Coaches are confused, players are perplexed, and fans are furious. This was predictable. Late in the NFC championship game, the Saints faced a third-and 13 yards from the end zone. Incredibly, the referees did not call pass interference. The Saints went on to lose the game in overtime. Two months after the Saints lost, Payton began an unusually aggressive campaign to create a rule change that could prevent another team from losing the way his did.
He convinced commissioner Roger Goodell to support him. By the time the vote came in March, 31 of 32 owners agreed to make pass interference reviewable. As is customary with new rule changes, it was approved for a one-year trial period. The change was a reactive Band-Aid, not a proactive plan to not get cut again. It also missed the larger point: Fans were angry that referees missed a penalty that affected the outcome of the NFC championship game, but nobody cared that the penalty in question was specifically pass interference.
In the past, replay review was mostly used for objective issues: Did the ball cross the white line? Were 12 men on the field? Now the league has introduced pass interference, which is a subjective call, to the process. Is there clear and obvious visual evidence that the defender initiated contact against the receiver that significantly hindered his ability to catch the ball?
Understanding the question is exhausting, never mind answering it. The league made the mistake of wading into subjective territory, and it chose the worst penalty possible to experiment on. Overturning pass interference consistently is difficult because pass interference is not called with any consistency.
Robey-Coleman told The Ringer in August that some referee crews are strict, while some let players play. Just about all of the crews are more lenient in big games, like the NFC championship, than they are midseason. Robey-Coleman also said that some pass interference calls are context-dependent, like foul calls in basketball.
Small defenders can get away with more on bigger receivers, and stars usually earn calls that lesser players would not. The Hopkins play is an obvious exception. There were more than 17, pass plays in the regular season. But there seemed to be little fear among coaches the change could become a problem when owners passed the rule. I truly believe we did.
Almost three-quarters of the way through the first season with these changes, it seems like that would be the minority opinion. More FTW. From The Web. The Latest. NBA 29m ago Milwaukee Bucks vs. NHL 44m ago Edmonton Oilers vs. Soccer 1hr ago Uruguay vs. Video Games 1hr ago 'Among Us' is getting 'League of Legends' cosmetics for a limited time Dress like Caitlyn, sting like an astronaut. Error Please enter an email address. Success Thanks for signing up. Two Bucs starters will remain out of the lineup in Week Plus, other news from around the NFL.
Carolina's decision to bring Cam Newton back came just three days before the club's next game. On Thursday, Wilson discussed White's performances and areas where can he grow as a first-year pro. Following Beckham signing with Los Angeles on Thursday, Johnson isn't sure how the pairing will mesh.
Robert Hunt made the most memorable play of Miami's Thursday night win over Baltimore, hauling in what looked to be a TD catch-and-run. The only problem for the offensive lineman: He wasn't an eligible receiver. Around the NFL. Owners make pass interference, non-calls reviewable Published: Mar 26, at PM. Jeremy Bergman Digital Content Editor. This rule change is only for the season. Coaches will still have only two challenge flags.
On Tuesday night, Benson celebrated the rule change. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be missing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an issue.
Related Content. The Saints will be without their most dynamic offensive weapon against Tennessee on Sunday.
0コメント