What the NFL Competition Committte is looking at...

[In-A-Gadda-Levitre]

link

 

Q: The committee also voted to clarify the rule prohibiting low hits on the passer…

Mara: “There was a lot of discussion about that, in particular the play where Tom Brady was hurt, and there was a lot of discussion about whether under the rules as currently written that was an illegal play, whether that was a foul or not. Some of us felt it was and some of us felt that it wasn’t.”

 

Q: You thought it was?

Mara: “I thought it was. I think there should be no doubt next year that that would constitute a foul. Really what we are saying is that if a defender has been knocked to the ground he can’t lunge or roll into a quarterback’s legs. He can swipe or he can pick himself back up and then pursue the quarterback. But you can’t take a second act by lunging or by rolling into the quarterback, because the potential for injury is too great. And we lost one of the great players in the game for the whole year because of that.”

 

Q: So if a defensive end is on his knees he can’t from there launch himself into the quarterback?

Mara: “Correct. He can swipe and try to get him. He can reach out and try to grab him, but he can’t launch himself into quarterback’s knees or below. Again, there was a lot of discussion about whether we are placing an unfair burden on the defensive player. And I think most of us agreed that while it is a burden, it is not unfair and that the benefits outweigh the downside.”

[spartacus]

link

 

but it's OK when a nose tackle from Brady's team dives into the Bills QB knee on purpose

[keepthefaith]

but it's OK when a nose tackle from Brady's team dives into the Bills QB knee on purpose

 

If the new rule is put into effect, it will be dubbed "the JP Losman" rule.

[Ramius]

Perhaps Jauron is onto something. At the rate we are wussifying the game, specifically the flag football rules regarding the QB, DEs are soon to be obsolete. Better stock up on CBs that can cover the pass.