The league has to address these routes

[erod]

Not long ago, Seattle took the approach that its defensive backs would be so physical with receivers on every play, referees wouldn't have the gumption to throw a flag on every play. The referees would adjust - which they did - and the game would play to the Seahawks favor.

The league responded, and now we have these constant contact and holding calls on the defense. It's unwatchable at times, but the NFL doesn't want to obstruct the offense and hack off Fantasy Footballers everywhere.

Now, the NFL has a new problem.

New England, Denver, Green Bay, and others now take the approach that they're going to run illegal pick plays so much, that they can live with the small percentage that get called for pass interference. Yesterday, the refs called two offensive pass interference penalties on the Patriots, when in fact, they could have called 20. Once again, teams are conditioning referees to adjust to the style the team wants to play.

So what now? Is the NFL going to start calling these more often and limit the production of the game's top quarterbacks? I doubt it.

What's especially bothersome is that they're so intentional. This isn't accidentally happening like a defensive PI; these are DESIGNED ILLEGAL PLAYS. They need to be more harshly punished.

For a pick play, I propose 15 yards and a loss of down. Make it hurt. For teams like New England, 1st and 20 is no big deal because they'll just pick their way to another first down. If they do it again, add a loss of a challenge or a timeout. Get these routes out of the game.

I'd also like to eliminate these instant bubble screens where one receiver just takes off blocking, and if the other receiver can catch the ball soon enough, it's legal. Receivers should be running routes on pass plays, not clearing out paths for wide open routes behind them.

So much of this game needs an overhaul. There are too many rules as it is, but this is an area that needs to be addressed, while other areas need to be simplified (what is a catch anyway?).

Dallas was successful against New England early yesterday. The pass rush was eating Brady alive. Then, they just employed their series of illegal pick plays, and suddenly, no problem.

 

[stilltheguru88]

I had an issue with it as well. Bad football to me.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

but since the pats do it and its an important part of their game refs will let it slide.

 

[erod]

I had an issue with it as well. Bad football to me.

There's something inherently wrong when this an intentional ploy to circumvent the rules and is a critical part of a team's playbook and game plan.

 

[Richmond Cowboy]

Not long ago, Seattle took the approach that its defensive backs would be so physical with receivers on every play, referees wouldn't have the gumption to throw a flag on every play. The referees would adjust - which they did - and the game would play to the Seahawks favor.

The league responded, and now we have these constant contact and holding calls on the defense. It's unwatchable at times, but the NFL doesn't want to obstruct the offense and hack off Fantasy Footballers everywhere.

Now, the NFL has a new problem.

New England, Denver, Green Bay, and others now take the approach that they're going to run illegal pick plays so much, that they can live with the small percentage that get called for pass interference. Yesterday, the refs called two offensive pass interference penalties on the Patriots, when in fact, they could have called 20. Once again, teams are conditioning referees to adjust to the style the team wants to play.

So what now? Is the NFL going to start calling these more often and limit the production of the game's top quarterbacks? I doubt it.

What's especially bothersome is that they're so intentional. This isn't accidentally happening like a defensive PI; these are DESIGNED ILLEGAL PLAYS. They need to be more harshly punished.

For a pick play, I propose 15 yards and a loss of down. Make it hurt. For teams like New England, 1st and 20 is no big deal because they'll just pick their way to another first down. If they do it again, add a loss of a challenge or a timeout. Get these routes out of the game.

I'd also like to eliminate these instant bubble screens where one receiver just takes off blocking, and if the other receiver can catch the ball soon enough, it's legal. Receivers should be running routes on pass plays, not clearing out paths for wide open routes behind them.

So much of this game needs an overhaul. There are too many rules as it is, but this is an area that needs to be addressed, while other areas need to be simplified (what is a catch anyway?).

Dallas was successful against New England early yesterday. The pass rush was eating Brady alive. Then, they just employed their series of illegal pick plays, and suddenly, no problem.

Either the league needs to address it or we need to join the party. I suspect however, if the Cowboys started carving up defenses with pick plays the competition committee would review have a new rule the very next season...

 

[speedkilz88]

Yeah, the Cowboys didn't have a chance with Weeden but the pick plays, especially the pick play for a td are a slap in the face to us fans.

 

[DallasCowboys2080]

Either the league needs to address it or we need to join the party. I suspect however, if the Cowboys started carving up defenses with pick plays the competition committee would review have a new rule the very next season...

well than thats a sure fire way to have the league address it. Cowboys start using it in their game planning.

 

[DC Cowboy]

Not long ago, Seattle took the approach that its defensive backs would be so physical with receivers on every play, referees wouldn't have the gumption to throw a flag on every play. The referees would adjust - which they did - and the game would play to the Seahawks favor.

The league responded, and now we have these constant contact and holding calls on the defense. It's unwatchable at times, but the NFL doesn't want to obstruct the offense and hack off Fantasy Footballers everywhere.

Now, the NFL has a new problem.

New England, Denver, Green Bay, and others now take the approach that they're going to run illegal pick plays so much, that they can live with the small percentage that get called for pass interference. Yesterday, the refs called two offensive pass interference penalties on the Patriots, when in fact, they could have called 20. Once again, teams are conditioning referees to adjust to the style the team wants to play.

So what now? Is the NFL going to start calling these more often and limit the production of the game's top quarterbacks? I doubt it.

What's especially bothersome is that they're so intentional. This isn't accidentally happening like a defensive PI; these are DESIGNED ILLEGAL PLAYS. They need to be more harshly punished.

For a pick play, I propose 15 yards and a loss of down. Make it hurt. For teams like New England, 1st and 20 is no big deal because they'll just pick their way to another first down. If they do it again, add a loss of a challenge or a timeout. Get these routes out of the game.

I'd also like to eliminate these instant bubble screens where one receiver just takes off blocking, and if the other receiver can catch the ball soon enough, it's legal. Receivers should be running routes on pass plays, not clearing out paths for wide open routes behind them.

So much of this game needs an overhaul. There are too many rules as it is, but this is an area that needs to be addressed, while other areas need to be simplified (what is a catch anyway?).

Dallas was successful against New England early yesterday. The pass rush was eating Brady alive. Then, they just employed their series of illegal pick plays, and suddenly, no problem.

I proposed we start running them.

 

[loublue22]

Two TD "drives" were a direct result of picks, too bad we don't have a coach who would stand up to the refs about it.

 

[HoustonSucks]

If anyone is bored, I'd sure like to see a diagram of some of these plays. I see offensive pass interference or at least what I think is OI but I rarely notice patterns b/c I tend to zone in on the players I want to focus on and thus I'm not always looking at the bigger picture. So if anyone has some gifs or diagrams, I'd truly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

I proposed we start running them.

We did last week (once) and it worked. And guess what? Those meannie NFL refs that supposedly hate the Cowboys so much didn't call it.

 

[khiladi]

Not long ago, Seattle took the approach that its defensive backs would be so physical with receivers on every play, referees wouldn't have the gumption to throw a flag on every play. The referees would adjust - which they did - and the game would play to the Seahawks favor.

The league responded, and now we have these constant contact and holding calls on the defense. It's unwatchable at times, but the NFL doesn't want to obstruct the offense and hack off Fantasy Footballers everywhere.

Now, the NFL has a new problem.

New England, Denver, Green Bay, and others now take the approach that they're going to run illegal pick plays so much, that they can live with the small percentage that get called for pass interference. Yesterday, the refs called two offensive pass interference penalties on the Patriots, when in fact, they could have called 20. Once again, teams are conditioning referees to adjust to the style the team wants to play.

So what now? Is the NFL going to start calling these more often and limit the production of the game's top quarterbacks? I doubt it.

What's especially bothersome is that they're so intentional. This isn't accidentally happening like a defensive PI; these are DESIGNED ILLEGAL PLAYS. They need to be more harshly punished.

For a pick play, I propose 15 yards and a loss of down. Make it hurt. For teams like New England, 1st and 20 is no big deal because they'll just pick their way to another first down. If they do it again, add a loss of a challenge or a timeout. Get these routes out of the game.

I'd also like to eliminate these instant bubble screens where one receiver just takes off blocking, and if the other receiver can catch the ball soon enough, it's legal. Receivers should be running routes on pass plays, not clearing out paths for wide open routes behind them.

So much of this game needs an overhaul. There are too many rules as it is, but this is an area that needs to be addressed, while other areas need to be simplified (what is a catch anyway?).

Dallas was successful against New England early yesterday. The pass rush was eating Brady alive. Then, they just employed their series of illegal pick plays, and suddenly, no problem.

It's actually happened vice versa...

The offense has been getting away with it for years.. Seattle defended it with physicality and shut it down.

Refs went back to calling Seattle more tightly..

Wade in his year off last year said offenses are doing this and getting away with it. He singled out the Pars and Denver in particular. He also said the league is catering to offense.

Like I said, teams like the Pats put up big numbers because of the rules. The Pats have a way to beat the system. Put Brady in the 90s when CBs could play, he's not getting it done. There is a reason spread offenses didn't make it during the early 90s and prior.

 

[speedkilz88]

We did last week (once) and it worked. And guess what? Those meannie NFL refs that supposedly hate the Cowboys so much didn't call it.

They got away with one pick play and they were flagged for the others.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

They got away with one pick play and they were flagged for the others.

Like every other team. The refs are not anti Cowboy.

 

[Nightman]

Rogah will be here shortly to explain to us why none of these plays and routes are illegal

The Edelman TD was a joke, but Amendola threw his hands up like "who me?" so I can see the refs missing it.

The OP is right. If they run it every play, then flag them every play, not just twice.

 

[khiladi]

The rule is you can only pick as an offensive player the first yard. Anything after that is illegal.

Pats also run plays where offensive players routes where they may cross each other, to take up space to bypass the pick rule... Refs would then argue based on subjectivity that both players, defense and offense have right to space..

People don't understand how much the Pats offense is a system offense.. BB and Ernie Adams stretch the rules to the limits..

 

[Dave_in-NC]

The rule is you can only pick as an offensive player the first yard. Anything after that is illegal.

Pats also try and run plays where offensive players routes such as yo cross each other, to take up space to bypass the pick rule... Refs would then argue based on subjectivity...

People don't understand how much the Pats offense is a system offense..

And highly effective with other teams cast offs.

 

[Craig]

They dont favor other teams and they arent out to get the cowboys. Its exactly as the initial post said: teams run a high volume of plays like that and refs dont repeatedly call it.

 

[speedkilz88]

Like every other team. The refs are not anti Cowboy.

The cheatriots were living off the pick plays. They get called on 1 and get away with several. The Cowboys rarely have run them and get called the majority of time - which is why they rarely run them. Some pick plays are legal - those where the wr gets in the way to slow the db down but doesn't purposely "block" the db. The one where Gronk ran a crossing pattern is one of those legal ones. The Cowboys call them rub plays.

 

[khiladi]

They dont favor other teams and they arent out to get the cowboys. Its exactly as the initial post said: teams run a high volume of plays like that and refs dont repeatedly call it.

Certain teams do but the refs have a responsibility to check it..

If the Pats were called even fairly, their 'success' margin would take a huge hit.