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Earlier today, I posted a two-minute viral clip of some of the most violent, bone-crunching hits in Old Testament NFL. The hits would be insane if looked at during any period in time, but given how the league has made (controversial) strides to prioritize safety over raw entertainment, they look almost cartoonish. Like NFL Blitz type shit.
Through just three weeks of NFL football, we’ve seen what seems like a season worth of ruling controversy. Clay Matthews has been railroaded in back-to-back weeks, a player has torn his ACL after awkwardly contorting his body to avoid a penalty, and players have come out saying the league only cares about the safety of their ever-valuable quarterbacks.
Goodell has a problem on his hands and just today, NFL Football Operations posted a clip on its Twitter page attempting to clarify the ambiguous roughing the passer rule and “ensure consistency in officiating the rule.” As ESPN points out, referees have thrown 34 flags for roughing the passer this season, more than twice the total over the same period in 2017. That trend will continue to tick upward as the NFL announced that there will be “no changes” to the rule was approved this spring that prohibits a defender from landing with their full body weight on quarterbacks.
To ensure consistency in officiating the roughing the passer rule, the @NFL Competition Committee clarified techniques that constitute a foul. Examples of permissible and impermissible contact on the quarterback: pic.twitter.com/ODU6FMGeIW
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) September 27, 2018
Here is the full statement from NFL executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent:
The NFL Competition Committee met last night by conference call to discuss the enforcement of roughing the passer rules with a specific emphasis on the use of body weight by a defender. The committee reviewed video of roughing the passer fouls from both this season to date and 2017.
In reiterating its position on quarterback protection, the committee determined there would be no changes to the point of emphasis approved this spring or to the rule, of which the body weight provision has been in place since 1995.
To ensure consistency in officiating the rule, the committee clarified techniques that constitute a foul.
Video feedback will continue to be provided throughout the season to coaches, players and officials illustrating clear example of permissible and impermissible contact on the quarterback.
Vincent’s statement did nothing to quell the frustration of fans who perceive the rule changes as detrimental to the game:
You’re ruining our league
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) September 27, 2018
illegal hits on the QB vs. legal hits on the QB pic.twitter.com/ws7Lmv56Yg
— Ryan Mura (@RyanMura) September 27, 2018
“correct technique” pic.twitter.com/cwyykJ6lAP
— Jets_Mets (@_Jets_Mets) September 27, 2018
Players are gonna try to go for strip sacks, one (1) QB will hurt his arm as a reaction to this rule change and by 2019 you’re not going to be able to touch the quarterback while he’s throwing
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/gbgarry11/status/1045363231659880449
https://twitter.com/BowersockHayden/status/1045363101519024128
Why is it that you consider that hit too dangerous and harmful. however if a running back or wide receiver take those same hits, it is then considered safe?
— Aaron Higbee (@AaronHigbee) September 27, 2018
Everyone involved with this film and rule should be shamed game of thrones style.
— Dkimble (@Dkimble88) September 27, 2018
This is only going to get worse, isn’t it.
[h/t CBS Sports]