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

[Bluestang]

I want to see how it's called in the regular season. They could be over officiating it in the preseason to make a point.

But that's my point, they want the players and coaches to adapt and back off, however, these 2nd week preseason games indicate that teams aren't backing down.

 

[Risen Star]

But that's my point, they want the players and coaches to adapt and back off, however, these 2nd week preseason games indicate that teams aren't backing down.

At the end of the day, I don't care how it's called in the preseason. If it continues into the games that matter then I'll care.

 

[Risen Star]

As a Cowboys fan, we should welcome teams not being able to play defense. It would help to level the playing field for us.

 

[ringmaster]

That's one thing I was hinting at earlier in the thread. It's change just for the sake of change.

Offenses are scoring at historically high levels. Defenses are historically bad across the league. There is no reason to put even further emphasis on deterring defenders.

It's blatant backlash and knee-jerk to what the Seahawks did to the Broncos in the Superbowl. They took the leagues cash cow and made it utterly unwatchable (for offense junkies--which most casual fans are).

The post of this entire thread good job Tex.

 

[ConstantReboot]

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.

Love your post! I was actually thinking how this will change the NFL drastically and not really for the betterment of the sport. However, that statement on "offense sells tickets, but defense wins games" will have to be rewritten because of the rule. It should say "Refs decides who wins games. Defense is a penalty waiting to happen and is nothing more than a liability."

I believe that this ruling Refs are going to be the determining factor on who wins or who loses come Sunday.

 

[ghst187]

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

yep!
also, those Sherman and Peterson contracts look pretty silly now. If they can't touch anyone, they and Revis are largely very very average DBs.
Despite being a passing league, these rules may make the CB position less a premium position.

 

[Alexander]

 

[DFWJC]

From what I understand, the rules are the same but the enforcement of existing rules is more strict..

This was coming but you can thank Seattle's all hands mugging defense for sending it over the top.. They took the approach they'll hold you all day until the refs call it and even then they know they'll only call it but so much.