The whole “refs would be throwing flags the whole game” comment is so nearsighted. Maybe that would happen a few games, but 10 yard penalties are absolute drive killers, call enough of those and offensive linemen will begin not relying on refs to overlook holds.
Usually it seems like the most egregious holds happen when the OL gets beat so bad they are trying to give the QB enough time to escape, if they actually stopped holding there’d probably be a lot more QB injuries. I think in the current state of the NFL, OL talent is outmatched by DL talent, and letting them get away with holding tips the scales a bit back so they’re more evenly matched.
I agree it’s total bullshit though, either call it every time or make it legal. Deal with the consequences. Letting the refs influence the game whenever they feel like it is wrong.
The same goes in reverse for defenses too, obviously. Defensive holding and late PI calls are getting flagged randomly or at the will of the ref rather than every time… call it every time and watch how quickly players adjust and stop trying to get away with breaking the rules.
I’m going to say something controversial here: i think you’re both tapping into the idea that the refs just need to be consistent. Either call it or don’t, but do it the same way the whole time. You’d definitely hear fewer complaints about the officials if they just called things (or let things go) consistently.
Agreed 100%. I’d take calls being made consistently as a stepping stone to better officiating. But ideally they would call all penalties and force players to adjust/play within the rules rather than just be consistent with what they do or don’t call. But I’d still take consistency in games, and across different ref crews, over what we have currently without question.
The whole “refs would be throwing flags the whole game” comment is so nearsighted. Maybe that would happen a few games, but 10 yard penalties are absolute drive killers, call enough of those and offensive linemen will begin not relying on refs to overlook holds.
Usually it seems like the most egregious holds happen when the OL gets beat so bad they are trying to give the QB enough time to escape, if they actually stopped holding there’d probably be a lot more QB injuries. I think in the current state of the NFL, OL talent is outmatched by DL talent, and letting them get away with holding tips the scales a bit back so they’re more evenly matched.
I agree it’s total bullshit though, either call it every time or make it legal. Deal with the consequences. Letting the refs influence the game whenever they feel like it is wrong.
I would like to see how making it legal on both sides of the ball would play out.
The same goes in reverse for defenses too, obviously. Defensive holding and late PI calls are getting flagged randomly or at the will of the ref rather than every time… call it every time and watch how quickly players adjust and stop trying to get away with breaking the rules.
I’m going to say something controversial here: i think you’re both tapping into the idea that the refs just need to be consistent. Either call it or don’t, but do it the same way the whole time. You’d definitely hear fewer complaints about the officials if they just called things (or let things go) consistently.
It’s intentionally put into the refs hands to keep the bookies happy. Refs work for vegas.
Agreed 100%. I’d take calls being made consistently as a stepping stone to better officiating. But ideally they would call all penalties and force players to adjust/play within the rules rather than just be consistent with what they do or don’t call. But I’d still take consistency in games, and across different ref crews, over what we have currently without question.