One thing that stood out in the first week of the NFL - there were a total of 6 offensive holding penalties called in week 1. None in the Giants game.
To put this in perspective, in the past three years, each TEAM has averaged 1.2 holding penalties per game. Here are some interesting points:
- Defensive holding was called 22 times in week 1
- There were 14 personal fouls called in week 1 and two players were ejected
- The 6 holding penalties are the fewest for an entire week since the leagues merged!!
- There were 13 offensive PI calls made
I actually like that this is the case. I hope they go to only calling the penalty when it materially impacts a play. The question I have is if the fan influence impacts flags? Otherwise, this must be a league directive that wasn't really talked about so far.
Interesting trend to watch.
I feel like the refs were told to watch for and call offensive PI during the off-season.
Each year they usually pick one thing to focus on and you seem to get a large number of penalties on that thing early in the year.
Good observation....must be intentional by the league
Good observation....must be intentional by the league
Villanueva spent the entire night mugging Carter and LW. Even on LWs sack he had two hands gripping shoulder pads. He probably saved 4 sacks....
I doubt it was fan influence and more likely since there was no preseason they were told to go a bit light for a couple weeks.
I agree with this. As long as it is consistent and all of a sudden a ticky-tack call is made on a TD play - I'd rather have it like it was this week
Quote:
There was one play....that Fackell was in a headlock....and no call.
Good observation....must be intentional by the league
Villanueva spent the entire night mugging Carter and LW. Even on LWs sack he had two hands gripping shoulder pads. He probably saved 4 sacks....
I doubt it was fan influence and more likely since there was no preseason they were told to go a bit light for a couple weeks.
Agreed. I do wonder if it will pick up as the season progresses.
I feel like the refs were told to watch for and call offensive PI during the off-season.
Each year they usually pick one thing to focus on and you seem to get a large number of penalties on that thing early in the year.
I noticed that also. And almost every time the talking heads on tv called them "controversial".
That said, they need to blow the whistle as Engram's glove is being torn off of his hand as the defender is holding him.
I thought the Offensive PI's against Engram, Gallup and AJ Green were all good calls.
and yes, it was noticeable in the games I watched, incl last night.
Are only "takedowns" and "tackles" going to be called?
I hope that to be the case.
I hope this isn't like the "leading with the helmet" sorta thing. Remember that? They were calling it all preseason a few years ago, then it dissapeared once the season started. Maybe holding is the exact opposite....no calls, then after a few weeks the holding calls start flowing in again.
They seem to be looking for OPI now. It was interesting that whichever retired numbnuts was working the broadcast said Engram's OPI was clear because he extended his arm fully, and then on the video of Cooper's from Sunday night he said it was not OPI while the screen was frozen on his arm fully extended into the chest of the defender. I wish the hand fighting allowed on both sides. As it is now every downfield pass play is less exciting because you just expect a flag on somebody.
Mike - that's true. On Slayton's TD, we had two guys on the interior holding Pitt DL guys. Pretty blatant too. Where I want to see holding called is at the point of attack or tearing down a rusher going to the QB. Let the other stuff go.
Several years ago at the combine, I asked a question during a referee session about why they didn't just call egregious fouls and let the borderline stuff go and the response was "a penalty is a penalty no matter where it happens or when". Two years ago I was talking with Carl Cheffers and he said the league was trying to move in that direction. If that's where we can get to - that would be great!
General rule - if you have to go frame by frame to tell if it was a penalty, or use a camera not following the play to see it, shouldn't be called.