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LGHL Unpopular Opinion: College football’s less draconian pass interference penalty is better than NFL’s
- News
- 0 Replies
Unpopular Opinion: College football’s less draconian pass interference penalty is better than NFL’s
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s stop giving NFL refs the chance to play God.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about what we would do if we were in charge of our favorite position group, team, conference, or sport. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “Unpopular Opinion” articles here.
While the bright lights and loud fans of college football give the impression that NCAA football resembles NFL football, football at these two levels is actually different enough to almost be a unique game. Sure, on the surface, it’s the same game, but rule and strategy differences between the two make them different beasts.
Some of these differences are major — the size of the field, the overtime rules, and the fact that NFL games can end in a tie (stupid, this isn’t European football). But there is one difference I take issue with in particular.
It’s a seemingly minor difference, but my take seems to be unpopular nonetheless. In fact, every time I bring it up with my friends and family, I get yelled at. So if you think I’m an idiot, by all means, say so. I promise I’ve heard it all before. Or, if by chance you agree with me, let me know so I can rest peacefully in my vindication.
I don’t know much, but I know that I absolutely HATE the NFL penalty for defensive pass interference.
Let me first explain defensive pass interference for those who might not be familiar. Per the NFL rulebook, defensive pass interference is any act by a defensive player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage that significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball. The rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the time the ball is touched.
In the NCAA, defensive pass interference is contact beyond the neutral zone by a defensive player intentionally and obviously impeding an eligible opponent to prevent the opponent from catching a legal forward pass.
In both instances, there are lists of behaviors that are not considered pass interference (such as legal defensive contact before the ball is thrown), along with lists of prohibited behavior. Offensive pass interference also exists in both college and pros, though I’m really only looking at defensive pass interference today. We don’t need to get into the nitty-gritty of how these penalties are called here, because what I really take issue with is what happens when such a penalty is called in the NFL.
In the NFL, the penalty for defensive pass interference is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. In the NCAA, if the spot of the foul is less than 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, the penalty is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. If the penalty is more than 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, it’s a 15-yard penalty with an automatic first down.
I hate the NFL’s rule.
There are two main arguments I hear from haters of the NCAA version (my own father included) time and time again. The first is that having such a minimal penalty in college might actually make pass interference part of the strategy. While the NFL’s harsh penalty for defensive pass interference serves to really discourage such a move, there are times in the NCAA when taking a 15-yard penalty to stop a huge pass play or potential scoring drive could actually be a strategic move that entices guys to take the 15-yard hit if it means stopping a touchdown.
I actually think there is some merit to this argument. In fact, when defensive pass interference discourse came to a head in 2019, the play in question would probably be a good example of when you might want to intentionally interfere.
In the final two minutes of the 2019 NFC Championship game, the Saints and Rams were tied. Tommylee Lewis looked set to make a huge catch for the Saints when, out of nowhere, he was absolutely obliterated by the Rams’ Nickell Robey-Coleman. The interference was so obvious my grandmother could have seen it from space without her glasses, and yet, it was crickets from the ref.
This no-call arguably cost the Saints the game, spurred discussion and debate in the NFL, and led to a year-long trial of reviewing/challenging pass interference calls.
The NFL has since done away with this pass interference review system though (another story for another day), which brings us to my main problem: Defensive pass interference is incredibly subjective.
Some refs let guys play, while other officials are more eager to throw the flag. And in all circumstances, officials are humans with margins of error.
In critical situations late in a close game, a defensive pass interference call has the ability to determine the outcome of a game. Just as the no-call stole a potential score from the Saints in 2019, so too can a mistaken toss of the flag hand points to a team that didn’t earn them. The review system implemented by the NFL was certainly flawed, but to have no recourse on a bad call that could realistically hand 40-80 yards to an opponent in a crucial moment feels insane.
The second argument I hear from pro-NFL-versioners is that the NFL way keeps things exciting.
I also agree with this, but at what cost? A little excitement, to me, is not good enough reason to let one flawed person potentially change the outcome of a football game.
Let’s not act like 15 yards and an automatic first down isn’t a huge momentum shift in its own right. Give a team a first down in a critical situation, and that too can change the game. But it feels different than handing them a potentially extreme number of yards. It’s costly, but the punishment fits the crime.
If the NFL really wants to course-correct to avoid referees playing God late in the game, they should take the NCAA’s approach and make it a harsh penalty but not so harsh that it gives the game away.
Continue reading...
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Let’s stop giving NFL refs the chance to play God.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about what we would do if we were in charge of our favorite position group, team, conference, or sport. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “Unpopular Opinion” articles here.
While the bright lights and loud fans of college football give the impression that NCAA football resembles NFL football, football at these two levels is actually different enough to almost be a unique game. Sure, on the surface, it’s the same game, but rule and strategy differences between the two make them different beasts.
Some of these differences are major — the size of the field, the overtime rules, and the fact that NFL games can end in a tie (stupid, this isn’t European football). But there is one difference I take issue with in particular.
It’s a seemingly minor difference, but my take seems to be unpopular nonetheless. In fact, every time I bring it up with my friends and family, I get yelled at. So if you think I’m an idiot, by all means, say so. I promise I’ve heard it all before. Or, if by chance you agree with me, let me know so I can rest peacefully in my vindication.
I don’t know much, but I know that I absolutely HATE the NFL penalty for defensive pass interference.
Let me first explain defensive pass interference for those who might not be familiar. Per the NFL rulebook, defensive pass interference is any act by a defensive player more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage that significantly hinders an eligible player’s opportunity to catch the ball. The rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the time the ball is touched.
In the NCAA, defensive pass interference is contact beyond the neutral zone by a defensive player intentionally and obviously impeding an eligible opponent to prevent the opponent from catching a legal forward pass.
In both instances, there are lists of behaviors that are not considered pass interference (such as legal defensive contact before the ball is thrown), along with lists of prohibited behavior. Offensive pass interference also exists in both college and pros, though I’m really only looking at defensive pass interference today. We don’t need to get into the nitty-gritty of how these penalties are called here, because what I really take issue with is what happens when such a penalty is called in the NFL.
In the NFL, the penalty for defensive pass interference is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. In the NCAA, if the spot of the foul is less than 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, the penalty is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. If the penalty is more than 15 yards from the line of scrimmage, it’s a 15-yard penalty with an automatic first down.
I hate the NFL’s rule.
There are two main arguments I hear from haters of the NCAA version (my own father included) time and time again. The first is that having such a minimal penalty in college might actually make pass interference part of the strategy. While the NFL’s harsh penalty for defensive pass interference serves to really discourage such a move, there are times in the NCAA when taking a 15-yard penalty to stop a huge pass play or potential scoring drive could actually be a strategic move that entices guys to take the 15-yard hit if it means stopping a touchdown.
I actually think there is some merit to this argument. In fact, when defensive pass interference discourse came to a head in 2019, the play in question would probably be a good example of when you might want to intentionally interfere.
In the final two minutes of the 2019 NFC Championship game, the Saints and Rams were tied. Tommylee Lewis looked set to make a huge catch for the Saints when, out of nowhere, he was absolutely obliterated by the Rams’ Nickell Robey-Coleman. The interference was so obvious my grandmother could have seen it from space without her glasses, and yet, it was crickets from the ref.
This no-call arguably cost the Saints the game, spurred discussion and debate in the NFL, and led to a year-long trial of reviewing/challenging pass interference calls.
The NFL has since done away with this pass interference review system though (another story for another day), which brings us to my main problem: Defensive pass interference is incredibly subjective.
Some refs let guys play, while other officials are more eager to throw the flag. And in all circumstances, officials are humans with margins of error.
In critical situations late in a close game, a defensive pass interference call has the ability to determine the outcome of a game. Just as the no-call stole a potential score from the Saints in 2019, so too can a mistaken toss of the flag hand points to a team that didn’t earn them. The review system implemented by the NFL was certainly flawed, but to have no recourse on a bad call that could realistically hand 40-80 yards to an opponent in a crucial moment feels insane.
The second argument I hear from pro-NFL-versioners is that the NFL way keeps things exciting.
I also agree with this, but at what cost? A little excitement, to me, is not good enough reason to let one flawed person potentially change the outcome of a football game.
Let’s not act like 15 yards and an automatic first down isn’t a huge momentum shift in its own right. Give a team a first down in a critical situation, and that too can change the game. But it feels different than handing them a potentially extreme number of yards. It’s costly, but the punishment fits the crime.
If the NFL really wants to course-correct to avoid referees playing God late in the game, they should take the NCAA’s approach and make it a harsh penalty but not so harsh that it gives the game away.
Continue reading...
LGHL Unpopular Opinion: Ohio State needs to stop recruiting dual-threat quarterbacks
- News
- 0 Replies
Unpopular Opinion: Ohio State needs to stop recruiting dual-threat quarterbacks
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
It’s time for a change!
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about what we would do if we were in charge of our favorite position group, team, conference, or sport. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “Unpopular Opinion” articles here.
The dual-threat quarterback: isn’t it every college football coach’s dream? One man who is able to pass AND run efficiently? I mean, it gives the offense more options to work with and makes it trickier for defenses to be successful. What’s not to like? For me, there are more cons than pros. Here is my case for why the Buckeyes need to stop recruiting dual-threat QBs.
Let’s reflect on the past couple of Ohio State dual-threat quarterbacks, as the rise of this type of player has happened in the past decade or so. Starting with J.T. Barrett, he was one of the greatest players statistically ever for Ohio State at the position. He could run the ball very well and had great pocket awareness, in addition to a pretty good arm.
However, his ability to throw the ball accurately and deep in a consistent manner was subpar. Barrett’s completion percentage dropped dramatically once he was under pressure. In the 2016 season, he completed 66.9 percent of his passes when he was given a clean pocket, but when facing pressure, his completion percentage dipped to 46.8 percent and threw only three touchdowns to one interception.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24687182/899672284.jpg "Goodyear Cotton Bowl - USC v Ohio State")
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
What does all of this mean? Barrett was a talented quarterback who was gifted in multiple areas, but especially his legs. It is crucial for a QB to be able to consistently complete the deep ball and make accurate throws under pressure, but when it comes to being dual-threat, typically (and there are exceptions), you cannot be great at both running and passing.
A better example to examine is Justin Fields. Clearly, Fields was also an all-time great Buckeye QB. He is one of those unusual cases where he can both run and throw the ball exceptionally well. One of the main problems I have with this, though, is his durability. Fields is a decently-sized guy— 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds. However, during his two years at Ohio State, we saw him take hit after hit, and the biggest one of all came from James Skalski against Clemson in the CFB Playoff.
Fields’ ribs were severely injured, and he physically couldn’t play at his usual high level after that hit. Even though the Buckeyes won that game, when they played Alabama in the National Championship, they got destroyed and Fields struggled, as he completed 17 of 33 passes for 194 yards and only one touchdown.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24687184/1294075160.jpg "CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl - Clemson v Ohio State")
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Could that hit happen to a non-dual-threat QB? Absolutely. However, the risk of taking a severe hit increases dramatically the more run options you have for your quarterback. In the pros, we are seeing the exact same thing from Fields. His talent is obvious, yet he has been getting demolished by NFL defenses, as it is extremely hard to find success as a dual-threat player in the pros.
We have seen time and time again how this type of QB simply doesn’t translate well to the NFL. Long-term success is almost impossible! Robert Griffin III suffered many injuries, Tim Tebow didn’t make it, Cam Newton had a few great years before falling off, Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb... the list goes on and on. These guys made a name for themselves because of their ability to run, not their tremendous arm.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24687185/1237273090.jpg "Atlanta Falcons v Carolina Panthers")
Photo by Lance King/Getty Images
However, when you look at the greatest quarterbacks from the past couple of decades such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers, it is clear that they are all pocket passers first. Passing is their strongest asset. And they all have won Super Bowls. They are the type of quarterback that succeeds at the pro level.
Now, that isn’t to say that dual-threat quarterbacks don’t succeed at the college level, because clearly, they do. However, when thinking about durability and the necessity of being able to have a strong and accurate arm, I think it is better for teams to have a pro-style QB.
Both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown aren’t regarded as dual-threat quarterbacks, and clearly neither was C.J. Stroud, but now with a new starter under center, I am interested to see the type of offense that is conducted with McCord or Brown at the helm. As for Stroud, I’m curious how he will perform and how long his body can last at the professional level versus Fields. I love me some Justin Fields, but I will take a pro-style QB over a dual-threat one any day of the week.
Continue reading...
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
It’s time for a change!
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about what we would do if we were in charge of our favorite position group, team, conference, or sport. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “Unpopular Opinion” articles here.
The dual-threat quarterback: isn’t it every college football coach’s dream? One man who is able to pass AND run efficiently? I mean, it gives the offense more options to work with and makes it trickier for defenses to be successful. What’s not to like? For me, there are more cons than pros. Here is my case for why the Buckeyes need to stop recruiting dual-threat QBs.
Let’s reflect on the past couple of Ohio State dual-threat quarterbacks, as the rise of this type of player has happened in the past decade or so. Starting with J.T. Barrett, he was one of the greatest players statistically ever for Ohio State at the position. He could run the ball very well and had great pocket awareness, in addition to a pretty good arm.
However, his ability to throw the ball accurately and deep in a consistent manner was subpar. Barrett’s completion percentage dropped dramatically once he was under pressure. In the 2016 season, he completed 66.9 percent of his passes when he was given a clean pocket, but when facing pressure, his completion percentage dipped to 46.8 percent and threw only three touchdowns to one interception.
What does all of this mean? Barrett was a talented quarterback who was gifted in multiple areas, but especially his legs. It is crucial for a QB to be able to consistently complete the deep ball and make accurate throws under pressure, but when it comes to being dual-threat, typically (and there are exceptions), you cannot be great at both running and passing.
A better example to examine is Justin Fields. Clearly, Fields was also an all-time great Buckeye QB. He is one of those unusual cases where he can both run and throw the ball exceptionally well. One of the main problems I have with this, though, is his durability. Fields is a decently-sized guy— 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds. However, during his two years at Ohio State, we saw him take hit after hit, and the biggest one of all came from James Skalski against Clemson in the CFB Playoff.
Fields’ ribs were severely injured, and he physically couldn’t play at his usual high level after that hit. Even though the Buckeyes won that game, when they played Alabama in the National Championship, they got destroyed and Fields struggled, as he completed 17 of 33 passes for 194 yards and only one touchdown.
Could that hit happen to a non-dual-threat QB? Absolutely. However, the risk of taking a severe hit increases dramatically the more run options you have for your quarterback. In the pros, we are seeing the exact same thing from Fields. His talent is obvious, yet he has been getting demolished by NFL defenses, as it is extremely hard to find success as a dual-threat player in the pros.
We have seen time and time again how this type of QB simply doesn’t translate well to the NFL. Long-term success is almost impossible! Robert Griffin III suffered many injuries, Tim Tebow didn’t make it, Cam Newton had a few great years before falling off, Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb... the list goes on and on. These guys made a name for themselves because of their ability to run, not their tremendous arm.
However, when you look at the greatest quarterbacks from the past couple of decades such as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers, it is clear that they are all pocket passers first. Passing is their strongest asset. And they all have won Super Bowls. They are the type of quarterback that succeeds at the pro level.
Now, that isn’t to say that dual-threat quarterbacks don’t succeed at the college level, because clearly, they do. However, when thinking about durability and the necessity of being able to have a strong and accurate arm, I think it is better for teams to have a pro-style QB.
Both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown aren’t regarded as dual-threat quarterbacks, and clearly neither was C.J. Stroud, but now with a new starter under center, I am interested to see the type of offense that is conducted with McCord or Brown at the helm. As for Stroud, I’m curious how he will perform and how long his body can last at the professional level versus Fields. I love me some Justin Fields, but I will take a pro-style QB over a dual-threat one any day of the week.
Continue reading...
LGHL LGHL Asks: Ohio State fans pick who they want to eventually succeed Ryan Day as head coach
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- 0 Replies
LGHL Asks: Ohio State fans pick who they want to eventually succeed Ryan Day as head coach
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about what we would do if we were in charge of our favorite position group, team, conference, or sport. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “Unpopular Opinion” articles here.
We are wrapping up Unpopular Opinion Week here at Land-Grant Holy Land, so it’s time for us to look back at the latest Ohio State fan survey results. Earlier this week, we asked two questions, one that could have a very unpopular opinion depending on how you answer, and another that is likely less unpopular but could lead to a lot of good-natured discussions.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24687965/OhioState_1_052523.png)
Ohio State has been the best football program in the Big Ten since Jim Tressel burst onto the scene over 20 years ago. For nearly the entirety of those two decades, the Buckeyes have also been the best team in the conference as well. However, that latter point is admittedly up for debate at this point.
Despite the fact that Ryan Day’s squad has lost the last two editions of The Game, they are still the best program in the league. While the gap between the two teams in terms of on-field, head-to-head success has shifted towards the Maize and Blue, when you factor in recruiting, NFL Draft results, and other off-field factors, the edge still belongs with the Buckeyes.
That being typed, should Day lose three straight to his rivals, I don’t think that we will be able to say that six months from now. For the 26% who jumped the gun and said that the Harboys are already the best program in the B1G, either you are Corn and Blue fans who have infiltrated our sacred survey, or you are Buckeye fans who need to start seeing the glass half full, rather than empty.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24687966/OhioState_2_052523.png)
When looking at the top three vote-getters here, I think this is all a matter of personal preference. I do think that in modern college football, having a head coach who comes from the offensive side of the ball is likely the best bet. However, Brian Hartline is just now beginning his offensive coordinator career, so I don’t know if I would be super comfortable bestowing the honor on him just yet. It’s not that I don’t think he could do it, I just would like a little bit more proof of concept before we make it official.
When it comes to Vrabel, I don’t know if you could ask much more in terms of pedigree. Not only was he a consensus All-American as a player at Ohio State, but in the NFL he was an All-Pro and a three-time Super Bowl champion.
He then started his coaching career back home in Columbus before going to the NFL where he has been named NFL Coach of the Year and taken the Tennessee Titans to the AFC Championship game. In his five seasons as an NFL head coach, Vrabel has four winning seasons and a winning percentage of .585.
If he were interested in replacing Day at some point in the future, I personally would find it hard to go anywhere else.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns / USA TODAY NETWORK
You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about what we would do if we were in charge of our favorite position group, team, conference, or sport. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all our “Unpopular Opinion” articles here.
We are wrapping up Unpopular Opinion Week here at Land-Grant Holy Land, so it’s time for us to look back at the latest Ohio State fan survey results. Earlier this week, we asked two questions, one that could have a very unpopular opinion depending on how you answer, and another that is likely less unpopular but could lead to a lot of good-natured discussions.
Question 1: Who is the best football program in the Big Ten?
Ohio State has been the best football program in the Big Ten since Jim Tressel burst onto the scene over 20 years ago. For nearly the entirety of those two decades, the Buckeyes have also been the best team in the conference as well. However, that latter point is admittedly up for debate at this point.
Despite the fact that Ryan Day’s squad has lost the last two editions of The Game, they are still the best program in the league. While the gap between the two teams in terms of on-field, head-to-head success has shifted towards the Maize and Blue, when you factor in recruiting, NFL Draft results, and other off-field factors, the edge still belongs with the Buckeyes.
That being typed, should Day lose three straight to his rivals, I don’t think that we will be able to say that six months from now. For the 26% who jumped the gun and said that the Harboys are already the best program in the B1G, either you are Corn and Blue fans who have infiltrated our sacred survey, or you are Buckeye fans who need to start seeing the glass half full, rather than empty.
Question 2: Who should be the head coach of OSU football whenever Ryan Day leaves?
When looking at the top three vote-getters here, I think this is all a matter of personal preference. I do think that in modern college football, having a head coach who comes from the offensive side of the ball is likely the best bet. However, Brian Hartline is just now beginning his offensive coordinator career, so I don’t know if I would be super comfortable bestowing the honor on him just yet. It’s not that I don’t think he could do it, I just would like a little bit more proof of concept before we make it official.
When it comes to Vrabel, I don’t know if you could ask much more in terms of pedigree. Not only was he a consensus All-American as a player at Ohio State, but in the NFL he was an All-Pro and a three-time Super Bowl champion.
He then started his coaching career back home in Columbus before going to the NFL where he has been named NFL Coach of the Year and taken the Tennessee Titans to the AFC Championship game. In his five seasons as an NFL head coach, Vrabel has four winning seasons and a winning percentage of .585.
If he were interested in replacing Day at some point in the future, I personally would find it hard to go anywhere else.
Continue reading...