NFL moves umpires to offensive backfield

[Palo20]

There goes the Pats' offense....

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

It should be interesting to see if this will really eliminate pick plays. You still see them from time to time even away from the umpire but having him behind the offensive backfield i'm thinking he and the other officials will get to see such attempts more easily.

The only picks being talked about here are when the umpire is used as a pick. The pick plays run by WRs won't be effected at all.

[elgreazy1]

I think, if implemented right, this move could add to help the game alot but it could also be abused.

Holding calls and those related work two fold now. The ref can now pay full attention to the trenches without the worry of being leveled by LBs on the move and players coming towards him. This means that blocks such as clips and cuts will be in better view so the OL may get more calls against them and the DL might actually get some love. The ref will be watching more for arms to outside the framework as well, so those kinds of holds - generally on plays moving outside of the tackle box - will get more calls. On the other hand, this can be an OL's dream; you are taught to stay within the framework of the DL and now, with being able to use his body to shield his hands, he can get in, grab and hold with much less penalty.

[p_rushing]

There are going to be more holding calls and more contact in the middle of the field. The LBs will get away with illegal contact and the WRs get away with more picks.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Quote: Originally Posted by z Revis

What took them so long? They should've done this years ago. There's no reason for the umpire to be on the defensive side of the ball, in the middle of all the action. It's dangerous and all it essentially does is give the offense more of an advantage by being able to exploit pick plays with your receivers.

I agree not very logical to put a umpire right in the middle of the action when you have these huge LB's and WR's running at full speed all around them.

Thats like putting a ref in basketball right in front of the hoop in the paint. That would be funny though seeing a ref get tea-bagged.

[shotgun styles]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alliball

So using the ref as a pick is cheating now?

Yes. That would be a perfect example of cheating. Even the NFL says it's cheating and cited it as a reason for moving the umpire.

If the NFL calls it cheating, I'm pretty safe in doing so as well.

[WSU151]

Quote: Originally Posted by shotgun styles

Yes. That would be a perfect example of cheating. Even the NFL says it's cheating and cited it as a reason for moving the umpire. If the NFL calls it cheating, I'm pretty safe in doing so as well.

It's not cheating, guy. Using the ref as a pick was never against the rules. If you read the article, the move is to protect the safety of the umpires.

If you find the rule where a receiver can't use the umpire as a pick, please post it.

[Alliball]

Quote: Originally Posted by WSU151

It's not cheating, guy. Using the ref as a pick was never against the rules. If you read the article, the move is to protect the safety of the umpires. If you find the rule where a receiver can't use the umpire as a pick, please post it.

He can't because we all know the rule does not exist.

I can't even imagine the dude on the playground as a kid.