[News] Eisenberg: NFL Caught A Case Of Footballus Interruptus

[BR News]

The league is on pace this season to establish an all-time high for penalties.

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[reed20fence]

I think the next battle for us as fans is to figure out how to formally protest to the League our disdain for the rules becoming incredibly one sided in favor of the passing game. Defense, especially pass defense is becoming impossible.

The last 2 decades have constituted a perfect storm with the rise of fantasy football, and the rise of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in particular. While the league has Rogers and Brees etc., I mention Brady and Manning especially because those two have lobbied very hard to have the rules in this league tweaked to favor them. Illegal contact, more stringent pass interference, the incredibly (and deliberately) loose calling of pick play violations by offenses. Tuck Rule. Brady Rule. Roughing the Passer strictness. It's all there.

Fantasy football and these two QBs have a direct correlation to the amount of yellow we see on gamedays.

And these cowards are all proud of their records. You don't think it's a coincidence that 5-6 QBs are all having record-breaking careers at the same time? You think Americans just breed super human athletes all the sudden? Ofcourse not. What these QBs and league have done is quite disrespectful to greats like Johnny Unitas, Namath, Marino, Jurgensen, Raymond Berry, and all those QBs and WRs that had to do what they did when the rules were still balanced and you as a QB were just as liable to get walloped as any other guy on the field if not more.

Kinda makes you wonder what Unitas could have accomplished with these rules given that his consecutive game TD streak stood for half a century.

Edited October 31, 2015 by reed20fence

[The Mom Gene]

The fans in EVERY stadium, for EVERY team, needs to start BOOING the flags. The NFL needs to know that THIS is not the product that we are paying to see.

 

The Refs are having way too much control over these games.

[sflegend89]

Refs need a total overhaul. They call PI on every pass break up that is a fraction of a second early, they don't even let guys play defense anymore, you basically have to let a WR catch the ball before you're allowed to even attempt to break it up this year, the defender has lost his right to make a play on the ball if they even graze the WR in the process. WR's get to push off and do whatever they want but they don't cut the defenders any slack with contact after 5 yds, it's just getting ridiculous. Not to mention the illegal pick plays that never get called but the flags fly for illegal contact on the defense over the slightest bit of contact.

 

On top of that the amount of challenges they get wrong is absurd. I mean look at the Ross fumble on the punt, his knee is clearly down while still in possession of the ball. They put way too much emphasis on the call on the field and the amount of evidence needed to overturn a call is beyond ridiculous. Use common sense, man up and make the right call, Ross's knee was down but because they don't have the absolute most perfect angle they choose not to overturn it. I understand the rule is "indisputable video evidence" but they take it to an extreme, when I look at that punt replay that to me is indisputable, focus on making what you feel is the RIGHT call and focus less on the extreme degree of absolute perfect angles that they won't reverse a call without.

Edited October 31, 2015 by sflegend89

[Jim Giampaoli]

The zebras almost always get it wrong. They break up the momentum, the rhythm of the game. Beautiful plays are nullified by senseless judgement calls because they are out of position. Seeing some old, over weight guy on shaky legs panting and wheezing, playing catch up is ridiculous. Need trim young referees who have good vision and can mentally stay in tune like those guys who referee World Cup soccer matches.

[salamander]

I don't like to see the refs throwing so many flags but I am fed up with appallingly bad, inept, game changing flags which alter the momentum, flow and outcomes of games. Last week the refs played a big role in setting the Ravens back multiple times. Whether it be the Ravens or any game I am watching, I hate seeing a bad or very questionable call, especially the flags that were totally unwarranted. It's time for heavier consequences for refs who are diminishing this great game. Bad officiating is, in reality, detrimental to the integrity of the game. Every week there are some bozo calls and teams can suffer losses as a result. The NFL has failed to deal with 1 of the biggest threats to the integrity of the game, incompetence of the refs.

Edited October 31, 2015 by salamander

[tbird]

Illegal block in the back is called way too much on punts and kickoffs. It is a dumb rule. Go back to calling pass interference only when the ball is in the air. Defensive backs don't stand a chance anymore against these huge, physical receivers like Gronkowski.

[RavensFanOfLA]

I think the next battle for us as fans is to figure out how to formally protest to the League our disdain for the rules becoming incredibly one sided in favor of the passing game. Defense, especially pass defense is becoming impossible.

The last 2 decades have constituted a perfect storm with the rise of fantasy football, and the rise of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in particular. While the league has Rogers and Brees etc., I mention Brady and Manning especially because those two have lobbied very hard to have the rules in this league tweaked to favor them. Illegal contact, more stringent pass interference, the incredibly (and deliberately) loose calling of pick play violations by offenses. Tuck Rule. Brady Rule. Roughing the Passer strictness. It's all there.

Fantasy football and these two QBs have a direct correlation to the amount of yellow we see on gamedays.

And these cowards are all proud of their records. You don't think it's a coincidence that 5-6 QBs are all having record-breaking careers at the same time? You think Americans just breed super human athletes all the sudden? Ofcourse not. What these QBs and league have done is quite disrespectful to greats like Johnny Unitas, Namath, Marino, Jurgensen, Raymond Berry, and all those QBs and WRs that had to do what they did when the rules were still balanced and you as a QB were just as liable to get walloped as any other guy on the field if not more.

Kinda makes you wonder what Unitas could have accomplished with these rules given that his consecutive game TD streak stood for half a century.

Well said.

[bozo]

the nfl has become a joke football is starting to be a joke,, the refs control who wins or losses

[bozo]

look touchdown ravens with seconds left in the game, a win wait theres a flag on the play against the ravens a late flag holding 10 yard penality ravens lose sry fans

[Ravensfansince03]

Rodger Goodell is the worst

[Ravensfansince03]

Rodger Goodell runs the NFL almost like a corrupt prison.

[Crimson Raven]

When I saw on NFL top 10 that Brady was more clutch than Johnny U. I had to call BS. Johnny Unitas was a beast! Brady is a pretty boy that pretty much has the NFL rules in his pocket. It would be more amazing to see an NFL defense stop Brady and get away with it. Johnny was a man, he called his own plays, faced the greatest defenses in possible history, and still got it done. NFL (National Flag League) you have become a joke.

[crazyboutravens]

John I am glad you don't blame the officials. I however am not so gracious. I think they have gotten worse and worse every year. Since replay they don't really care if they get the call correct because they depend on the coaches challenging the call. I am talking about officials who are just a few yards away and still get it wrong. Let us not make excuses for them because of the rule book. They are costing many teams victories which should not happen. Take them off the field and put them in front of HiDef TVs.

[Jim Giampaoli]

It comes down to shaving points. Shaving points does happen, Virgina. You have to be a twelve year old to think that the game is judged with good intent in the minds of the Zebras. Goodell and the casino operators rule the day. Case in point, billions were lost in SB 2012, worldwide, when we squeaked out a win.

[ellicottraven]

This has nothing to do with safety, but has a lot to do with TV ad revenue for the channels. Think about it, the rights to NFL games has worked out to billions in revenue for the NFL.

 

When the next deal is up for negotiation, think about the added revenues selling ads for the extra time invested in penalty time outs brings? Where do you believe those metrics are going? Right into the NFL figure heads to negotiate the next TV contracts with the networks.

 

That is exactly the point. An absolutely brilliant strategy indeed. Increase penalties in the name of some idiotic safety concerns while increase revenue to all teams! However, sooner rather than later, they’ll end up diluting the game so much, that it will come back to haunt them.

 

When exactly that point of diminishing returns occurs is unknown at this point, but if this perpetual greed catches up, it will be upon the NFL before they know what hit them and then it is downhill all the way from there!

Edited October 31, 2015 by ellicottraven

[Grapple Raven]

I think the next battle for us as fans is to figure out how to formally protest to the League our disdain for the rules becoming incredibly one sided in favor of the passing game. Defense, especially pass defense is becoming impossible.

The last 2 decades have constituted a perfect storm with the rise of fantasy football, and the rise of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in particular. While the league has Rogers and Brees etc., I mention Brady and Manning especially because those two have lobbied very hard to have the rules in this league tweaked to favor them. Illegal contact, more stringent pass interference, the incredibly (and deliberately) loose calling of pick play violations by offenses. Tuck Rule. Brady Rule. Roughing the Passer strictness. It's all there.

Fantasy football and these two QBs have a direct correlation to the amount of yellow we see on gamedays.

And these cowards are all proud of their records. You don't think it's a coincidence that 5-6 QBs are all having record-breaking careers at the same time? You think Americans just breed super human athletes all the sudden? Ofcourse not. What these QBs and league have done is quite disrespectful to greats like Johnny Unitas, Namath, Marino, Jurgensen, Raymond Berry, and all those QBs and WRs that had to do what they did when the rules were still balanced and you as a QB were just as liable to get walloped as any other guy on the field if not more.

Kinda makes you wonder what Unitas could have accomplished with these rules given that his consecutive game TD streak stood for half a century.

 

To piggyback off your response in your second paragraph, I agree that it has a lot to do with Fantasy Football. I find it equally sickening that two NFL owners in Jerry Jones and none other than Robert Kraft have a stake in FanDuel/DraftKings. I don't know how this doesn't constitute a conflict of interest??? You have two NFL Owners with a stake in what is essentially illegal gambling of their sport.  It is just mind boggling to me.   Isn't it interesting that most footballus interruptus instances that affect the game always seem to connect back to the Krafts, lol.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

I know the Ravens have had more than their fair share of penalties some called because deserved and some phantom calls....

[FloridalovesRavens]

Never been so sick of watching bad call after bad call. Even with review they still manage to get it wrong sometimes. The game has become boring at times because of junk penalties. Hope the Ravens can get a win tomorrow. Go Ravens.

[Crusader]

638 more penalties? Me thinks there is something rotten going on. This just happens at the same time all this betting on games have taken off? The illegal formation penalty on the Ravens and that "in your face" explanation why tells me there is some strong arm going on.

[NCMan]

To piggyback off your response in your second paragraph, I agree that it has a lot to do with Fantasy Football. I find it equally sickening that two NFL owners in Jerry Jones and none other than Robert Kraft have a stake in FanDuel/DraftKings. I don't know how this doesn't constitute a conflict of interest??? You have two NFL Owners with a stake in what is essentially illegal gambling of their sport.  It is just mind boggling to me.   Isn't it interesting that most footballus interruptus instances that affect the game always seem to connect back to the Krafts, lol.

Might have a thing or two to do w/Kraft & Co. not putting up any fight when penalized a cool mill and draft pick from "BradyGate". Hmmm.....

[whobilly]

NationalFlagLeague. Becoming unwatchable. At least in the college game they let them play.

Half of the PI calls in the NationalFlagLeague would not be called at the college level.

[Crusader]

The problem with the nfl is that there is no real cometition. They can do and say what they want.

[drillem]

I usually find something else to do while watching a game to take up the idle moments waiting for the penalties to be called, then reviewed then argued about for too long. That way I don't get as bored watching as I used to. Sometimes I forget the game altogether and just do my projects. The NFL is becoming less enjoyable each year. What used to be a great sport is now an ego trip for the zebras.

[catgirl54]

It has become almost unwatchable. I notice my profanity use goes up every time the refs blow the whistle and a flag is thrown. Then they have to trot out Mike Carey or Dean Blandino to just explain the stupid thing. Some are necessary - I get that - but what amazes me is when there is blatant pass interference and nothing gets called. Bill Polian said the holding penalties need to be pared down. People come to watch the quarterback, not the offensive linemen. QB's need protection. But everytime you turn around, someone is called for holding.

[Minionhunter]

Blandino is an ex-stand up comic.

[Minionhunter]

To piggyback off your response in your second paragraph, I agree that it has a lot to do with Fantasy Football. I find it equally sickening that two NFL owners in Jerry Jones and none other than Robert Kraft have a stake in FanDuel/DraftKings. I don't know how this doesn't constitute a conflict of interest??? You have two NFL Owners with a stake in what is essentially illegal gambling of their sport.  It is just mind boggling to me.   Isn't it interesting that most footballus interruptus instances that affect the game always seem to connect back to the Krafts, lol.

You hit the nail on the head. NFL team owners are not supposed to have connections with gambling. See the 1983 PBS special that was aired once then never again cakCalled  "the unauthorised history of the NFL " find it and watch it. 

Edited November 1, 2015 by Minionhunter

[Purple Dawg 96]

Gotta go back to the days of beating the other teams and the refs! Nine game win streak STARTS NOW! LET'S GO!

[law215]

There was time when I could enjoy watching any NFL game. Now the pregame show are filled with ex-players cheering for their team, every year it another emphasis on rules, and watching the game is like a marathon. The competition committee is like a special interest group lobbing for new penalties every year to give their team an advantage. Outside of watching the Ravens, I can't sit through an entire game without doing something else.

[ReginaldColeman1]

The weekly conversation has turned to refs. Even the numbers belie a big change. But if u want to control the outcome it's an easy way to do it. It's a multi billion dollar adventure set with heroes and villains. U make sure u know who is going to win and throw in a gambling league that inspires everyone to become millionaires! What a gimmick. Why cry about it unless you lost your money? It's the sports entertainment business. Add it to the boxing and thoroughbred racing industries and u have the trifecta.