It would be easy enough for the refs to wear something like a bicycle helmet. That wouldn’t obstruct their view in any way. I think I’d want something like that if I was out there.
That sucks for Bryant. At least he’s not going out without some bank, but still. I hope it works out for him as not only did it seem his attitude improved, but his play was the only bright spot on a horrible Bucs offense for awhile. When he’s healthy, he’s fantastic.
They aren’t the only team to do this and I think they learned a lot of from the Pats, to be fair.
That said, I’m not a huge fan of it either, but it is a good tactic to keep the defense on the field and get mismatches…
Lorini
1904
Robert, I don’t have an issue with it because it limits the Colts’ own flexibility too. They can’t sub out if they want to catch the defense flat footed. They also plan for it, and that’s an opportunity cost on its own. To make it illegal just because the refs can’t move fast enough seems arbitrary to me. I think I’d prefer that they just make a standard time that the snap has to called at, or if there already is a standard time, include more time.
Shadarr
1905
You think the hurry-up offense is unsportsmanlike? What the hell are you smoking? It’s called tempo, and teams that play at a higher tempo always have the advantage. The Bills did the exact same thing with Jim Kelly, the Walsh 49ers did it (though without the no huddle). High tempo is the surest sign of a well-coached team. It’s not unsportsmanlike for the Colts to be better at getting up to the line of scrimage and getting in their set. That would be like saying it’s unsportsmanlike for Peyton to throw back-shoulder passes. I mean, they’re hard to defend. That’s unfair!
The league needs to figure this out, because it shouldn’t take any more time for the umpire to get to his position after spotting the ball than it used to. Referees shouldn’t be slowing the game down, and they really shouldn’t be calling penalties for something that is their fault. Rather than putting them in pads, I like the idea of requiring the umpire to be more athletic. Spot the ball, run to your spot. Let the fat old guys be line judges.
The NFL refs are all in shape. They have to undergo physicals and pass conditioning tests every year. One of the things they have to do is run a six minute mile every year.
Lorini
1907
Quickness and stamina are two completely different things. They need to get the hell out of the way as fast as possible if they are going to stand back there. Refs are not supposed to change how the game is played, and they are with this rule. So we’ll see what happens.
No, I didn’t say I don’t like the hurry up. I don’t like the way the Colts tend to run up and snap the ball JUST to get the penalty. It doesn’t hurt them just as much. They aren’t planning to change guys. They are trying to get a penalty and not let the defense adjust. I LIKE the coaching battles and strategies of the NFL. The hurry up isn’t a problem, but the Colts are one of the worst teams about just trying to get lame penalties in order to matriculate the ball. And I didn’t say it should be illegal. But having the refs get in place keeps this from happening. It’s not a legality issue at all. I’m just glad the rule has this side effect.
As an aside, I wanted to say “Sorry” To Asher and the other Rams fans about the Avery situation. That stinks.
Yeah, it does hurt because Avery was the closest thing to a #1 WR the Rams have. The guy has trouble staying on the field, though. It’s been like that in his brief career.
A lot of Rams fans are clamoring for the Rams to go after Vincent Jackson, but in a weird move the Chargers are only allowing him to talk to Seattle and no other NFL teams. I can see them not wanting him going to a division rival or even an AFC team, but how is Seattle any different than the Rams from SD’s perspective?
Anyway, I don’t know if I’d like the Rams giving up a high pick to sign him. He’s a DUI away from a year’s suspension.
Lorini
1910
You would hate Greg Popovich in the NBA, Robert, he games the system any way he can! And that’s all they are doing. The defense can avoid the penalty by getting their slow butts to the line.
I always like teams/coaches who push the rules just to see how far they can go.
Shadarr
1911
It’s a gamble, though. They’re basically victimizing a defense that isn’t ready to play. Against a defense that is ready, they would be hurting themselves because they either have no play called, or a vanilla default play which the defense would be able to stop easily. I don’t have a problem with that, and I don’t want it taken out of the game. It’s one of those things that forces the defense to play honest.
Another “cheeky” play that I wish we’d see more of is the old goose-the-center play. The Niners did it the year they had Steve Young and Bart Oates, and it was good for five yards pretty much every time. And it forces the defense to put a man over the center.
The most logical answer is they have a trade in place pending a contract agreement, and that trade is better than any offer they got from another team.
Sarkus
1912
I doubt it matters to SD really. The move to limit Jackson to talking to Seattle is more of a “we have the power here, not you” move by San Diego. It probably doesn’t hurt that the two teams have already worked out a few deals this year (most notably the Whitehurst trade) and that despite various denials there is probably already the basic framework for a trade in place.
That said, I’m sure San Diego would be willing to let Jackson talk to St. Louis if the Rams were to contact them with a reasonable offer.
Until two days ago, the Rams were one of the poorest teams in terms of finances in the NFL. With Kroenke confirmed as full owner, they’re one of the richest. Whether it’s Jackson or whomever, with Avery out for the year I’d expect Silent Stanley to give Devaney the juice to go get someone.
BTW: I know the Pats front 7 is hurting and depleted, but how good did the Ram o-line look against them? Wow. Saffold and Smith did a great job at tackle the whole first half.
PeterK
1914
I was watching the Chiefs/Eagles game and there was something I didn’t understand. How does the defense get a delay-of-game penalty?
Sarkus
1915
Depends on the situation, but usually that call comes against a defense that is doing something like keeping the ball from being set or something else that’s designed to slow down the pace the offensive team (and refs) are trying to maintain.
Yeah, as I recall I’ve seen it called on the defense for monkeying with the football or taking to long to get back onsides. For the latter, if the ball is placed and the offense is ready to go, a defensive player still on the offensive side of the ball might be penalized.
You can also get a delay of game on the defense for not getting off the ball carrier fast enough. In other words, if you continue to lay on the guy in order to eat up more clock.
PeterK
1918
That stuff makes sense, but I don’t remember seeing anything like that on the play. It looked like everyone was set and the ball was already in place. Maybe it was a late call or something.
Oh, in that case one of the defensive players was making noises to simulate the snap count. That is also a delay of game penalty.
PeterK
1920
Ah, that could’ve been it, thanks.
I love how that even though I’ve been casually watching NFL football for over 20 years, there are still many things I don’t know. There is new stuff to learn every year (not even counting rules changes).
