NFL Report: Challenge rule not NFL’s only folly

LEAGUE SHOULDN’T

FEAR CHANGE

BY STEVE DeSHAZO

THE FREE LANCE–STAR

A decade ago, it was the so-called “tuck rule,” which cost the Oakland Raiders a snowy playoff victory and helped propel Tom Brady to stardom on and off the field.

Nearly everyone agreed it was a bad rule, but nearly 11 years later, the NFL hasn’t changed or rescinded it.

The latest silly regulation to come under scrutiny is the one that cost the Detroit Lions in their Thanksgiving Day loss to Houston.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty for throwing a challenge flag before the booth could review Justin Forsett’s 81-yard third-quarter touchdown run.

Forsett’s knee clearly hit the ground, so the run should have been overturned. Like every scoring play, it was subject to an automatic booth review. But because Schwartz threw the flag first, the review was negated and the Lions penalized.

Protocol trumped justice.

NFL insiders have reported that the league’s competition committee will review (and probably will overturn) that ridiculous rule before next season.

A fat lot of good that does the 4–7 Lions. Their faint playoff hopes were all but extinguished in a 34–31 overtime loss that wasn’t completely due to the rule, but wasn’t helped by it.

The challenge rule is not the only thing the NFL could stand to change. Here are a few suggestions:

The pregame coin flip.

The NFL should follow baseball’s lead and have the visiting team receive to start the game, with the home team getting the ball to start the second half. Or give the visitors the choice to defer. But when was the last time a game turned on a pregame coin flip?

Obviously, a flip is required for the NFL’s modified sudden-death overtime format, where the unlucky team may not get to see the ball. But as the 1998 Thanksgiving game between the Lions and Steelers proved, the league can screw that up, too.

First-down chains.

Seriously, isn’t there better technology? Each spot of the ball is a guess by the officials, and the chain holders estimate the positioning of the ball from 40 yards away on each first down. Then, if a team comes up half an inch short on a crucial fourth down, a coach gets fired.

There has to be available technology to place a microchip in the ball and use lasers to measure exactly 10 yards. Maybe not for college and high school games, but in a $9 billion league. Right?

Inactive players.

What’s the point? Teams must declare seven of their 53 players inactive an hour before each game. Why?

Inactive players still get paid. There’s space for them in the locker room—even cramped visitors locker rooms. If a team doesn’t want to use a player, just keep him on the sideline.

Having 53 players in uniform rather than 46 might even save a team from using a running back at quarterback, as the Redskins had to do with Brian Mitchell in the infamous 1990 “Body Bag” game against the Eagles.

Pregame shows.

OK, this is just a wish. But there’s generally about three minutes’ worth of pertinent injury information hidden in a 60-, 90- or even 180-minute show. (I’m looking at you, ESPN.) The rest is filler: fluff pieces, fantasy-league blather and studio hosts trying to crack each other up.

UPSET PICK

At 2–9, The Pick is doing worse than Andy Reid (if that’s possible). With nothing to lose, we’ll take a shot on the Titans (5-point home underdogs) to hand the hobbling Texans their second loss.

COUNTING DOWN:

1. 49ers (8–2–1)

QB shuffle works for now.

2. Texans (10–1)

Linebacker injuries pile up.

3. Falcons (10–1)

Lost 11 of last 13 to Saints.

4. Ravens (9–2)

Lewis’ return a big boost.

5. Patriots (8–3)

Defense gets opportunistic.

6. Broncos (8–3)

Moreno back from ACL tear.

7. Bears (8–3)

Cutler back; others hurt.

8. Giants (7–4)

Set for another late run?

9. Packers (7–4)

Worst loss for Rodgers.

10. Colts (7–4)

Three of next four on road.

11. Buccaneers (6–5)

First vs. run, last vs. pass.

12. Saints (5–6)

Can they beat Falcons twice?

13. Bengals (6–5)

Three straight easy wins.

14. Seahawks (6–5)

Awaiting NFL ruling.

15. Steelers (6–5)

Get well soon, Ben. Please.

16. Redskins (5–6)

Griffin’s biggest game yet.

17. Vikings (6–5)

Must conquer dropsies.

18. Lions (4–7)

Suh needs to tone it down.

19. Dolphins (5–6)

Run game is resurgent.

20. Cowboys (5–6)

Another LB lost for year.

21. Browns (3–8)

Weeden has a concussion.

22. Rams (4–6–1)

WR Amendola eyes return.

23. Chargers (4–7)

Fare thee well, Norv.

24. Bills (4–7)

Dissension in the ranks.

25. Jets (4–7)

Last five foes under .500.

26. Panthers (3–8)

Newton shows a glimmer.

27. Titans (4–7)

Fired play-caller Palmer.

28. Cardinals (4–7)

Lindley only hope at QB.

29. Raiders (3–8)

Ten years of .500 or worse.

30. Jaguars (2–9)

There goes the No. 1 pick.

31. Eagles (3–8)

Buzzards are circling.

32. Chiefs (1–10)

No TDs in 11 quarters.

Steve DeShazo: 540/374-5443

sdeshazo@freelancestar.com

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