supafly

The NFL went ahead with it's proposed rule change for their umpire location. Instead of lining up on the defensive side, the umpires will now line up in the offensive backfield.

Obviously this will affect our pick plays with Welker, to what degree I wonder?

Maybe someone with better knowledge can shed some light, many times it's hard for me to see how often this so called 'pick play' is used due to TV angles, etc.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ive-backfield/

patsinthesnow

The Colts do this bull alot. It should piss of Polian. I remember the 08 colts game on a TD Al Michaels showed the pick on instant replay.

Big-T

Mike Carlson on Channel 5 over here in the UK also pointed out that when the Colts receivers "pick" off each other it is technically offensive pass interference and he says it should be called in such way more often.

supafly

Well, every team does it to some degree. It's quite possible that the play you saw was just coincedental. I do know that it's going to affect us a lot more than any other team, but I don't know to what degree.

If you read the article, there was an umpire that specifically called out Welker for his use of this. I even heard someone mention it on one of those ESPN talk shows as the "Wes Welker" rule--although hopefully that won't stick.

It's hard to tell while watching TV compared to live game action, as to whether or not Welker actually used this as much as some are saying. I can understand taking advantage from time to time, but I am simply wondering how often he used the umpire while route running or catching balls? Hopefully someone else with better knowledge can elaborate a bit.

supafly

Yes, that's a good point, but entirely different altogether. What the Colts have done is actually use their WR's to block off defenders, change and go, the same way a 'pick and roll' is done in basketball. This does not really have much to do with what Welker does, which is use the umpire to shadow or block the defender--so that they'd actually run into the ump at times.

What the Colts do a lot is use each other to pick--while Welker is specifically using the umpire to pick. The Colts are pushing a rule also, but it's not really the same thing. It doesn't put the umpire in any risk of harm's way.

jays52

The trick's been around for a while, but Welker is really exceptional at it. It's really the most effective way of getting open (and open for big yards) when running short inside stuff from the slot against man. The defender is going to press the slot, and attempt to deny a release. When the Y gets a release, the defnder is going to be in his upfield hip. He'll be also likely be messing with the running cadence of the receiver in a subtle "don't get caught" way. The defender is going to be focused on looking over the shoulders of the defender, while feeling the qb with his peripheral. Inside arm makes a play on the ball, outside arm secures the tackle. One can see that given this body positioning, it's pretty easy for the Y to run the defender into the ref as another way of creating seperation.

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supafly

Nice description Jay, thnx. Once again it seems as though the Competition Committee focuses in on something this team does well, and tries to make it harder for us in some way. To me, it's no coincidence that it hasen't ever been a 'problem' before, yet it somehow is now.

BradyBranch39

Of course. They need new excuses for the us to be winning without unauthorized cameramen.

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Koma

If someone from ESPN already thought of that, they'll find a way to make that stick.

Regarding the rule change, are there any calls we may see less of now that the umpire is in a different location?

Big-T

Holding in the Offensive line? views could be obstructed by QB's/RB's/FB's and any defensive players in the backfield. There might be more fumble calls having to be challenged too with no official near tackles in the middle of the field.