Force out rule change = advantage Patriots - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

betterthanthealternative · 08-03-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomBrady'sGoat

Except that the old judgement call occurred frequently and the new one might happen once a year.

Every call that is made in favor of the defender ("caught but incomplete out of bounds due to defensive contact") will now warrant an argument from the offense that the defender took too many steps or the receiver went too far in the air and thus "carried" rather than "pushed."

It may be that there is little evidence of this happening in the past is because this rule wasn't in effect. Now, rather than always attempting to play the ball or knock it loose by hitting the receiver as hard as possible, defenders will be taught to get the receiver out of bounds prior to two feet coming down be any means possible.

***patchick*** · 08-03-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betterthanthealternative

It may be that there is little evidence of this happening in the past is because this rule wasn't in effect. Now, rather than always attempting to play the ball or knock it loose by hitting the receiver as hard as possible, defenders will be taught to get the receiver out of bounds prior to two feet coming down be any means possible.

I'm a little more worried about injuries than "carrying." As a DB you don't want to have to try to catch an airborne WR! But you might start playing his lower legs rather than his body or hands (or, of course, the ball). If a WR goes up high for a catch near the sidelines and the DB makes his priority keeping the guy's feet off the ground, that could lead to a lot of WRs in vulnerable, dangerous positions -- especially if a second defender comes in.

Sicilian · 08-03-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patchick

I'm a little more worried about injuries than "carrying." As a DB you don't want to have to try to catch an airborne WR! But you might start playing his lower legs rather than his body or hands (or, of course, the ball). If a WR goes up high for a catch near the sidelines and the DB makes his priority keeping the guy's feet off the ground, that could lead to a lot of WRs in vulnerable, dangerous positions -- especially if a second defender comes in.

Then QBs will need to learn not to throw to receivers in these vulnerable positions, just like they've learned (some of them anyway) not to lead their receivers over the middle when they're about to get popped by a safety.

For once, a rule change will force the offense to adjust.

***patchick*** · 08-03-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sicilian

For once, a rule change will force the offense to adjust.

That certainly is a nice change of pace. DB's must be in shock!

makoute · 08-03-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Bong

When a receiver of any size is at the peak of his jump, it's actually very easy to push that player 3 or 4 feet (often resulting in out of bounds). I see this rule being heavily scrutinized, criticized and needing to be clarified within the first three weeks of the season. Should have never changed it.

I don't think this rule will remain for too long.

***fgssand*** · 08-03-2008, 02:33 PM

It's always all about us......they do not want to see more passing records broken by the Patriots, so they had to do something to slow down the most prolific passing attack in NFL history.

But, that's OK, we loaded up with RB's and they helped strengthen our Defensive backfield by virtue of the rule change.

BB is always way ahead of the rest....

Written with tongue somewhat implanted in cheek, but not totally.

TomBrady'sGoat · 08-03-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betterthanthealternative

Every call that is made in favor of the defender ("caught but incomplete out of bounds due to defensive contact") will now warrant an argument from the offense that the defender took too many steps or the receiver went too far in the air and thus "carried" rather than "pushed."

It may be that there is little evidence of this happening in the past is because this rule wasn't in effect. Now, rather than always attempting to play the ball or knock it loose by hitting the receiver as hard as possible, defenders will be taught to get the receiver out of bounds prior to two feet coming down be any means possible.

The assumption (and my hope) is that the "carried" exception will be a last resort and not a regular call. It should only be called in extreme, egregious situations. Unless a receiver is literally carried towards over sideline (which I would define as defenders taking steps while carrying a receiver) there shouldn't be a call. If refs start making the call when defenders simply tackle a guy over the sideline then I'll agree that the change is pointless and accomplishes nothing.

As for the example, the force-out rule didn't always exist and receivers being carried wasn't a problem then.