Defense officially outlawed in the NFL it appears

[erod]

I watched a lot of football last night, and every game, referees were throwing defensive contact and holding flags over the slightest of touches. I mean, over nothing.

I know it's a "point of emphasis". And I know this is a reaction to what Seattle did last year, which was to just foul so much the referees would feel guilty about throwing flags on every play.

But honestly, if this is the way it's going to be called, why spend a dollar on defense? The NFL is rolling out the red carpet for offenses to the end zone. What's the point of attempting defense? Why not hit the quarterback late every play until you've sidelined the entire stable of them? That might give the defense a chance in the second half.

The league was far too high-scoring last year. Every game was in the 38-34 range it seemed. Now it'll be in the 45-41 range.

It's like Mountain West football now.

 

[cowboyeric8]

Yeah in the few games I've gotten to watch I saw the same thing. Flag happy refs, the DBs can't even touch a receiver anymore. I'm really starting to dislike what this league is turning in to.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Spending this year playing
Mountain West Football,
Now Ref says we can't tackle

(sing it to rocky mountain way by Mr Joe Walsh)

 

[TellerMorrow34]

There did seem to be a whole lot of flags being thrown but it's the first week of preseason and I'm thinking the refs will get better as it goes. Now they're still going to be terrible, as they always are, but they should get better.

 

[Jenky]

I watched a lot of football last night, and every game, referees were throwing defensive contact and holding flags over the slightest of touches. I mean, over nothing.

I know it's a "point of emphasis". And I know this is a reaction to what Seattle did last year, which was to just foul so much the referees would feel guilty about throwing flags on every play.

But honestly, if this is the way it's going to be called, why spend a dollar on defense? The NFL is rolling out the red carpet for offenses to the end zone. What's the point of attempting defense? Why not hit the quarterback late every play until you've sidelined the entire stable of them? That might give the defense a chance in the second half.

The league was far too high-scoring last year. Every game was in the 38-34 range it seemed. Now it'll be in the 45-41 range.

It's like Mountain West football now.

You'll see big name players not get called for it too.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The league is turning each game into seeing who out can outscore the other. Offense sells tickets.

 

[JonJon]

You'll see big name players not get called for it too.

Dez won't get the calls either.

 

[DoctorChicken]

The league is turning each game into seeing who out can outscore the other. Offense sells tickets.

Well, we may be able to do that.

 

[erod]

The league is turning each game into seeing who out can outscore the other. Offense sells tickets.

Not to real football fans, it doesn't. They're going to lose the rest of us.

 

[erod]

This makes it REALLY easy to fix games, too.

 

[KingLerxst]

Spending this year playing
Mountain West Football,
Now Ref says we can't tackle

(sing it to rocky mountain way by Mr Joe Walsh)

Now we all need the whiners,crying cause the scores too high.
Uh huh.
Is the Roger Goddall way
Better than the way we had?

 

[DallasEast]

The tipping point?

1993.

The event?

The ratification of the NFL collective bargaining agreement, greater free agency and formal salary cap.

Consequence?

Greater leaguewide parity.

By-product?

Increased appeal for the sport attracts more fans and enormous influx of revenue.

Significance?

A 10-figure money-making monstrosity headed confidently into 11-figure territory.

Detriments to profit?

Lawsuits, etc.

Measures to protect current and future wealth?

Make the product as safe as possible to insure manageable growth.



Over time, the rules are going to get worse for football purists.



Don't look at me. I've been talking about that CBA and what it would do and has done to the NFL for over two decades. Dang it. Time flies.

 

[xwalker]

I watched a lot of football last night, and every game, referees were throwing defensive contact and holding flags over the slightest of touches. I mean, over nothing.

I know it's a "point of emphasis". And I know this is a reaction to what Seattle did last year, which was to just foul so much the referees would feel guilty about throwing flags on every play.

But honestly, if this is the way it's going to be called, why spend a dollar on defense? The NFL is rolling out the red carpet for offenses to the end zone. What's the point of attempting defense? Why not hit the quarterback late every play until you've sidelined the entire stable of them? That might give the defense a chance in the second half.

The league was far too high-scoring last year. Every game was in the 38-34 range it seemed. Now it'll be in the 45-41 range.

It's like Mountain West football now.

The refs always go overboard on points-of-emphasis in the preseason.

 

[erod]

The refs always go overboard on points-of-emphasis in the preseason.

Last year was already overboard.

A touchdown is like holding serve in tennis. It's no big deal anymore.

 

[cowboyblue22]

its almost arena league and will soon be

 

[Zimmy Lives]

I watched a lot of football last night, and every game, referees were throwing defensive contact and holding flags over the slightest of touches. I mean, over nothing.

It is the league's way of ensuring that the Seahawks do not repeat this season.

 

[Nightman]

This why the D should focus on turnovers and sacks. I hate giving up long, time consuming drives. It just means our O doesn't have the ball. Play Man, attack the QB and don't worry about the penalties.

 

[erod]

It is the league's way of ensuring that the Seahawks do not repeat this season.

There is some of that. Seattle fouled on every stinking play on purpose, and the psychology worked. Refs started swallowing their flags after a while and let it get way too physical.

But this isn't the answer.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

There is some of that. Seattle fouled on every stinking play on purpose, and the psychology worked. Refs started swallowing their flags after a while and let it get way too physical.

But this isn't the answer.

You're right but I don't think they have any other ideas. It is, after all, a QB-driven industry and people want to see teams throw the ball.

 

[Future]

Not to real football fans, it doesn't. They're going to lose the rest of us.

I'm thinking that, somewhere down the line, the NFL realized that the "masses" is larger than true football fans and that they'd cater to them at the risk of alienating those who, you know, appreciate a good defense.