PFT: NFL tweaks umpire positioning again

[cowboyjoe]

NFL tweaks umpire positioning again
Posted by Michael David Smith on September 7, 2010 2:05 PM ET
The NFL's decision to move the umpires from the defensive side of the field to the offensive side of the field is looking more and more like a decision made in haste, without thinking through all the ramifications. And so today -- two days before the start of the regular season -- comes word that the league has tweaked the rule again.

Today the league office sent all 32 teams a memo explaining that the umpire will now be 12 yards from the line of scrimmage, not 15 yards. In theory, that means it shouldn't take the umpire quite as long to spot the ball before each play, get back into position during the play, and then go spot the ball again as soon as the play ends.

The league also said the head linesman or line judge will signal when a snap can occur, and the quarterback can then call for the snap as soon as he sees that signal. And now umpires will move back to the old position on the defensive side of the field during the last two minutes of the first half, the last five minutes of the second half and any time a team is at or inside the defense's 5-yard line.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/09/07/nfl-tweaks-umpire-positioning-again/

 

[BaybeeJay]

Ridiculous. How can they put the refs back into a position they deemed too vulnerable?

 

[DeaconBlues]

The NFL has botched this badly, and the tweaks are making it worst.

Put the umpires back where they were. Give them helmets. Make it unsportsmanlike conduct for the WRs to run patterns off the umpires. Fine teams/coaches/offensive coaches for blatant picks.

 

[THUMPER]

We need to eliminate every rule change from the past 40 years and go back to REAL football.

It seems like every rule change made since 1970 has been to make the game safer for pansies. :bang2: :bang2: :bang2:

 

[joseephuss]

Ridiculous. How can they put the refs back into a position they deemed too vulnerable?

They are still on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[Ashwynn]

The rule about the umpire giving a signal the ball can be snapped, is that a new rule.

I dont like that.

I can see a big play being wiped out cause the ump was not ready.

 

[Picksix]

The rule about the umpire giving a signal the ball can be snapped, is that a new rule.

I dont like that.

I can see a big play being wiped out cause the ump was not ready.

No, the rule is that the head linesman or line judge will signal the QB when the ball can be snapped. So, for instance, Peyton Manning is running their hurry-up offense. Instead of looking over his shoulder to see if the umpire is in place, he looks to the sideline for the signal.

Only in the last two minutes of the first half, last five minutes of the second half, and anytime a team is inside the opponent's 5-yard line, will the ump be back in his former position and give the signal.

 

[Ashwynn]

No, the rule is that the head linesman or line judge will signal the QB when the ball can be snapped. So, for instance, Peyton Manning is running their hurry-up offense. Instead of looking over his shoulder to see if the umpire is in place, he looks to the sideline for the signal.

Only in the last two minutes of the first half, last five minutes of the second half, and anytime a team is inside the opponent's 5-yard line, will the ump be back in his former position and give the signal.

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Muhast]

I can't stand Goodell.

 

[jobberone]

I'd like to see an entire season of this new rule before commenting. I do like the fact you can pick a defensive player with the umpire now. We didn't do that and it was used against us too much.

 

[cowboyjoe]

Ridiculous. How can they put the refs back into a position they deemed too vulnerable?

a bunch of this i think has to do with the colts, their gm and peyton manning complaining about the positioning, and they wouldnt have time during the 2 minute before half or at the end of the game the way was set up

 

[joseephuss]

I can't stand Goodell.

I doubt Goodell came up with the rule.

 

[BaybeeJay]

They are still on the offensive side of the ball.

You must have missed this:

"And now umpires will move back to the old position on the defensive side of the field during the last two minutes of the first half, the last five minutes of the second half and any time a team is at or inside the defense's 5-yard line. "

 

[BaybeeJay]

The NFL has botched this badly, and the tweaks are making it worst.

Put the umpires back where they were. Give them helmets. Make it unsportsmanlike conduct for the WRs to run patterns off the umpires. Fine teams/coaches/offensive coaches for blatant picks.

I don't mind putting helmets and shoulder pads on the umps, but I don't want to add more instances where a flag can be thrown. Just let them play with the ref in the way. Keeping the refs safe was the main reason for this rule change.

 

[hendog]

I can't stand Goodell.

+ 50. The way he handled Wade Wilson was rediculous.

 

[jimmy40]

a bunch of this i think has to do with the colts, their gm and peyton manning complaining about the positioning, and they wouldnt have time during the 2 minute before half or at the end of the game the way was set up

good for Manning, he's right and thank goodness they listened to him, ridiculous that the QB had to look behind him at the umpire to find out if the ball is set.

 

[joseephuss]

You must have missed this:

"And now umpires will move back to the old position on the defensive side of the field during the last two minutes of the first half, the last five minutes of the second half and any time a team is at or inside the defense's 5-yard line. "

Nope, saw that. They will mostly be on the offensive side of the ball except those situations. Before this tweak, they were mostly on the offensive side of the ball except during the last 2 minutes of each half.