Ref on illegal contact: "It's an offensive game."

New England Patriots' Bill Belichick to referee: Throw lots of flags - espnBoston

This comes from John Parry, who led the refs at today's joint practice with Philly. I don't care if he's just stating the obvious -- it irks me that officiating a balanced game isn't part of the referees' mindset. Further evidence of the damage fantasy football has done to the NFL by causing the league to legislate against defense.

From the article by Reiss:

The NFL saw how the Seahawks handled the Broncos with ease and decided to change the emphasis. Well done Manning family...the NFL is becoming a joke with these emphasis rules.

I had mentioned a response to Ken earlier. They start over penalizing this and your gonna see flopping by the Wr's to beg for calls. It's a big turnoff in the NBA as well as soccer. The NFL should tread carefully with this one. Also if they think they can use this judgement call to influence a game they better again tread carefully. The average NFL fan is not blind. They pick up on these things quickly and will turn in a heartbeat if they think the product is being tampered with.

I just don't see how defensive backs can defend with what ALREADY is a questionable rule getting added emphasis. What the hell are cornerbacks supposed to do? This crap pisses me off to no end.

Patriot Missile said:

I had mentioned a response to Ken earlier. They start over penalizing this and your gonna see flopping by the Wr's to beg for calls. It's a big turnoff in the NBA as well as soccer. The NFL should tread carefully with this one. Also if they think they can use this judgement call to influence a game they better again tread carefully. The average NFL fan is not blind. They pick up on these things quickly and will turn in a heartbeat if they think the product is being tampered with.

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You can bet your bottom dollar we'll be seeing otherwise good games decided this season on phantom illegal contact/PI calls.

Boston Boxer said:

the NFL saw how the Seahawks handled the Broncos with ease and decided to change the emphasis. Well done Manning family...the NFL is becoming a joke with these emphasis rules.

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Every Peyton Manning failure has been an additional rule in favor of the offense.

There was pretty much a flag on every play today...worrisome to say the least.

Yup...it's been the MFL since 2005...and still the Moonhead Menace can't win a Bowl without all kinds of ref help, stacked offense and backing of the mainstream sporting press running interference .

Patriot Missile said:

The average NFL fan is not blind. They pick up on these things quickly and will turn in a heartbeat if they think the product is being tampered with.

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The product is being tampered with every year now. Pretty soon it will resemble arena football. It is starting to be a real turn off for me. At the rate it's going I doubt I'll be watching in five years. Of course at the advanced age of 60 the question may be out of my hands.

ThatllMoveTheChains!!! said:

I, for one, welcome our new penalty flag overlords.

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???

What will the league be like in 5 years? Flag football! yay

Yet another reason why I despise the entire Manning family, including parents, with every fiber
of my being.

If today's practice is a harbinger of things to come...wtf

This is just sad. On the bright side, I might actually have a chance to make it in this new league. I'm a small guy and won't have to flop to get penalties. If pushed, 7/10x I will go flying and consistently draw flags.

My celebration for achieving these first downs would be a bow to the ref. I would be real obnoxious with it too in a way similar to the way Santonio Holmes signals a first down.

The thing I don't get is they are going to be throwing flags like crazy to make it an offensive game, but all it does open more opportunities for games to be decided on phantom or ticky-tack PI calls. There were already too many questionable PI calls impacted games last year. There should be exponentially more this year.

If I was an OC, any third and very long not in field goal range I would send all my receivers down the field and have my QB air it out. Odds are good to draw a PI call if they truly are going to crack down. Worst thing that probably happens is an INT that would be like a punt.

If the league is going to throw a lot of flags for PI, they need to adopt the college rules. I mean how is a play where an offense picks up 30 yards on a phantom PI call on 3rd and 8 on a drive at the end of the game with the team on offense being down by a TD or less better than aggressive defense shutting down that play? I guess the college rules wouldn't stop the the third down conversion, but it would only net the offense 15 yards.

if they don't find a way to get Peyton that final SB ring, and cement his legacy, I'm gonna be disappointed

I said it the other day and I think the they should do it. DEFENSIVE PLAYERS should go on strike. The league has given the offenses an unfair competitive advantage. I freakin HATE IT. Yes I want to see scoring, but I also want to see good defense. What the hell is the point of playing offense against a defense that can't do anything to stop it? This is stupid...and if the golden boy is the reason for this point of emphasis...then Peyton, F... YOU. I can't wait for this guy to retire.

Since this is how it's going to be, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT BB cut the crap and establish a DOMINANT PASS RUSH. At least put the QB on his back side. That will slow down any passing game...and if the QB can run, the minute he leaves the pocket, TAKE HIS HEAD OFF. If the guy wants to be a running back then treat him like one. This is so aggravating.

james87654 said:

if they don't find a way to get Peyton that final SB ring, and cement his legacy, I'm gonna be disappointed

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If he does win another ring, heaven forbid, his Hall of Fame bust in Canton should have a big * on its forehead.

In a weird way, these new rules could also lead to injuries. If corners and safeties have to play off, they'll close hard. if they can't get a tip on the ball, they'll smack the receiver instead.

This really is a Manning Rule. And it's ridiculous. The rules they've put in for safety are one thing, but this does nothing but ensure yellow all over the field.

Tunescribe said:

???

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He is kidding. It is a joke, the kind of thing you say when you are powerless to prevent a brutal invasion.

Eh, now it is no longer funny because I explained it.