New Illegal Contact Rules Are Going to Change the Defenses League Wide

[Bluestang]

I've been watching all the preseason games I can and the new rules are creating a huge disadvantage for the defense. I'm almost certain that it will be difficult to even play any sort of type of press man because officials are calling penalties left and right even if the play is legal it seems.

Take this for example:


This particular play was called for an illegal contact, and the very next play was a TD from SD's offense. The interception was originally taken back 105 yds for a defensive score too. The ball was under thrown and based on the positioning of the DB, the WR wasn't going to win on the route. This is a textbook press man coverage to position yourself with inside leverage and go after the ball. No coach in the NFL is going to tell you that you played this wrong in the film room.

I understand that this is preseason, but these new rules - all in the name of player safety btw - are going to make the defense's job pretty difficult to stop the offense. The NE/Philly game had numerous drives that were saved from a 3 and out due to illegal contact penalties because it is an automatic 5 yd penalty with a 1st down.

Which brings me to the point of my post, I think we are all pretty concerned with the defense but if the officials are going to call this type of game then it might just come down to who has the better offense on game day. I think we will see more games that are just going to be offensive shootouts vs defensive battles. Defenses are going to be less of a factor if they can't get physical with the skill position players to disrupt routes and timing to get a pass rush. The old saying that "Offense sells tickets, but defense wins the game" may not hold true anymore if the NFL continues down this road. I absolutely hate where the game is headed right now with these rules, and the competition committee needs to re-evaluate this point of emphasis because the offense is getting too many advantages.

 

[CCBoy]

True, but when all is said, and done...good teams will still achieve an advantage league wide as well as success against other team's offenses. Funny how competition remains the same in the end.

 

[TheCount]

True, but when all is said, and done...good teams will still achieve an advantage league wide as well as success against other team's offenses. Funny how competition remains the same in the end.

Good offenses, you mean.

 

[xwalker]

I've been watching all the preseason games I can and the new rules are creating a huge disadvantage for the defense. I'm almost certain that it will be difficult to even play any sort of type of press man because officials are calling penalties left and right even if the play is legal it seems.

Take this for example:


This particular play was called for an illegal contact, and the very next play was a TD from SD's offense. The interception was originally taken back 105 yds for a defensive score too. The ball was under thrown and based on the positioning of the DB, the WR wasn't going to win on the route. This is a textbook press man coverage to position yourself with inside leverage and go after the ball. No coach in the NFL is going to tell you that you played this wrong in the film room.

I understand that this is preseason, but these new rules - all in the name of player safety btw - are going to make the defense's job pretty difficult to stop the offense. The NE/Philly game had numerous drives that were saved from a 3 and out due to illegal contact penalties because it is an automatic 5 yd penalty with a 1st down.

Which brings me to the point of my post, I think we are all pretty concerned with the defense but if the officials are going to call this type of game then it might just come down to who has the better offense on game day. I think we will see more games that are just going to be offensive shootouts vs defensive battles. Defenses are going to be less of a factor if they can't get physical with the skill position players to disrupt routes and timing to get a pass rush. The old saying that "Offense sells tickets, but defense wins the game" may not hold true anymore if the NFL continues down this road. I absolutely hate where the game is headed right now with these rules, and the competition committee needs to re-evaluate this point of emphasis because the offense is getting too many advantages.

In the past when they've had points of emphasis, they go overboard calling it in the preseason. They will likely back-off somewhat when the season starts and more as the season progresses towards the play offs. The NFL is often called a copycat league and they didn't want team to start emulating the Seahawks style of play.

Having said that, if you have the choice between a good offense and a bad defense or a bad offense and good defense, I think you always pick good offense in the modern era of the NFL.

 

[TheCount]

In the past when they've had points of emphasis, they go overboard calling it in the preseason. They will likely back-off somewhat when the season starts and more as the season progresses towards the play offs. The NFL is often called a copycat league and they didn't want team to start emulating the Seahawks style of play.

Having said that, if you have the choice between a good offense and a bad defense or a bad offense and good defense, I think you always pick good offense in the modern era of the NFL.

I think the refs do it on purpose as a form of protest.

 

[Reality]

So what they're saying is, "If Dallas can't improve their defense, we'll downgrade everyone else's defense to match theirs."

 

[texbumthelife]

This will never stick through the regular season. They're taking way way too much heat. It's just an opportunity for refs to make themselves feel relevant and show the players they still have the ability to exert control over a game at any point.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

This will never stick through the regular season. They're taking way way too much heat. It's just an opportunity for refs to make themselves feel relevant and show the players they still have the ability to exert control over a game at any point.

Don't agree about the refs -- they're just following orders from the bozos they work for who want more offense.

The one hope I have is what you said about their taking heat. Literally EVERY radio and TV commentator I've heard this preseason has given these calls a huge thumbs down. Even Curt Menafee who of course hosts the Fox studio show was complaining last night. I don't remember such universal complaining on any other previous rules emphasis change.

If nothing else, it's making the games last longer. And of course the NFL has to stay within those TV windows

 

[Nirvana]

The amount of flags has been the joke of preseason and it actually is a threat to the league, as fans like myself are fed up with the interjections constantly interrupting the game flow. They will back off this bs as in the end it's about ratings, and this is a poor show.

 

[CCBoy]

Good offenses, you mean.

Football is still a team sport...and both sides of the ball affects the other in plan, and in execution. No, I stated it correctly. The good offenses will be dealt with as well. Some teams better than others. I was a linebacker, and a proud one. That isn't dead no matter scorn that may develop.

 

[texbumthelife]

Don't agree about the refs -- they're just following orders from the bozos they work for who want more offense.

The one hope I have is what you said about their taking heat. Literally EVERY radio and TV commentator I've heard this preseason has given these calls a huge thumbs down. Even Curt Menafee who of course hosts the Fox studio show was complaining last night. I don't remember such universal complaining on any other previous rules emphasis change.

If nothing else, it's making the games last longer when the NFL has tried to speed up the game in the past. Got to stay within those TV windows, of course.

These calls are all subjective. The refs were told to emphasize calling them. What that does is reinforce the subjectiveness of the refs and, along with the current spotlight on illegal contact between DBs and WRs, it is a reminder to players of just how much influence the refs can have.

If you think the refs aren't absolutely eating this up and jumping at the chance to flex their power, you gotta be crazy. The competition committee (I believe) comes up with these points of emphasis in conjunction with the refs. They don't just decide what the refs need to do and pass it along.

 

[Proximo]

In the past when they've had points of emphasis, they go overboard calling it in the preseason. They will likely back-off somewhat when the season starts and more as the season progresses towards the play offs. The NFL is often called a copycat league and they didn't want team to start emulating the Seahawks style of play.

I think this hits the nail on the head. All these preseason flags are aimed at being more of a deterrent than anything. Trying to set a precedent, but then they'll let these guys "play the game" a little more once the season starts and things matter.

 

[CCBoy]

So what they're saying is, "If Dallas can't improve their defense, we'll downgrade everyone else's defense to match theirs."

I posted a revealing OP by Sturm that addresses issue a little broader...

 

[CCBoy]

Don't agree about the refs -- they're just following orders from the bozos they work for who want more offense.

The one hope I have is what you said about their taking heat. Literally EVERY radio and TV commentator I've heard this preseason has given these calls a huge thumbs down. Even Curt Menafee who of course hosts the Fox studio show was complaining last night. I don't remember such universal complaining on any other previous rules emphasis change.

If nothing else, it's making the games last longer. And of course the NFL has to stay within those TV windows

Nice snap shot, Lab.

 

[Nirvana]

They were interviewing a Seahawks player last night (Thomas) and he said these new rules were the anti-LOB rules specifically made to counter their style of play. He actually made sense.

 

[CCBoy]

I think this hits the nail on the head. All these preseason flags are aimed at being more of a deterrent than anything. Trying to set a precedent, but then they'll let these guys "play the game" a little more once the season starts and things matter.

Things are in transition as well, on the referee side of things as well. And the running of their group still hasn't attained a full professional status or Union strength in negotiations.

 

[CCBoy]

They were interviewing a Seahawks player last night (Thomas) and he said these new rules were the anti-LOB rules specifically made to counter their style of play. He actually made sense.

Lol, and welcome to what has long been the Cowboys burden in play. Get good, and the league will make a rule to hamper your style of success. Sometimes it does appear in that manner.

 

[12+88=7]

There was an interference call on Brandon Flowers in the end zone in this game also that was quite questionable.

I don't like the new penalties. They have to let the defense play.

 

[TheCount]

Football is still a team sport...and both sides of the ball affects the other in plan, and in execution. No, I stated it correctly. The good offenses will be dealt with as well. Some teams better than others. I was a linebacker, and a proud one. That isn't dead no matter scorn that may develop.

It was a joke.

I don't think the rule emphasis is sustainable, not with the way they've been calling it.

 

[JBS]

This league is getting worse and worse every year.. Its ridiculous what they've done to this game