Jason Whitlock: Make Offensive Holding legal.

[Tony2046]

I love this idea but not because it would make it tougher for the defense to get to the QB, which it would, but because it would also reduce the ability of a Referee to impact the outcome of a game. Offensive Holding is by far the most called penalty in the NFL but, imo, it is also the penalty that is the most subjective when trying to determine if it is being called or not called equivalently between the two teams on the field and on a consistent basis week to week. (Offensive Holding - 334 , False Start - 263, Def PI - 130)

So if it's true that OH could be called on most every play but isn't which leads to subjective Refereeing, why not make it legal?

EDIT: As in the video I am only referring to the Offensive line. Not WR's etc....




List of all penalties during the 2016 season: Data By Penalties For 2016 - NFL Penalty Stats Tracker - List/Statistics/Data of NFL Penalties - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

List of all penalties during the 2015 season: Data By Penalties For 2015 - NFL Penalty Stats Tracker - List/Statistics/Data of NFL Penalties - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

 

[Kontradiction]

While we're at it, we should just take defenses off the field altogether.

 

[ThatllMoveTheChains!!!]

Honestly the league shouldn't do anything until they have competent leadership. Leave the game alone until the clown show is shown the door.

 

[TennisBallHead]

Does Jason Wilcox realize how easy it would be to stop the defense if you could just hold them every play? Awful idea.

 

[aluminum seats]

Does Jason Wilcox realize how easy it would be to stop the defense if you could just hold them every play? Awful idea.

Comically awful… Is that a joke? Seriously. If you could hold you could literally hold onto a guy's arm or whatever and just sit there for an hour.

Do I have to go see if he was kidding? No, forget it, I refuse.

 

[mosslost]

I love this idea but not because it would make it tougher for the defense to get to the QB, which it would, but because it would also reduce the ability of a Referee to impact the outcome of a game. Offensive Holding is by far the most called penalty in the NFL but, imo, it is also the penalty that is the most subjective when trying to determine if it is being called or not called equivalently between the two teams on the field and on a consistent basis week to week. (Offensive Holding - 334 , False Start - 263, Def PI - 130)

So if it's true that OH could be called on most every play but isn't which leads to subjective Refereeing, why not make it legal?




List of all penalties during the 2016 season: Data By Penalties For 2016 - NFL Penalty Stats Tracker - List/Statistics/Data of NFL Penalties - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

List of all penalties during the 2015 season: Data By Penalties For 2015 - NFL Penalty Stats Tracker - List/Statistics/Data of NFL Penalties - 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

I lean toward a lot of rule changes. The penalties to reduce head injuries are almost the only ones I want to keep. ALL PI should have to be blatant. Defensive backs should be able to have a hand on their guy (receiver) as long as you are not ravaging them. (similar to basketball defense)

The aethestics of the game really sucks now. Ty Law was awesome, he checked his receivers, it was clean, it was not cheating or dangerous. Raymond Clayborn was the same. They would all struggle if you cannot even have a hand on a guy at all when you are trying to cover him. Offense and Defensive PI should have to be blatant. Timing routes and all that are beautiful, I admit that, however old time football guys got open or out ran someone and QBs chucked it to them. And teams ran the ball. The average reception in the Grogan era was 20 yards plus.

All that said, all out Offensive Holding would be nuts. What about tackling the defender as he comes through?

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Without a doubt, defensive pass interference should be a 10 yard penalty.

 

[Deus Irae]

Whitlock must be feeling irrelevant again. That's usually when he spouts the most nonsense, and this qualifies.

 

[Raymond]

I think this could help some mediocre QB's succeed.

 

[gobesmug]

I think this could help some mediocre QB's succeed.

I think this is the OP point. Offensive holding happens almost every play as is. It's just up to the ref whether they call it or not. The game has been ruined by the arbitrary calling of holding penalties. I hate the fact that every big play the pats make I have to wait to see if a flag was thrown before I can celebrate.

Whitlock just wants more offense which is dumb. Changing the rules just to benefit the offense ruins the game. Changing the rules to prevent refs from making such a huge impact I can get behind. I wouldn't hate seeing it tested in preseason to see if makes any impact on the game.

 

[Tony2046]

Comically awful… Is that a joke? Seriously. If you could hold you could literally hold onto a guy's arm or whatever and just sit there for an hour.

Do I have to go see if he was kidding? No, forget it, I refuse.

No I wasn't kidding. I understand the cons. I also know it's the most called penalty year after year and it is frustrating to watch a holding penalty called on a player that had little to no impact on a TD run which is subsequently called back.

It is also a penalty that can and sometimes does tip the scales in a game.

So yes it would make it tougher for the defense to get to the QB but it would also take the game out of the referee's hands.

 

[Deus Irae]

I think this is the OP point. Offensive holding happens almost every play as is. It's just up to the ref whether they call it or not. The game has been ruined by the arbitrary calling of holding penalties. I hate the fact that every big play the pats make I have to wait to see if a flag was thrown before I can celebrate.

Whitlock just wants more offense which is dumb. Changing the rules just to benefit the offense ruins the game. Changing the rules to prevent refs from making such a huge impact I can get behind. I wouldn't hate seeing it tested in preseason to see if makes any impact on the game.

If holding is made legal, I'm going pro. I'm past playing age, and I haven't been in football shape for over a decade, but I could be a shut down LT, if they'd let me hold on every play.

Then again, pretty much anyone who weighs more than 200 pounds could be a shutdown LT, if they were allowed to hold on every play.

 

[The Gr8est]

Does Jason Wilcox realize how easy it would be to stop the defense if you could just hold them every play? Awful idea.

Then call it consistently, or don't call it at all.

 

[JayNM]

If this was to become a rule, might as well drop 11 in cover, there wont be other way to stop an attack.

Stupid comment IMO

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

I think this could help some mediocre QB's succeed.

Did you really have to remind me of this???

Seeing @Tony2046 post Brock Assweiler beating us on a non-call was bad enough lol

 

[CISGS]

Offensive holding rarely impacts the outcome of the game. Very rarely.

Spot fouls impact way more (pass interference).

 

[Wheelman]

If they made this rule change, defenders should be allowed to wear grab proof jersey/equipment and wear vaseline or something else all over their body and let them play. Hands to the face contact is immediately a 15 yard penalty.

That way you'd get what you're looking for, taking it out of the refs hands.

 

[aluminum seats]

No I wasn't kidding. I understand the cons. I also know it's the most called penalty year after year and it is frustrating to watch a holding penalty called on a player that had little to no impact on a TD run which is subsequently called back.

It is also a penalty that can and sometimes does tip the scales in a game.

So yes it would make it tougher for the defense to get to the QB but it would also take the game out of the referee's hands.

I wasn't referring to you, Tony, but the guy who made the suggestion.

It's dopey of you to agree, but as brothers in arms here I would've phrased it differently if directed at you specifically.

 

[oldrover]

If the refs called just blatant holds... i.e. close to or actual wrap-around tackles/takedowns... that could solve the problem. A few rules, strictly enforced. For the love of God, just let them play football.

 

[Tony2046]

I wasn't referring to you, Tony, but the guy who made the suggestion.

It's dopey of you to agree, but as brothers in arms here I would've phrased it differently if directed at you specifically.

No problem. I'm in it for the discussion either way. I wanted to see both sides of the issue because it's something that has bothered me for awhile.