. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees joined seven other players in filing an antitrust suit to stop the lockout. The settlement arrived on July 25, allowing players to sign union authorization cards. The league officially recognized the NFLPA as the exclusive representative on July 30. A new collective bargaining agreement took effect after ratification on August 4 and ran through 2021. Only one game was canceled: the August 7 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game between the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams.
Drew Brees threw for 5,476 yards to set a single-season record during the 2011 season. Tom Brady followed with 5,235 passing yards while Matthew Stafford added 5,038 yards. Three of the nine highest passing yardage totals in history were established that year. Eli Manning finished 14th all-time with 4,933 yards. Aaron Rodgers posted an all-time best quarterback rating of 122.5 for Green Bay. The league set a record average of 229.7 passing yards per team per game, breaking the previous mark by over eight yards. This marked the second consecutive year the NFL led the world in passing offense volume. The overall rushing yards total ranked only 57th all-time compared to these passing numbers. The New Orleans Saints broke multiple offensive records including 7,474 net yards of offense and 5,347 passing yards. They completed 472 passes at a 71.3 percent completion rate. Drew Brees also recorded 13 games with over 300 passing yards and seven consecutive games exceeding that threshold.
The 2011 NFL draft took place from April 28 to 30 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Carolina Panthers selected Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as the first overall pick. Free agency began on July 25 following the end of the lockout. Notable free agent moves included Derek Anderson going from Arizona to Carolina and Bruce Gradkowski moving from Oakland to Cincinnati. Matt Hasselbeck left Seattle for Tennessee while Tarvaris Jackson went from Minnesota to Seattle. Running back Ronnie Brown moved from Miami to Philadelphia and Darren Sproles went from San Diego to New Orleans. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress switched from the New York Giants to the New York Jets. Steve Smith also departed the Giants for Philadelphia. Trades included Kevin Kolb going from Philadelphia to Arizona for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick. Chicago traded Greg Olsen to Carolina for a third-round selection. Washington sent Albert Haynesworth to New England for a fifth-round pick in 2013. Cincinnati dealt Chad Ochocinco to New England for future picks. Donovan McNabb moved from Washington to Minnesota for a sixth-round pick. Reggie Bush was traded from New Orleans to Miami for safety Jonathon Amaya and a swap of sixth-round selections.
The league implemented new rules regarding kickoffs to limit injuries starting with the 2011 season. Kickoffs were moved from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line. Players on the kickoff coverage team could not line up more than five yards behind the kickoff line. All playing fields had to remain green under the so-called Boise State Rule unless approved otherwise. Hits to the head of a passer became fouls only if they were forcible blows. Players were prohibited from launching themselves into defenseless players or using their helmet to initiate contact. A defenseless player was defined as someone throwing, catching, returning kicks, or on the ground at play's end. The league instructed officials to err on the side of caution when calling personal foul penalties. Game-day testing for performance-enhancing drugs began that season without recreational drug testing. Replay reviews of scoring plays could now be initiated by the booth official rather than coaches. Coaches lost the ability to challenge scoring plays outside the two-minute warning.
The Chicago Bears played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium in London on October 23. The Buccaneers served as the home team and won 24, 18. This marked the Bears' second game outside the United States in two years following their participation in the Bills Toronto Series in 2010. One week later on October 30, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Washington Redskins 23, 0 at Rogers Centre in Toronto. Both games fell within the bounds of the 2011 CFL season but did not conflict with Southern Ontario teams playing away games. The Detroit Lions hosted their first Monday Night Football game since 2001 against the Chicago Bears on Columbus Day. The Lions won 24, 13 for their fifth straight win to start the season. Christmas Day fell on Sunday so most afternoon games were moved to Saturday December 24. Only one game remained for Sunday night featuring the Green Bay Packers defeating the Chicago Bears 35, 21.
Eight head coaches were fired during or immediately after the 2010 NFL season compared to three the year prior. Wade Phillips was fired by the Dallas Cowboys on the 8th of November 2010, following a 45, 7 loss to Green Bay. Jason Garrett took over as head coach for 2011. Brad Childress left Minnesota after a Week 11 loss to Green Bay and Leslie Frazier replaced him. Josh McDaniels was fired by Denver on the 5th of December 2010, after losing 17 of 22 games. John Fox became the new head coach in Denver. Mike Singletary was let go by San Francisco after compiling an 18, 22 record. Jim Harbaugh arrived from Stanford where he led Andrew Luck to a 12, 1 record. Ron Rivera replaced John Fox at Carolina after his contract expired. Eric Mangini did not return to Cleveland after leading back-to-back 5, 11 seasons. Tom Cable's option was declined by Oakland while Hue Jackson took over. Jeff Fisher resigned from Tennessee following a dispute with Vince Young. In-season firings included Jack Del Rio leaving Jacksonville after eight years and Todd Haley being dismissed by Kansas City.
The playoffs began on Saturday the 7th of January 2012, and ended with Super Bowl XLVI on the 5th of February 2012. The game took place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21, 17. Eli Manning threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns to earn Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors. He completed nine passes to start the championship game setting a record. Tom Brady finished with six touchdown passes but lost his fourth Super Bowl appearance. Tim Tebow made history throwing an 80-yard scoring play to Demaryius Thomas in overtime against Pittsburgh. That drive lasted only 11 seconds making it the shortest playoff overtime drive ever recorded. Drew Brees became the first quarterback to reach 400+ yards in two consecutive postseason games. Calvin Johnson set a playoff debut record with 210 receiving yards against New Orleans. The Giants won their third Super Bowl title and finished as the team with the most first-place finishes that season. David Akers led all scorers with 166 points while LeSean McCoy scored 20 rushing touchdowns.
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Common questions
When did the 2011 NFL season begin and what caused the delay?
The 2011 NFL season began on Thursday, the 8th of September 2011 after a labor dispute lasting 130 days. A lockout started on March 11 and ended only on July 25, threatening to cancel the entire year of football.
Who set the single-season passing yardage record during the 2011 NFL season?
Drew Brees threw for 5,476 yards to set a single-season record during the 2011 season. He also recorded 13 games with over 300 passing yards and seven consecutive games exceeding that threshold.
Where was the 2011 NFL draft held and who was selected first overall?
The 2011 NFL draft took place from April 28 to 30 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Carolina Panthers selected Auburn quarterback Cam Newton as the first overall pick.
What new kickoff rules were implemented starting with the 2011 NFL season?
Kickoffs were moved from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line to limit injuries. Players on the kickoff coverage team could not line up more than five yards behind the kickoff line.
Which teams played international games during the 2011 NFL season and when did they occur?
The Chicago Bears played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium in London on October 23. One week later on October 30, the Buffalo Bills defeated the Washington Redskins 23, 0 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
When did the playoffs begin and which team won Super Bowl XLVI in the 2011 NFL season?
The playoffs began on Saturday the 7th of January 2012 and ended with Super Bowl XLVI on the 5th of February 2012. The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots 21, 17 to win their third Super Bowl title.