NFL Rudeness Calls To Passer Call For Further Replay Review

IRVING, Texas – Sure, it makes perfect sense for the NFL to protect standout quarterbacks amid the chaos that engulfs their world with virtually every play.

Likewise, some of the instances of quarterback roughness we’ve seen this season feed into the logic that the league’s instant replay system could use one more situation on its menu for further review.

It was a major topic of interest when NFL owners met at a resort in suburban Dallas on Wednesday, one that seems to remain on the agenda to reflect on during the offseason when issues of rule adjustments and adjustments are considered. repetition.

Overall, quarterback roughness flags are down significantly, about 37%, from last season. Through 14 weeks in 2021, there were 121 such violations. As of Monday night, there were 76 this season.

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But the optics persist.

Some of the calls have been downright ridiculous, with a new Exhibit A provided in primetime Sunday night when Miami Dolphins defensive end Jaelen Phillips was singled out for a takedown on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who seemed to be a textbook, captures nonviolently. to force a punt. Instead, officials ruled that Phillips landed his bodyweight on Herbert, extending a drive in the third quarter.

“The question is, ‘How can we be more consistent with this particular call?’ Troy Vincent, the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, raised during a roundup of competition issues shared with owners.

Vincent, who oversees the league’s arbitration department, said he disagreed with Phillips’ sanction.

“I didn’t like that call,” Vincent said.

Overall, Vincent praised the players and coaches for living up to the spirit of the passer roughing rule. He said the players and coaches have been “phenomenal” in that regard.

It just seems that in too many cases, some of the officials have been “phenomenal” in being overly aggressive in throwing the flags.

Will instant playback provide the solution? Maybe.

Vincent said he could envision discussions about adding roughing to the passer as a reviewable play as part of the conversation to institute a rule that would result in automatic disqualification for some personal fouls. It would be similar to the college “target” rule that would result in an automatic disqualification for a player who forces a defenseless player out of the game.

“Officials, I have to say, have been very consistent and very accurate in making that call,” Vincent said. But they are human. We will have an occasion in which we do not agree.

Of course, the Dolphins could have used a review of Phillips’ penalty replay Sunday night, if such a rule existed. Now maybe you take a break in the good hours while the officers flag your weekly evaluation rap sheet.

Earlier this week, Phillips posted on Twitter: “Regardless of the outcome of the game, if I’m about to be fined $15,000 for ‘roughing the passer,’ then there needs to be some accountability and a review of what constitutes an offense.” penalty. ”

Revising the passer roughing penalty as part of the replay system would be a big step toward fairness for defensive players, who have traditionally been let down when it comes to the fairness of the rules.

It would also be a tough sell, however, typical of any instant-play expansion. As Vincent points out, there will be the question of whether a challenge will come from the coaches or whether the flag will be picked up after a review by replay officials at the NFL command center in New York, or the official sky judge at a stand on gambling sites.

Also, the league loves the trend with average playing time down 2 minutes this season to 3 hours, 2 minutes, which is typically the result of fewer game interruptions and/or more efficient replay reviews.

Another concern: “Where does it end?” Vincent asked.

If it’s good to look at passer roughing and flagrant hits on defenseless players, why not look at pass interference?

All that will enter the debate.

Then there’s the traditional view of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. For years, Belichick has taken the “check anything and everything” approach, though despite the coach’s credible reputation, he hasn’t gained much traction across the league.

As for concerns of bogging down the game with such a liberal replay system, there are limits as Trainers would still be limited to three replay challenges. If they choose to use challenges to rough up the passer or interfere with the pass instead of challenging for a point, so be it.

Then again, that might make too much sense for the NFL.