Archived Thread

NFL has been tilting the scales against run defenders

M.S. : 9/6/2024 10:56 am

I have such vivid memories of the ref blowing the whistle AS SOON as a running back’s forward momentum was stopped. Period. Case closed.

But now there’s hardly a whistle when forward momentum stops — the refs just stand around waiting for offensive lineman to plow into the pile for a few extra yards. Huh?

There’s only one way to balance the scale. When a RB’s forward momentum ends, it’s time to allow defenders to smash the pile backward, subtracting yardage. Then we’ll have what the NFL apparently wants — an eff-ing rugby match scrum.

Make the problem better

Blueworm : 9/6/2024 11:03 am : link

By making it worse.

That was the Soviet way.

Didn't the rule used to be that linemen couldn't push ballcarriers?

Greg from LI : 9/6/2024 11:11 am : link

Would prefer if that were reinstated.

yup

Cap'n Bluebeard : 9/6/2024 11:14 am : link

That first Pacheco TD last night should have been blown dead well before he crossed the line. It looked to me like he was stopped and I believe he even got pushed back a little bit before he twisted his way through/was pushed into the endzone.

Greg is right. It used to be illegal for teammates to push the ballcarrier forward into the endzone, but they changed that rule a few years ago. Making that illegal again would also outlaw that bullshit tush push play. Win win.

The rule won't get changed in season

rich in DC : 9/6/2024 12:07 pm : link

I have wondered since last season why defensive coaches don't train a LB or other player to dive in and take everyone's legs out. After an injury or two, that might convince the NFL to kill the rugby scrum

Here is something from a SI article

Lines of Scrimmage : 9/6/2024 12:38 pm : link

"At one time, pushing the ball carrier was illegal in both the NFL and college football; however, both changed the rules to allow it, with the NFL doing so in 2005 and college in 2013."

I remember this coming up way back in I believe 2005 when USC/ND played. Leinart was pushed into the endzone and many felt it should have been a penalty.

I think allowing this to continue is going to result in injuries

kelly : 9/6/2024 1:15 pm : link

As smaller players trying to stop the scrum will be going for knees.

More teamss are actually going to start teaching the scrum shuffle if the nfl doesnt shut it down.

We actually had a play in high school where the o line would be hip tp hip and just ply forward as a scrum with running back behind it.

The only way to stop it was for d line to go low and tackle legs.

RE: Didn't the rule used to be that linemen couldn't push ballcarriers?

M.S. : 9/6/2024 2:02 pm : link

In comment 16596272 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

Would prefer if that were reinstated.

That’s my recollection.

RE: Make the problem better

M.S. : 9/6/2024 4:12 pm : link

In comment 16596263 Blueworm said:

Quote:

By making it worse.

That was the Soviet way.

PoliSci Major?

RE: Here is something from a SI article

section125 : 9/6/2024 4:49 pm : link

In comment 16596370 Lines of Scrimmage said:

Quote:

.....
I remember this coming up way back in I believe 2005 when USC/ND played. Leinart was pushed into the endzone and many felt it should have been a penalty.

Yes that is correct. Last play of the game. He was stopped and was then pushed into the EZ for USC to win.

I have no doubt

Eman11 : 9/6/2024 5:26 pm : link

If the KC RB fumbled after the initial stop at the goal line, their fans would’ve been pissed the whistle didn’t blow for forward progress. I’d bet it would be a bigger deal today than how it played out last night.

I thought it was you couldn’t “pull” the ball carrier

DeVito32 : 9/6/2024 7:20 pm : link

But yes it’s getting a little out of hand. Once the momentum has stopped the whistle should be blown.