So, linemen downfield... something has to change!

CrimsonNagus · Sep 20, 2015

It's beyond getting ridiculous but, for some reason the refs just refuse to make this call. 2 obvious blown no calls today, one in the Barn LSU game and another in ours, both resulted in TD.

It is impossible for defenses to defend against a pass when all there coaching says to play run when linemen move downfield. I think these plays are purposely drawn up with expectation that the refs will never throw the flag.

This was suppose to be a point of emphasis by refs this year and they still blew those 2 obvious calls today. Herby said during our game that it is a tough call for the official to make. My dad on the other hand, who officiated football for over 15 years, says that isn't true. He says it was never a hard call and always pretty obvious, especially when they are as far downfield as they were today.

IMO, this rule must be changed to no more then 1 yard beyond the line of scrimmage or not beyond the LoS at all. I don't care which, it just has to change. It's a problem all over the country and needs to be addressed, no matter how much Gus and Freeze whine.

Until then, what can be done? Punish refs for blown calls/no calls? Always play pass no matter what? I'm just tired of teams, especially hunh ones, getting away with this cheat.

AlexanderFan · Sep 20, 2015

I suggested the replay booth. There's more than one person up there and it wouldn't be that hard for them to look in on those plays.

Rest assured it is on purpose and will only continue to get worse until they start hitting these teams with penalties.

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tideronthehooch · Sep 20, 2015

Could not agree more! Refs make that call in HS without a problem, so don't know why it's so difficult in college.

Nolan · Sep 20, 2015

When it happened and they threw a flag I was sure it was going to be called. Instead, it was an iffy illegal forward pass. A brain fart by the ref(s)?

tideronthehooch · Sep 20, 2015

I also don't understand why the booth can review whether the QB was over the LOS, but not a lineman. Seems like it would be an easy thing to review.

rolltide7854 · Sep 20, 2015

I agree. I had to explain why he was so wide open when they are allowed to go 5 yards past the line it destroys all the keys they look for. Until today though I didn't know the whole body had to be past the LOS when the ball was released.

CrimsonNagus · Sep 20, 2015

tideronthehooch said:
Could not agree more! Refs make that call in HS without a problem, so don't know why it's so difficult in college.

They call it in the NFL as well, it seems to only be a problem for college refs.

TideFan in AU · Sep 20, 2015

These "Pop passes" are usually mutually exclusive with linemen downfield. If the QB's back foot is reviewable, a 320 lb OL 5 yards down field should be too.

NationalTitles18 · Sep 20, 2015

TideFan in AU said:
These "Pop passes" are usually mutually exclusive with linemen downfield. If the QB's back foot is reviewable, a 320 lb OL 5 yards down field should be too.

*Like*

CB4 · Sep 20, 2015

It is a "risk/reward" situation for guys like Malzahn and Freeze. They know, with the speed of the college game, the three yard buffer (as opposed to the NFL rule of one yard) makes it more difficult to call. Three yard becomes five, or six, or more. It gives them an advantaged and they will continue to exploit it until the rule is changed or consistently called.

What is asinine is that it was missed by at least two SEC crews on the same day after being declared "a point of emphasis" this year. The head of SEC officiating should be absolutely embarrassed.

A friend said the crew working the USC/UGA game missed it as well in that game, although I did not see it.

CB4 · Sep 20, 2015

RollTide1017 said:
They call it in the NFL as well, it seems to only be a problem for college refs.

In the NFL, it is one yard. A much smaller area to concentrate on. Secondly, the NFL officials are paid professionals. It's their primary job. In college, it is a bunch of bankers, lawyers, accountants, and insurance salesmen doing it as "weekend sideline job". I've spoken with one (he's well into his forties) and he will tell you the speed of the game presents the biggest challenge.

My position is this: If your going to have a fifty year old, overweight, part time guy that runs a 6.5/40 calling a game with athletes running a 4.5/40, then make it easy on them. Use what the professionals use...a one yard limit.

bamablood6 · Sep 20, 2015

CB4 said:
In the NFL, it is one yard. A much smaller area to concentrate on. Secondly, the NFL officials are paid professionals. It's their primary job. In college, it is a bunch of bankers, lawyers, accountants, and insurance salesmen doing it as "weekend sideline job". I've spoken with one (he's well into his forties) and he will tell you the speed of the game presents the biggest challenge.

My position is this: If your going to have a fifty year old, overweight, part time guy that runs a 6.5/40 calling a game with athletes running a 4.5/40, then make it easy on them. Use what the professionals use...a one yard limit.

Even with 5 turnovers, the 2 plays that broke Bama's back and finally lost the game was that fluke pass when Kelly thru up ball while almost sacked and bounced off Fitz helmet right to running WR and that missed OL #70, 5 yards down the field. 2 TDs that truly should not have happened without sorry refs and pure luck. 13 points in a 6 point loss. Got to pull it together, coach and play better.

dvldog · Sep 20, 2015

I thought it was good that the announce team pointed it out on reply. Maybe gives it a little more emphasis.

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Alasippi · Sep 20, 2015

Amazing how a lineman six yards down the field can get a receiver 30 yards behind the secondary

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Snuffy Smith · Sep 20, 2015

With today's technology it is an easy call. Why do we have to rely on the refs on the field to catch something that they don't seem to be willing to watch for?

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BamaBrass · Sep 20, 2015

It is getting ridiculous! It should be a reviewable play. Change that and get rid of the lame targeting rule. In the old days, that used to be unnecessary roughness. If things don't change and change in the offseason, I may just look for better things to do on Saturdays in the fall.

bigjue24 · Sep 20, 2015

Alasippi said:
Amazing how a lineman six yards down the field can get a receiver 30 yards behind the secondary
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I agree, but the entire scheme of the play is do something illegal. I agree with what Jess said about a combo coverage for plays like that, but that can be hard to implement. It's tough for the secondary to know when to go to that.

Alasippi · Sep 20, 2015

bigjue24 said:
I agree, but the entire scheme of the play is do something illegal. I agree with what Jess said about a combo coverage for plays like that, but that can be hard to implement. It's tough for the secondary to know when to go to that.

What you say is true and I don't like the rule either. But there's also a rule that in man to man coverage you don't leave your man until the ball is thrown or the QB is past the line of scrimmage. The way it is now though that play is indeed almost impossible to defend, so you're right about that.

CullmanTide · Sep 20, 2015

Right now the answer for us is to start doing the same things our deceitful opponents do. The surest way to get something done is for Alabama to win a game that way.

CrimsonNagus · Sep 20, 2015

You're probably right. If Alabama ever wins a game with a linemen downfield the entire universe will demand a rule change.

So, linemen downfield... something has to change!

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