In preparing for the AFC playoff game, Seahawks coach Chuck Knox and his staff looked for ways to stop Cincinnati's hurry-up offense...
The Seahawks countered that strategy by feigning an injury, with Joe Nash and backup nose tackle Ken Clarke called upon to be the designated casualties.
On at least six occasions, Nash stood up after the play, looked for a signal from the bench, and then crumpled to the ground, holding his knee. While an injury timeout was called and trainers huddled over Nash, Seattle's nickel defense took its place on the field to get ready for the next play.
Wyche and the Bengals vehemently protested but Seattle's strategy was within the rules.
"We were just trying to get our nickel defense on the field and when we did it, it worked," said Nash. "I did it because they asked me to. After all, they're the ones that write out the checks."
While Nash took a lot of ribbing from friends in the offseason, the NFL rules committee went to work to stop such maneuvering on both sides of the ball.
Here's an excerpt From the new NFL rule book:
"An offense is prohibited, while in the process of a substitution or a simulated substitution, from rushing quickly to the line and snapping the ball with the obvious attempt to cause a defensive foul. In such an instance, the umpire shall hold the snap, giving the defense a reasonable time to complete its substitution or, if a defensive foul results, the flag will be picked up and the down replayed.
"Any entering substitute who participates in a play must enter while the ball is dead and must move on to the field as far as the inside field numerals. In addition, the player or players replaced must have cleared the field on their own side (beyond the end lines) prior to the snap or free kick.
"Strong disciplinary measures will be enacted against feigned injuries. Such measures could even result in a fine"
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