January 5, 2008

Q, I'm in agreement with the conditions for calling penalties, but I disagree with some that you'd like to see abolished or changed. Let's take them in order.

First, the False Start. Agreed that a little nod of the head, slight adjustment of the stance, or the like should not result in a penalty. But what about a shrug of the shoulders or a movement of the hips that is meant to get the defense off balance or moving? True enough, a defensive lineman should be well-drilled enough to go on the movement of the ball, but sometimes you are not in a position to see the ball being snapped until it has almost hit the quarterback's hands. One thing I would like to see on the false start penalty is to have the play continue to run after the flag is thrown. There are many plays where the false start actually gives an advantage to the penalized team; read New England vs Baltimore this season. Let the play run, then give the defense the option of the play or the penalty.

The Illegal Formation penalty is to prevent the offense from gaining too large an advantage over the defense. It also makes it a lot easier for the officials and defensive players to determine who is an eligible receiver. Leave it alone. Offensive players need to be coached well enough to know where to line up on a given play. If they can't do that right, they deserve the penalty.

Excessive Celebration penalties, especially in the college game, are a disgrace. They seem not to be called with any consistency, and they are far too Draconian a punishment for what is at worst a very minor sin. Unless the celebration is taunting or results in a delay of the game, let it be. This is supposed to be a game where emotion is a factor, and people want to have fun. Players cannot be turned into robots.

Thanks for the "rant", Q. Maybe SpoFi can start a minor reformation in football rules.

posted by Howard_T at 11:17 AM CDT on January 5

Excessive Celebration penalties, especially in the college game, are a disgrace. They seem not to be called with any consistency, and they are far too Draconian a punishment for what is at worst a very minor sin. Unless the celebration is taunting or results in a delay of the game, let it be. This is supposed to be a game where emotion is a factor, and people want to have fun. Players cannot be turned into robots.

I agree with this on a college level. I can't remember but I think it was WVU who made a touchdown in the bowl game and the guy did taunt OU. I may have the wrong game, but regardless, that was a good penalty call. But come on, some of these college players will never make another TD - let them have a little fun.

On some of the other rules: I have never got holding. What I think it is never seems to be what the officials think. I know, I could be wrong. Someone give me a good definition of it. It seems like so many of these rules or penalities have a very fine line on definition.

posted by lil'red at 11:29 AM CDT on January 5

I agree with illegal procedure for a flinch being done away with, if defensive lineman can't adjust to the new rule, sorry for them.

Most rules are designed to protect players from injury.

Two rules that need to be changed involve receivers and defensive backs. Both should be allowed to bump anywhere on the field as long as the bump does not interfere with reception of a ball that is in the air - for example, if a defensive back senses or sees that he has been beaten and bumps a receiver, there should be a penalty with the ball being placed at the point of the foul (like balls used to get placed before the silly five yard penalty for interference on the field). On the flip side, a receiver should be allowed to bump or push a DB as long as the bump or push does not affect reception of the ball or an interception.

posted by Cave_Man at 12:32 PM CDT on January 5

I'm on board with changing the excessive celebration rules.
I loved it when T.O. took out a sharpie and signed the football. Some of that is fine.
However, I hate linebackers that dance around like chickens with their heads cut off when then make a nice tackle when the play went for positive yardage.

As to false starts, the problem is that you have to draw the line somewhere. If you do not have this rule, offensive players will flinch in an attempt to draw defensive players offside.

I do think there should be some sort of "relevency" test to a penalty. Holding called on a player that is 20 yards away from the play for briefly getting tangled up with the player he was blocking. let it go.

posted by dviking at 12:57 PM CDT on January 5

Tell you what, while watching the 1st quarter of today's game between Seattle and Washington, a penalty was called on a Washington player for illegally downing a punt.
First, he was pushed out of bounds, and then when he came back in bounds and was trying to cover the punt he was pushed into the ball. He never tried to down the ball, didn't try to advance it, and there were three other Redskins there to cover the ball as well. Truly no impact whatsoever.

However, the flag was thrown, a five yard penalty, a rekick, and instead of having the ball on their own 20, the Seahawks end up the the ball at midfield.

I understand why the is a rule prohibiting a player from going out of bounds and then being the first one to touch the ball, but in the case where the player is pushed out, and clearly not trying to touch the ball there should be an "incidental touching" rule. Add five yards to where the ball is spotted and let it go. First and ten at their 25 would have made more sense to me.

Sorry for the rant...I feel better.

posted by dviking at 5:26 PM CDT on January 5

at least on the high school level, the holding rule is being altered to address some of the concerns expressed here. holding is not to be called unless it is at the point of attack, is blatant or otherwise affects the outcome of the play.

the rules are constantly evolving to address problems that crop up, with experiments in the rules being made at one or another level every year

posted by shaggyhooch at 6:11 PM CDT on January 5

I am in agreement with budman 13. I recently witnessed a rather non-competitive game, (not pro) and a defensive back made a tackle in the backfield. It went from 1st and 10 to 2nd and 12. He jumped and twisted and jived like he'd saved the world. Actually he was a member of the of the team getting creamed. Put some mustard on that hot dog, fool! Your team is still losing by 21 points! What on Earth do you have to dance about?

posted by Scottymac at 7:38 PM CDT on January 5

"Put some mustard on that hot dog, fool! Your team is still losing by 21 points! What on Earth do you have to dance about?



Finally having someone on his team make a play?

posted by Cave_Man at 6:00 PM CDT on January 6