NFL Adopts Rule Clarification To Protect QBs

[UNHWildCats]

The clarification specifically prohibits a defender on the ground who hasn't been blocked or fouled directly into the quarterback from lunging or diving at the quarterback's lower legs.

[andy7171]

Stupid idiots.

[GannonFan]

What if they leap for the waist, misjudge the jump, and hit the legs? And can they still reach out and grab the legs/feet?

[saccat]

Why don't they just have the QB's wear red jerseys with a no contact rule. Then you can turn every regular game into a practice. That is what they want isn't it?

[OhioHen]

And wide receivers will be allowed to throw defenders to the ground with no penalty, while defenders will be flagged for breathing too hard in the receiver's direction.

Wait - that's apparently already the rule.

[Big Al]

And wide receivers will be allowed to throw defenders to the ground with no penalty, while defenders will be flagged for breathing too hard in the receiver's direction.

Wait - that's apparently already the rule.

Actually, they are likely instituting a rule that limits the blocks a WR can put on defenders. Think of it as the "Hines Ward Rule".

[ASUG8]

Maybe put them in one of those Sumo suits - it would kill the spread option, but at least the quarterbacks will be nearly as safe as the chess team. xrulesx

[bluehenbillk]

Laughable

[Hansel]

Is it still legal for the offense to grab the defenders facemask (but not vice versa)?

[Big Al]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ahz4RiMCYXAWuHQbwC9wff1DubYF?slug=ap-nflmeetings&prov=ap&type=lgns

No more "wedge", or bunch formations on kicks along with no more blocks to the head by offensive players.

I'm pretty sure offensive facemasking is already illegal.

[tribe_pride]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Ahz4RiMCYXAWuHQbwC9wff1DubYF?slug=ap-nflmeetings&prov=ap&type=lgns

No more "wedge", or bunch formations on kicks along with no more blocks to the head by offensive players.

I'm pretty sure offensive facemasking is already illegal.

I am pretty sure he was talking about the stiffarms by the running back or receiver to the defenders' facemasks. It's kind of BS. Anyone else gets a penalty for that especially if they do it for as long as some people do.

[jstate83]

The clarification specifically prohibits a defender on the ground who hasn't been blocked or fouled directly into the quarterback from lunging or diving at the quarterback's lower legs.

All these rules to "protect" a QB but player's like a Wide Recevier for example, looking back over his shoulder for the pass or leaping in the air for the ball, can get his arse tore out the frame and nobody say a word.xlolx

[JayJ79]

The clarification specifically prohibits a defender on the ground who hasn't been blocked or fouled directly into the quarterback from lunging or diving at the quarterback's lower legs.

In the pocket, or anywhere?

If he isn't in the pocket, I don't think they should be treated any different than runningbacks, other than the slide rule and such.

Speaking of sliding, can other ballcarriers slide, or just QBs?
(not saying they should, I'm just curious about the rule)

[UNHWildCats]

In the pocket, or anywhere?

If he isn't in the pocket, I don't think they should be treated any different than runningbacks, other than the slide rule and such.

Speaking of sliding, can other ballcarriers slide, or just QBs?
(not saying they should, I'm just curious about the rule)
i would think anyone could slide, but in the NFL they wouldnt be down until touched, where as a QB if he goes feet first is automatically down on the slide.

[813Jag]

Is it still legal for the offense to grab the defenders facemask (but not vice versa)?
technically it is a penalty but it isn't consistently called like offensive pass interference.

[aust42]

The NFL is getting much less fun to watch with these new "safety rules" the past couple years. Football is a high collision and controlled violent sport, injuries are inevitable. There will be a lot of BS flags this year enforcing the new 15 yard "blindside block", and "defender launching into a 'defenseless' receiver" penaties. Between those flags and the occassional "touching the QB" 15 yard penalty, offenses should be able to score a lot more this year. IMO the more rules you put in place, the more players are thinking on the field instead of playing with instinct, and that to me is when you're going to have more injuries.

[gmoney55]

Awful rule...though on the bright side it's getting easier and easier to sell to my wife that football is not too violent for our son when he gets older!!!

[andy7171]

Awful rule...though on the bright side it's getting easier and easier to sell to my wife that football is not too violent for our son when he gets older!!!

Soccer and basketball players have just as many injuries as football players, stand you ground! xthumbsupx