Idle thoughts - the "mental toughness" edition

[Kdo5]

Gronk took a real solid hit on his left thigh and hip that had him limping off early. That play may have been a result of that hit. He didn't seem to be able to push off of his left side.

The play where Gronk just got out muscled by a much smaller player was alarming. Gronk of pre-2018 always makes that first down. I've tried to be optimistic that he'd be a different player upon his return to action. After seeing that play and the rest of the game I'm left feeling like Gronk might just be done. Depressing to watch.

 

[supafly]

IIRC from preseason threads, that's the rule now: move the ball up to the next full yard marker.

Really? That seems pretty odd. Sad if true. No wonder the totals are going over at an alarming pace.

 

[supafly]

Gronk took a real solid hit on his left thigh and hip that had him limping off early. That play may have been a result of that hit. He didn't seem to be able to push off of his left side.

Hoping you’re right and that it wasn’t the back, which can cause the same type of weakness in that area.

 

[BTTA]

Really? That seems pretty odd. Sad if true. No wonder the totals are going over at an alarming pace.

First, it's not a rule. Second, it's not quite that simple.

Sometime in the last 5 or so years the refs realized they could save a lot of time determining first downs if the line to gain is on a yard line as much as possible. Think about it -- you look at where you mark the ball dead, and if the nose of the ball is at or over the appropriate edge of the yard line you immediately know it's a first down without having to waste time bringing out the chains.

So say a team gets possession at their own 23.2 yard line. The refs will actually mark the ball at the 23, making the line to gain the 33. The downs within the series will get true spots. So if on first down there's a run to the 28.6, the ball will be left at the 28.6. But once a first down is achieved they'll move it to an exact yard line again. So it's 2nd down at the 28.6 and the result of a play is a reception to the 37.5 for a first down. The refs will mark the ball at the 38 and set the line to gain at the 48.

They will generally only do this outside the 20s. And they don't always do it. There was at least one series yesterday out near midfield where I noticed the line to gain was in between yard lines.

 

[captain stone]

Ironic that Pats stars cost them 2 offensive series, ramping up the degree of difficulty for the D.
Squirrel drop on 3rd down, and uncharacteristic lack of effort by Gronk on what clearly was not a 1st down but should have been.

First, it's not a rule. Second, it's not quite that simple.

Sometime in the last 5 or so years the refs realized they could save a lot of time determining first downs if the line to gain is on a yard line as much as possible. Think about it -- you look at where you mark the ball dead, and if the nose of the ball is at or over the appropriate edge of the yard line you immediately know it's a first down without having to waste time bringing out the chains.

So say a team gets possession at their own 23.2 yard line. The refs will actually mark the ball at the 23, making the line to gain the 33. The downs within the series will get true spots. So if on first down there's a run to the 28.6, the ball will be left at the 28.6. But once a first down is achieved they'll move it to an exact yard line again. So it's 2nd down at the 28.6 and the result of a play is a reception to the 37.5 for a first down. The refs will mark the ball at the 38 and set the line to gain at the 48.

They will generally only do this outside the 20s. And they don't always do it. There was at least one series yesterday out near midfield where I noticed the line to gain was in between yard lines.

There really needs to be a practical way to mechanize the entire spotting process, because the incompetent, easily-influenced zebras are doing a Horrible job of it right now.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

The play where Gronk just got out muscled by a much smaller player was alarming. Gronk of pre-2018 always makes that first down. I've tried to be optimistic that he'd be a different player upon his return to action. After seeing that play and the rest of the game I'm left feeling like Gronk might just be done. Depressing to watch.

I think his back is acting up, now if it doesnt get better he may be done but it might get better in which case he wouldn't be done.