American Football Rule Changes – Defensive Pass Interference and QB stuff

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Since the controversial 2018 NFC Championship game decided by a “no-call” defensive pass interference (PI), the United States at all levels of football from Pop Warner to the NFL has been besieged by controversy. Placing aside offensive PI, defensive PI is under the NFL rule in Section 5 of the Rule Book:


SECTION 5 - PASS INTERFERENCE


ARTICLE 1. DEFINITION


It is pass interference by either team when any act by a player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Pass interference can only occur when a forward pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, regardless of whether the pass is legal or illegal, or whether it crosses the line. When the ball is in the air, eligible offensive and defensive receivers have the same right to the path of the ball and are subject to the same restrictions.



 

Defensive Pass Interference is NOT reviewable in any league; and the rules have minor variations from Pop Warner to the pro leagues. I firmly believe the rule should be standardized across all American Football. Here are my thoughts on Defensive Pass Interference (PI):
 


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1) Never bring replay into PI (still controversial; but let us simplify/get it right); I would remove replay from all leagues in all of football. PI is like grounding – you know it when you see it.

 



2) All American football leagues have become a juggernaut of offense because American fans love scoring as opposed to soccer’s 1-0 score and soccer kicking a ball back and forth for 90 minutes with a gray added time based on clock stoppage. Soccer cannot compete with a diving draped player in the corner of the end zone securing a game winning pass (Nothing can compete for excitement and anxiety in a male’s life with that end zone pass catch except perhaps asking to marry). 



 

3) Defensive PI is contact by a player not playing the ball restricting the offensive player’s ability to catch a ball. Both offensive and defensive players have a right to catch the football while in air. Failure to turn around and play the ball as a defensive player (face guarding impediment (included), playing through the back of an opponent trying to make a play on the ball, grabbing an opponent’s arm restricting an offensive player’s ability to catch a pass, extending an arm across an offensive receiver disallowing the ability to catch a pass (arm bar), forcibly cutting the receiver’s path without playing the ball, and hooking an opponent before the ball arrives are clear unmistakable violations. Close calls are NOT called – only clearcut impediments (sorry, it is football – not golf where the ball’s trivial movement at address (except on putting green or on course looking for ball or by wind, etc.) is a stroke – another dumb rule).
 


 

4) There are up to 7 officials on the field; and the unwritten rule is that they each have “ponds.” A football official 50 yards away is technically incorrect in making a call in another official’s pond. However; a closer official may make the PI call or huddle and get it correct. Most of the time football officials get it correct; and when they do not, America lives with it. Replay does not resolve close calls – 10 - minute reviews magnify the problem and lead to cold suppers.

 



5) Incidental contact on a pass route is unavoidable (like a boxing match). Illegal contact beyond 5 yards/holding/etc. are enforced before the ball is in the air. When the ball is in the air, the league CONSTITUTION PI RULE kicks in. Defensive PI becomes a focal point in winning or losing the game. Bets, playoffs, player and coaching contracts, fistfights in the stands, legacies, team ownership, and constructing stadiums are all dependent on PI calls. Remember the Saints fans filed a federal lawsuit against the NFL after the blown PI call in the 2018 NFC Championship game (deciding the outcome – Rams winning 26-23). In America, not a proper greeting can also lead to a suit. Rome fell because of this legal nonsense – we could fall over blown football calls.

 



6) Defensive PI Penalty – despite a guilty gifted defensive athlete complaining, grimacing, or in a state of shock after the call, the penalty should be in all leagues (15 yards and a first down). There is no guarantee that the offensive players would have caught the football without PI – giving the offense 50 yards is wrong. Blatant PI that one sees in college when the defensive corner is beat by 3 steps and tackles the receiver to prevent a TD, should be where the foul occurred or the longer of 15 yards (akin to NBA “Clear Path” Rule – fouling when offensive player far ahead and a reaching foul occurs to prevent an easy layup – scored a basket). 



 

7) I love defensive football with tackling techniques, corners and safeties diving for passes without PI, blitzes, blocked kicks, interceptions, fumble recoveries, and avoidance of penalties (killing the game). The modern reality is that American Football offenses (within the arms race for QBs) have strong spinners of the ball now climbing to 600 yards or more of passing yardage in a single game. As a youth watching Packers games, 200 yards of passing was a ton. The competition from Pop Warner to the NFL is about finding flame throwers to win games and bets; and shut up wideout complaints. 



 

8) I watched the NFL combine last year and walked away with Drake Maye throwing darts 75 yards down the field – sports networks claiming he has an outside chance of being a “decent” NFL QB. This is what I term “Over Analysis.” This leads to incorrect analysis and sways fans/media/GMs/players/coaches. How wrong could they be! I was informing my patients at work as a doc after the combine that Maye should be the guy shooting the arrow threw the apple on top of the gut filled volunteer at the Wilhelm Tell Festival.

 



9) Many great potential High School, College, and Pro QBs never get the chance to play and turn their career around. Aaron Rodgers playing endless 7x7, Curt Warner with NFL Europe, and Warren Moon playing in Canada are examples of guys who did NOT sit on benches endlessly while waiting their turn. High Schools, Colleges, and the NFL should have 7x7 flag on fields across the street instead of potentially great athletic QBs drooped on the bench with no sweat. Fans who cannot afford a ticket may see a great game and a QB blossoming because they are playing – and finding out if they can play. Enough.