“The Wedge Rule” and What It Could Mean for the Special Teams
While the Competition Committee established new ways to protect the more costly investments, the new “wedge rule” may be contrary to the safety concerns they’ve preached so adamantly. The Associated Press briefly defined the penalty associated with the rule change.
On kickoffs, no blocking wedge of more than two players will be allowed. A 15-yard penalty will go to a violating team.
FoxSports elaborated a bit more on what will now be considered illegal:
On kickoffs, after the ball is kicked, no more than two receiving team players may intentionally form a wedge in an attempt to block for the runner. An illegal wedge is defined as three or more players lined up shoulder-to-shoulder within two yards of each other.
Apparently, setting up a wall of blockers for a return man was a safety concern. But I fail to see how removing blockers for a return man improves player safety. Blockers prevent a clear path to the returner. How are two isolated blockers supposed to protect against speeding men converging on their runner?
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQr3B0QbYBk
With only two-men, a speeding coverage guy would’ve had a clear shot at laying Washington out before he has a chance to cut left. So, not only is a return man a bit more exposed to a high-speed gunner, but the entire return game is going to be in the hands of an observing referee.
How is a referee going to adequately determine two-yard distances when a play is in motion? Blockers have to move in accordance with the coverage team. The definition is too loose to overlook. What’s going to define an intentional wedge?
This is going to be the cause for a lot of aggravating flags. A 15-yard penalty is going to be absolutely deflating to a team trying to win the field position battle. Imagine Washington springs for a nice 45-yard return, but one of the refs throws a flag because he believes a wedge was tighter than two yards apart?
Fortunately, in Westhoff I trust. I’m sure he’ll concoct a sufficient blocking scheme to play within the new rules. Or at the very least, a tricky coverage scheme that will make wedges tighten up and force a few penalties.
But this still feels a lot more like a liability than a safety precaution.
22 Responses to “The Wedge Rule” and What It Could Mean for the Special Teams
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I’ll have to look at the rule and set ups on specials, but I think it’s more about the lead blocker and the “wedge buster” than anything else.
Often last season I think David Bowens would play the “wedge buster” or “wedgebuster buster” (as in that clip) role …
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DKnyj says:
This crap! How long have they been doing this? It’s like totally a part of the game?! Spare me – this is turning into a league of sissies.
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96debacle says:
Great call, ’cause all those fantastic exciting kickoff returns were really bring the game down…
Well i hope your right Angel and Westhoff comes up with some creative blocking schemes. -
Rick says:
Lets just take off their pads and give them freaking flags. Turning the NFL into a bunch of pansies with all these new rules
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JerryB says:
Nice block by Brad Smith on the return.
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I wouldn’t be surprise if the Patriots had a hand in this rule too. Is it just me or do they have alot of rules made after their players?
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Joe B. says:
Has anyone seen any explanation whatsoever for why this rule is being introduced? Why the hell doesn’t the NFL understand that LESS penalties are needed, not more. Now not only will we get more huge third-down stops negated, we’ll get huge kick returns called back more often too. What a joke.
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brian311 says:
as basset said, i dont think this rule is directed at returners. i bet a disproportionate amount of injuries occur on special teams, and many are related to wedge related collisions.
i am sure the leage has studied this. i doubt they made this rule up out of thin air
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Peter says:
I’m glad the Jets hired a defensive coordinator in a league that no longer wants anyone to play defense.
At this point, what can a defensive coordinator do to stop another team from scoring? Can’t touch the receiver, can’t breathe on the QB, can’t hit the linemen with a slap to the head or below the knees, can’t hit anyone in the helmet, or with your helmet, or grab them by the collar.
Might as well shorten the field to 50 yards, usually only 8 players and put the field indoors. Wait, that sounds familiar… -
JDB says:
just curious, didn’t the league have an all time high number of kick return touchdowns last year.
if so maybe this is just an excuse to curtail them?
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nyr2k2 says:
The wussification of the NFL continues.
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Jets-Fan-4-Life says:
Hey Peter your right….I feel like I should scream Go “Red Dogs”!
Arena football is so lame, nothing more stupid then fat hot-tub girls at the Continental Arena.
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knicks85 says:
this rule is made because there are 4 or 5 highlights from last year where guys get crushed by the wedge players and they dont want the health and safety of guys who are getting crushed by 3 guys particulary head shots. this is bad for the jets. no question bout it.
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Cabras says:
Jet Fan For Life-
I like that idea, you can actually have a “flex” wedge like the old cowboys had on their d line, 3 guys in front 2 yds apart, and 2-3 guys 2 yds behind them also 2 yds apart.
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I keep trying to understand how the refs, who seem to have trouble with the current game having more rules to worry about.
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SackDance99 says:
Much ado about nothing. So, the wedge goes down to two men. Leon can still have a lead blocker and, as the clip shows, often the wedge is a decoy. That wedge looked like it was set up for a return right, Leon went left and that’s all she wrote. Westhof’s a smart guy, I wouldn’t worry too much about this.
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Lucas says:
No more Leon highlight until we know he gets a well earned extension! Seeing how great this guy is and thinking about all the big plays he makes, has made me more nervous about why he has yet to sign an extension.
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JesusRevis says:
The Jets will sign Leon to an extension during the season once the cap situation is clear. If not, they will franchise him next year and try to get a long term deal done. I cant imagine any scenario where the Jets would let Leon go.
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Ok, I still see a way around this.
Of the three men have the one in the middle come up about a yard or two.