News: “Tom Brady Rule” Amends Roughing the Passer
The Competition Committee has been hard at work, looking for ways to make the NFL more competitive (read: less dangerous). Christopher Gasper of the Boston Globe details the amended rule to protect quarterback’s knees after Pollard delivered the season-ending hit to Brady’s knee.
The fifth provision of Rule 12, Section 2, Article 12 (roughing the passer) says that: “A rushing defender is prohibited from forcibly hitting in the knee area or below a passer who has one or both feet on the ground, even if the initial contact is above the knee. It is not a foul if the defender is blocked (or fouled) into the passer and has no opportunity to avoid him.”
[Jeff] Fisher said the feeling was that a play like the one Pollard made is one that can be avoided.
“It’s a player that’s down and then he does that second act where he’s getting up and intentionally rolling into the quarterback, or where he’s getting up and he lunges at his legs,” Fisher said. “We’ve got a lot of shots where guys have gone down, crawled, and swiped. We don’t feel like that’s potentially as injurious to the quarterback than the hit where the shoulder comes down to the knee or the planted leg.”
I understand that this is a business of protecting investments, so I can’t argue the logic behind the amendment of the rule too much. But I’m having trouble determining how this rule is going to change defensive play.
Is this to say that if a defender is blocked out of a play that he might as well give up, stay down, and not make any second effort? According to Fisher, that extra effort is no longer welcome.
I don’t recall any amendments after Kimo von Oelhoeffen fell into Carson Palmer’s knee. Bob Kraft can explain that one for us, though.
“I think all the quarterbacks in this league are critical to what the game is about,” said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “It’s like if Peyton Manning were gone for a season, I think the whole NFL suffers, the same way the NFL suffered with Tommy (lol) out. So whatever we can do to protect quarterbacks and to minimize the opportunity of them being taken out with a year-ending injury I would support.
“It’s not good for the league. What makes it special is special players. It’s like going to see a great movie and the star isn’t in the movie. It’s the same principle.”
O rly?
52 Responses to News: “Tom Brady Rule” Amends Roughing the Passer
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junior says:
What i would like to know is if the defender has to basically get up and go after the quarterback then is it a holding call if the defensive player is down and the offensive lineman lays on top of him and doesnt give him the opportunity to get back up?
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The Ed(itor) says:
Why don’t they just put flags on the qb and if you grab a flag he’s down. This is a rule for Wimps which the NFL is becoming.
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TJBfan says:
I wonder…if this had happened to like Jon Kitna would anyone have cared and would this rule now exist?
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BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
This, like the Hines Ward rule, will not be enforced just likethe Roy Williams horsecollar rule. Even if it is, how can a player not go “all out”. He gets paid to make a play, not flinch due to some nebulous rule. If guys can’t keep their helmets off of other players helmets, how can they possibly pay attention to these dopey rules.
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hank/naples says:
PrEd(itor):
This is first comment you have posted that is somewhat objective. Congratulations !!!
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…I’m still waiting for the Brandon Short rule…
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By the way for all you suckers putting up your hard earned money for PSL licenses, be aware of thtee items:
1. After 30 or 35 years when the JETS decide to build another stadium, your PSL fees are not transferrable to the next new stadium. You will have to pay another PSL fee. So all that commentary about PSLs being an investment is BS.
2. If you don’t buy JETS playoff tickets, you can lose your PSL seat licence with no rebate from the JETS.
3. Lastly, the NFL is going to go 18 games probably in 2010. But instead of adding the games in late August, the geniuses at the NFL are going to add the games to January. Pushing the Super Bowl to mid February. Makes that decision to add a dome to the new stadium shear genius. What you tell me there is no dome on the new stadium?? So in your $140 or higher seats you can freeze your butt in the new fan friendly stadium.
Cheers!!
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largebarge says:
Can someone please explain to me “How the N.F.L. suffered last year with “Tommy’s” absence”??? Thats one of the dumbest comments ever!!! I was still attending, and watching football games last year after “Tommy” got hurt…….Were you guys???
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The Editor
I friggin’ love cold weather games!!!! Strap it on, Bee-Atches!!!!
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mole57 says:
Didn’t they just pass a Wes Welker rule this week too?
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johnl says:
the nfl should trade their trousers for skirts RIGHT NOW
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Joe B. says:
Yeah, this is exactly what the NFL needs. More roughing the passer penalties. It seems like every game has at least one chickens**t RTP call, and now the refs have another thing to overreact to, awesome! I can’t wait to see how many 3rd down stops are negated this season because a defender grazed the quarterback’s shoelace.
Oh and Bob Kraft is the biggest douche on the planet. I’m sure he would’ve been calling for this rule if Peyton Manning got his knee blown out instead of Brady.
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I plan on getting into all the rules tomorrow once I make sure I understand them a bit better. The “Wes Welker Rule” bothered me, too.
But I was most taken aback by the kick return rule. Apparently a wedge can only be created by two players now? I really need to make sure I grasp that.
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Le'Sean Roberts says:
What this? It’s basketball now? Might as well play volleyball or something.
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Bill says:
Its not even the protecting the players or “putting on skirts” that bothers me…Its that now they’re making the rules EVEN MORE objective for the referees…this is something thats probably never going to be called the same way twice, like pass interference or illegal contact…Can we please take the games out of the referees hands…After a year that saw the worst officiating blunders culminate in a horribly officiated Super Bowl, they’re going to give more power to the refs? Not take it away? or clear things up for them? or make them go through workshops or anything on how to officiate well? This is seriously the best step for a league that is becoming so ridiculously out of touch with its fans?
And on a cold weather game note: I would love to see a Super Bowl played in cold weather…
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oh and replace that original “objective” with “subjective”…that should make more sense now
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JustAGreenGuy says:
Sad. Not good for an attacking defense.
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EastSide says:
*Robert Kraft = NFL in mind of Robert Kraft
Statement makes sense. BFFs look out for eachother. -
That new wedge rule is probably because Larry Izzo is on the Jets instead of the Pats.
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SackDance99 says:
Let’s see, in 1967 and 1968 the Raiders: (i) broke Joe Willie’s cheekbone, (ii) shoved his face in mud so he couldn’t breath, (iii) kneed him in the head giving him a concussion, and (iv) punched him in the balls after he released a pass out of frustration that they couldn’t sack him. Oh, and every team targeted Joe Willie’s fragile knees. What a joke.
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BigKatFan says:
This new rule is a slap-no; a great big loogie in the face of Carson Palmer. If the NFL gave a rat’s furry a** about QB safety, they would have changed the rule book before 2006. This is just to protect their golden brat, who for one GLORIOUS moment, could not be shielded from the ruthless blitz of Bernard Pollard.
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JesusRevis says:
In fairness Carson Palmer was mentioned when they created this rule, I guess you can say the Brady injury was the last straw. The rule that I am concerned with is the one about wedges on kick returns. We all know how Mike Westoff loves to create that wedge for Leon, so how will this effect us?
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Sack, thats an ignorant comment. Every player was getting that same treatment in the 60′s, not just Namath
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I remember when they first instituted the “in the grasp” rule, Jack Lambert suggested that they should just have the quarterbacks wear dresses instead of uniforms.
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cabras says:
I say they should do away with o line, and d line and just play 7 on 7. tha way the quarteback can play until he is 50!
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GoalieTJ1 says:
Thats two rules for the Patriots/Brady….Forward arm motion/tuck rule and now this one
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John says:
LOL: “Why don’t they just put flags on the qb and if you grab a flag he’s down”
Such a difficult penalty to enforce… and yes, you are telling a player to basically give up once he’s down. -
Ilan says:
Would the NFL like to rub quarterbacks gaping vagina*s any harder?
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JDB says:
put em all in skirts, and just play two hand touch.
they wear all this armor and because someone gets hurt they panic.
am i willing to sacrifice stars to keep the game violent. Hell Yeah
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Bill says:
One step away from what made the game great and one step closer to flag football.
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Always about the ratings, the same way they are going to make an 18 game schedule, they say it is for the fans, but it is because the TV, and Beer sponsors hate to have to pay for wasted games. Money Money Money.
It is unbelievable how this game has chnged over the last 20-25 years, no wedge on a kick return? No wedge on an onside kick? How long before we do not even recognize the game.
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Matt says:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nflnation/0-6-544/Ryan-on-Gholston—I-believe-in-the-young-man-.html
An article bout Rex Ryans thoughts on Gholston, its from ESPN
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TOON2388 says:
Is Goodell turning into Stern? This reeks of something that rigged league would do for the Bulls. during the JBA era – guess we look forward to some of our guys getting suspended for leaving the bench to break up a fight. This is going to have a big impact on teams that play NE because in the back of their minds they know this is the BRADY RULE – they will not be going all out unless they are 100% sure they get to him.
This “point of emphasis” stuff is a joke – it basically says “hey this has always been against the rules but has never been enforced” – see NE DBs against Indy in 2003 – hey if they are not going to throw flags why change anything – remember the flag the refs swallowed in Oakland when Woodson mugged Santana? next play Chad gets picked.
I guarantee you that Rex will live with giving up some big plays by going balls out after Brady. Hopefully we get him as jittery as Tony Eason was against the Bears.
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sjfalcon2001 says:
Well, you might as well keep the red jersey on the QB for the whole season instead of just camp, because that’s what’s next. Honestly the league has been heading that way so the Brady rule is not something that bothers me too much.
What I’m more worried about is the “Welker rule” because it leaves things so open to a subjective decision by the referee. I get that helmet to helmet hits are bad, but the rule change says that anything leading into the head gets the flag–elbow, forearm, shoulder, anything. Now all the receivers have to do to draw the flag is duck their heads into the tackle and make sure their helmets are hit. I know its dangerous to do, but you know coaches like Belichick are going to make their guys do it.
And why is the Wedge rule being changed? What is the premise behind it?
The other rule about blindside hits away from the play is something I agree with. It’ll keep guys like Warren Sapp from running across the field and hitting a guy 50 yards behind the play when he’s not looking and it WILL make the game safer.
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Oh and Goalie, it’s actually 3 Patriots rules (and counting):
1) Tuck rule
2) Welker rule
3) Brady rule -
Why is the wedge rule being changed? Anyone remember Leon’s untouched kick return TD against the Cheaters in Foxboro?
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NYDREAMER says:
I bet the Redskins wish they can get some of that $100 million back from Haynsworth. He is now paid like a QB. THis new rule will give him the excuse to take that extra effort off.
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James in TN says:
Can someone clarify? Is it Two hand touch or Flag football? It seems a little vague.
Face it the commissioner is a Patriots fan, and any thing the NFL can do to help the patsies will be done.
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Bent says: I have several comments about this –
1. Normally they wait for the Jets to be screwed and then change the rule when it’s too late to help them. (ie the pushout rule came in after the terrible call cost them a game in Cleveland and they are now looking at reducing the number of West Coast trips a team must make in a year when the Jets suffered so badly with four last year – remember the Pats only had to make two because their trips were grouped together). Nice to see them introduce a rule when it’s too late for the Pats to benefit, although I’m surprised they didn’t retroactively award last year’s Superbowl to them.
2. The Wedge busting rule is seriously anti-Jets. Izzo is one of the league’s best wedge busters, so his usefulness will be marginalized. Also, the Jets use this tactic to free Washington a lot, so his effectiveness may also reduce next year. Not sure what this rule achieves. Are these wedges dangerous? Don’t the league want lots of exciting kick returns?
3. The Raiders specifically targetted Namath more than any other player because they found it the only effective way of stopping him. My friend, a Raiders fan, read about this in a book and relayed the story to me. So, Sack’s comment was far from “ignorant”. The toughness of guys from this era, playing through pain, not flopping to draw penalties etc, is sadly something that’s a thing of the past for whatever (medical?) reason. Would a guy like Brady have lasted half a season in those days?
4. Guaranteed next year: the Jets QB’s knees will be smashed into by Vince Wilfork who will be cleared of any wrongdoing after protesting “It’s a legal move I do all the time…I call it my crab tackle.”
5. Last season was far more exciting for neutral fans because we didn’t have the Pats in the playoffs. Bob Kraft clearly can’t see the bigger picture. 90% of fans hate the Patriots, Bob and they bore me to death except when they’re losing. It was also refreshing to see a postseason without Brady’s smug sense of entitlement and classless trash talking.
6. Totally agree with the comment that they are making these calls (especially the Welker rule) subjective. And we know that whenever that is the case, the officiating usually favors the Pats. Great.
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Bent- I enjoyed that post. God I hate the Pats and Brady. Wilfork is trash too.
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Dan in Ok says:
I hope Bart Scott breaks both of brady’s legs next year
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GP says:
The pussification of the NFL continues. In ten years, I’m not going to be able to tell football apart from chess.
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BrooklynJets says:
Can someone please xplain the wedge rule change?
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Brooklyn,
The new rule is you can’t use more than two guys to form a blocking wedge on kickoffs now. -
Thanks for the defense, Bent. My point was that star QBs of the 60s, 70s and 80s were specifically targeted and hit hard. They were clubbed, punched, speared and cheap shot. “Kill the QB” was an accepted defensive strategy. Now, being aggressive and trying to “kill Tom Brady” means that you also risk a 15-yard penalty, which obviously tempers aggressiveness. If you wonder why Tom Brady will be close to a 70% completion rate, coinsider that he’s bigger and stronger than the average QB back in the day and he has nowhere near the fear of a career-ending hit. So, why not sit back there forever until Moss comes free? Plus, you have to hit a big guy hard to bring him down. How exactly will a smaller man take down Brady if he doesn’t tackle him low? Also, just when the Jets, the Pats’ chief divisional rival, bring in a Ryan (Buddy was the master of the “kill the QB” defense and Rex didn’t fall far from the tree), all of a sudden we have the “Brady Rule.” It’s a joke and dishonors the game.
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I may be sick but watching this makes me happy every time. Looks like it hurts………….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNNssHu6CWk -
pete f says:
This is such BS. This is all because Brady was a “star player” Does the NFL care when a d-lineman goes down when he gets blocked below the waist….NO
The NFL is trying to protect its star players, but how quickly they forget that there would be no Tom Brady if the guy in front of him didn’t go down in a brutal hit….and there would be no Matt Cassell if Brady didn’t go down because of that hit.
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This rule just makes me sad. I guess maybe they should make it so offensive linemen can’t block players into the ground in the first place. Sigh… I know, I know…
Television games are going to be more like “And here we are, back from another penalty folks…”
The last time I checked, this is a CONTACT sport.
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Harvlis says:
If they took fighting out of hockey, I guess they can take hitting out of football. This was a horrible rule change. Maybe the QB should wear a uniform with red in the the designated spots that you can hit him. This is sickening. .
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SeackDance99
You are so right !!. I was field level, end zone looking att he Snakes uniform very much stained with blood when we played Huston, compliments of the Sack exchange. It was incredible he was still out there playing.
If I was a defensive player in the NFL I would be furious. They are ruining this game with all these new p**sy rules. How are refs going to call these penalties? How do you determine whether or not the defender was completely on the ground? Now is this going to lead to even more challenges and reviewing plays? Stop ruining the NFL