After the Texans lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs, their head coach DeMeco Ryans and players from the team made comments about having to play against both the Chiefs and the officials.
After the Texans lost to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs, their head coach DeMeco Ryans and players from the team made comments about having to play against both the Chiefs and the officials.
You’re trying to win games, though, and purposely giving up 15 yards is not conducive to that.
What they really ought to do is reassess how QBs are protected. Make it clear that they lose special protections if they slide late, or slow down to create contact. And give the defender some leeway. I have seen fouls called when the defender was clearly aiming away from the head and the runner put his head in the way. Only from QBs though, looking to slide late to draw the foul.
AFAIK, the rulebook doesn’t make a distinction between a QB or any other player once they are a runner, but we all know that hits to QBs are more likely to draw flags, because nobody wants to see the backup QB in a big game.
You’re going to get the 15-yard penalty either way. Rocking the hell out of the quarterback on the other hand will absolutely help your team.
@dhork @cowfodder They used to have that. There was a 3 yard “imaginary halo” and you had to start your slide with at least three yards of separation for a penalty.
It might make sense to bring that back or at least make it a 5yrd vs. 15yrd if the QB slides late.
Same with the sideline. They should draw a second line 3 yards out of bounds and if you’re hit in that line late it’s a 5yrd penalty, outside of it 15yrds (and maybe an ejection).
Respectfully, I disagree strongly.
I was at the game where Trent Green slid, took a hit, and the concussion was so bad it changed the entire trajectory of his career. Also happened to RG3, who got lit up a lot when opted to run the ball.
Dislike the slide rule, but it exists for a very good reason. Also, it benefits the QB of your team too.
I’d also argue that protecting QB’s is good for football in general. No one wants to watch the Colt McCoys, or Curtis Painters, or Dan Orlovskys starting games.