News: PFT: Blindside block foul called against the Saints was proper application of horrendous rule

[WoodysGirl]

The foul wiped out an 11-yard gain and resulted in an 11-yard penalty, a 22-yard swing that put the Saints at first and 21.

Three plays later, the Saints punted. Four plays later, Cowboys running back Tony Pollard went 58 yards for a touchdown. And it was then 20-10 and the lights were almost entirely out.

Troy Aikman of Fox immediately described it is a “terrible call.” The NFL has kept its head low and its mouth shut about it.

But that’s the rule, bad as it may be. Check out our story from the preseason of the first year in which the rule was put on the books. As we explained at the time, the inaccurately-labeled rule “doesn’t carve out situations where the opponent sees the hit coming,” and “it prohibits a blocker from blocking with his helmet, forearm, or shoulder while moving in any direction other than toward the opponent’s end line.”

It’s just a bad rule. It’s a rule created by non-football people looking for ways to reduce the number of big hits in a given game, potentially as part of the broader quest to finish the push for 17 games and to commence the effort to expand to 18.

Read the rest: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...ts-was-proper-application-of-horrendous-rule/

 

[Ranching]

The foul wiped out an 11-yard gain and resulted in an 11-yard penalty, a 22-yard swing that put the Saints at first and 21.

Three plays later, the Saints punted. Four plays later, Cowboys running back Tony Pollard went 58 yards for a touchdown. And it was then 20-10 and the lights were almost entirely out.

Troy Aikman of Fox immediately described it is a “terrible call.” The NFL has kept its head low and its mouth shut about it.

But that’s the rule, bad as it may be. Check out our story from the preseason of the first year in which the rule was put on the books. As we explained at the time, the inaccurately-labeled rule “doesn’t carve out situations where the opponent sees the hit coming,” and “it prohibits a blocker from blocking with his helmet, forearm, or shoulder while moving in any direction other than toward the opponent’s end line.”

It’s just a bad rule. It’s a rule created by non-football people looking for ways to reduce the number of big hits in a given game, potentially as part of the broader quest to finish the push for 17 games and to commence the effort to expand to 18.

Read the rest: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...ts-was-proper-application-of-horrendous-rule/

Yup....it was put in a couple of years ago.....education is a good thing....

 

[BAT]

The rule was put in place to limit hits from parallel or behind the player to mitigate concussions.

These type of hits usually occur in kicking game.

I would not call it a bad rule, especially as it applies to helmet to helmet hits.

Or forearm to helmet hits.

It is essentially a sucker punch on the football field.

 

[Oz-of-Cowboy-Country]

This dumb league is a joke.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

As predicted, our fans are all “yesssiir, that was the proper call!!!”

We’d be on page 33 of a whinefest had that same play been called against the Cowboys.

See the blocked punt and fumble recovery in the Broncos game if you want proof.

 

[John813]

Boy, this is brutal. Sure, the rule may be written in that way but I think it's dumb as hell

 

[glimmerman]

When was that rule out in place. I remember Sean Lee was laid out by a WR but was on a ST play. No flag then..

 

[BAT]

Boy, this is brutal. Sure, the rule may be written in that way but I think it's dumb as hell

This not an example of what happened last night.

 

[BAT]

When was that rule out in place. I remember Sean Lee was laid out by a WR but was on a ST play. No flag then..

2019

 

[John813]

This not an example of what happened last night.

Still was called for a blindside block. Same "penalty" called last night.

Neither are blindside blocks to me.

 

[TX_Yid]

That stupid punt rule, correctly applied to give the Broncos possession a few weeks back, went against us. This one went for us.

As it ever was. I'm not crying for the Saints that their stupid foul was called.

 

[john van brocklin]

As predicted, our fans are all “yesssiir, that was the proper call!!!”

We’d be on page 33 of a whinefest had that same play been called against the Cowboys.

See the blocked punt and fumble recovery in the Broncos game if you want proof.

 

[Ranching]

The rule was put in place to limit hits from parallel or behind the player to mitigate concussions.

These type of hits usually occur in kicking game.

I would not call it a bad rule, especially as it applies to helmet to helmet hits.

Or forearm to helmet hits.

It is essentially a sucker punch on the football field.

The only bad thing I see is that it's called in the tackle box.....that's basically a mosh pit and contact should be expected from every angle.

 

[speedkilz88]

Looked like it should be called a block in the back. Both hands were on the numbers.

 

[BAT]

Still was called for a blindside block. Same "penalty" called last night.

Neither are blindside blocks to me.

If player being hit cannot see you within periphery of vision, then blindside block.

Especially if hit is with helmet to helmet (should be automatic penalty anyway) or forearm to helmet.

Kearse was struck by FB helmet to back of his helmet.

 

[4lifecowboy]

When was that rule out in place. I remember Sean Lee was laid out by a WR but was on a ST play. No flag then..

I believe that hit is the reason why the rule exist

 

[BAT]

Looked like it should be called a block in the back. Both hands were on the numbers.

And helmet to helmet.

That strike is reason why it's not block in back penalty.

 

[BAT]

The only bad thing I see is that it's called in the tackle box.....that's basically a mosh pit and contact should be expected from every angle.

Except to below the knees or when player is already engaged by another blocker?

Blocks in back are also called in between the tackles amirite?

 

[gimmesix]

The rule was put in place to limit hits from parallel or behind the player to mitigate concussions.

These type of hits usually occur in kicking game.

I would not call it a bad rule, especially as it applies to helmet to helmet hits.

Or forearm to helmet hits.

It is essentially a sucker punch on the football field.

I agree that it's not a bad rule. The league just needs to work on when and how it should be enforced.

 

[Brooksey]

One of the worst calls I've ever saw