Roughing the passer rules, with different interpretations in every game, are not enough. The rule should be made iron-clad, perfectly clear, with no subjectivity whatsoever. Any player who touches a quarterback after he releases the ball is penalized. Plain and simple. This would not sanitize the game as much as it protects it.
Quarterbacks are big boys.
They should be allowed to be hit. But only when the ball is in their hands. It would be a difficult rule to enforce. But it is even more difficult to watch the league lose its best and brightest after they are already out of the play. The NFL can worry about the emergence of the XFL or how to maintain its shrinking apparel sales - issues that were discussed at last week's owners meetings.