NFL comp. comm. recommendation to owners: Umpire behind offense

[Box_O_Rocks]

Bob Glauber (BobGlauber) on Twitter

WRs have also purposely used umpires on "pick" plays. I've even had DBs tell me they try to hide behind umpire.
about 1 hours ago via TweetDeck
Umpire would stand opposite the referee under proposed plan. Umpires have been getting hit more by WRs, LBs and DBs in recent yrs.
about 1 hours ago via TweetDeck
The NFL comp. comm. will make a recommendation at owners meetings to have umpire stand on offensive side of the ball (more) ...
about 1 hours ago via TweetDeck

 

[Sicilian]

And this comes out shortly after someone says Welker often uses the umpire as a pick...

Probably just coincidence.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

And this comes out shortly after someone says Welker often uses the umpire as a pick...

Probably just coincidence.

They've been working on this move for several seasons, it was field tested in NFLE before NE even landed Welker.

 

[Sicilian]

They've been working on this move for several seasons, it was field tested in NFLE before NE even landed Welker.

Ah, I apologize then. Just struck me as odd given a recent thread about the subject

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Ah, I apologize then. Just struck me as odd given a recent thread about the subject

We all have reason to be paranoid when it comes to that committee. :enranged:

 

[Brady2Welker]

IIRC, picking as a WR on an ump has been utilized since the west coast system was developed.

 

[dhamz]

IIRC, picking as a WR on an ump has been utilized since the west coast system was developed.

You do recall correctly. Bill Walsh was probably not the first to ever use the umpire as a way to pick DBs but he certainly was the first to make it a widely used strategy.

 

[signbabybrady]

The big problem with this IMO would be that it takes the umpire further away from the action. In defensive backfield they are right in the middle of it (sure getting in the way sometimes) but in the offensive backfield they would be at least 10 yards further away maybe even further depending on where they stand (now they only time they would get in the way would be a fumble or turnover). Seems to me getting the calls right should be more important than getting rid of picks plays which all teams can run. Unless we are talking about protecting the umps from getting hurt in the middle of the field.

 

[emoney_33]

The big problem with this IMO would be that it takes the umpire further away from the action. In defensive backfield they are right in the middle of it (sure getting in the way sometimes) but in the offensive backfield they would be at least 10 yards further away maybe even further depending on where they stand (now they only time they would get in the way would be a fumble or turnover). Seems to me getting the calls right should be more important than getting rid of picks plays which all teams can run. Unless we are talking about protecting the umps from getting hurt in the middle of the field.

I think it's really more about protecting the umps than it is getting rid of pick plays. The point for throwing in the usage of the pick play is that it puts more traffic around the ump, thus increasing his chances of getting hit/hurt.

 

[cavtroop]

Maybe if we had younger, more in shape refs (that were fulltime), this wouldn't be an issue?