Elimination of the Force Out Rule

BleedBurgundy · 08-21-2008, 04:16 PM

Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on something I've noticed while watching preseason football this year...

As most everyone on this site probably knows, this past offseason the NFL competition committee chose to eliminate the "Force Out" rule whereby a receiver can not get both feet in bounds but still have a catch ruled a catch if it is determined that he would have landed in bounds with control had the defense not intervened. (that was really convoluted, but you know what I mean...)

So far in the preseason I have noticed every defense making a concerted effort to push WR's out of bounds before they can get both feet in. I think this is going to have a huge impact on Offensive strategy this year. Offenses are going to have to limit the amount of sideline patterns run by receivers or come up with some sort of adjustment to keep defenders from forcing offensive player's out. Whether it's keeping the ball low on outside routes, simply throwing to the inside shoulder or some other method, I'm really looking forward to seeing how offensive coordinators adjust.

GhettoDogAllStars · 08-21-2008, 04:19 PM

It's possible this rule will result in more pass interference penalties. If DBs become accustomed to push a receiver near the sideline, it might be hard for them to wait until the ball gets there.

As for OCs, I think they'll work on getting the ball in lower, so the receiver can make the catch with his feet on the ground.

BigSKINBauer · 08-21-2008, 04:27 PM

i don't like it. Its easier on the refs but i don't care, their job is supposed to be hard. Can a DB catch a player and carry him out of bounds? That would be dumb. BUt we will see some big hits on the sideline this year. I can't wait to see landry rock a mofo out of bounds.

MTK · 08-21-2008, 04:44 PM

I've definitely noticed DBs trying to shove guys out near the sidelines. I'm on the fence with the new rule. The way it was before it was too subjective and the refs blow enough calls as it is.

DaveyFoSho · 08-21-2008, 04:59 PM

Terrible rule!! If the refs did not want pressure why sign up for one of the most difficult jobs in the world?? No matter what, your call will piss someone off somewhere. I really think it could really kill a few games. Give it one year and they will change it back.

BleedBurgundy · 08-21-2008, 05:02 PM

I do like removing the ambiguity from any rule wherever possible, so I am in favor of this change. I think this is going to take a little pressure off of the DBs so I can see this helping us. Like someone else said, watching Landry take advantage of the new rule is going to be pretty sweet.

J. Spanky · 08-21-2008, 05:25 PM

i hated this rule change (rule-removal, whatever) from the start. the league should have just allowed the force outs, when called, to be reviewable (which they should have been in the first place).

OR, alternatively, the rule should have been changed to allow one foot in-bounds to constitute a catch.

i FULLY expect this change, as it currently stands, to be re-visited next off-season.

steveo395 · 08-21-2008, 05:27 PM

I like this rule. If you catch the ball out of bounds, it should be called out of bounds no matter what. Football is a contact sport, forcing someone out of bounds should count as being out of bounds. It also doesn't let the refs screw up even more calls in the game. And the first time Landry hits somebody out of bounds before their feet touch, everyone will love this rule.

Daseal · 08-21-2008, 05:31 PM

I love this rule change. The offense constantly gets more and more favorable rules. Finally they threw the defense a bone.

J. Spanky · 08-21-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveo395

And the first time Landry hits somebody out of bounds before their feet touch, everyone will love this rule.

yeah, and then when santana gets forced out of the end zone, you'll hate it.

as i said above, force outs simply need to be reviewable.

jgalecpa · 08-21-2008, 05:34 PM

I am all for removing subjectivity from all calls, whenever possible (anyone see any of the Gymnastics BS in the Olympics, for example).

I think the ability of the NFL player to get two feet inbound after making a spectacular catch is one of the most amazing feats in athletics.

J-Dawg.

firstdown · 08-21-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveo395

I like this rule. If you catch the ball out of bounds, it should be called out of bounds no matter what. Football is a contact sport, forcing someone out of bounds should count as being out of bounds. It also doesn't let the refs screw up even more calls in the game. And the first time Landry hits somebody out of bounds before their feet touch, everyone will love this rule.

I agree with you and now the rule is the rule and the ref's cannot come in and make up their own mind as to what happened. All WR's and QB's have this rule so it is fair. I think last year some games where decided by the ref's saying a WR was pushed out and it was questionable at best.

sandtrapjack · 08-21-2008, 06:15 PM

This rule definitely will make the 2-minute offense more interesting.

jgalecpa · 08-21-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

This rule definitely will make the 2-minute offense more interesting.

That's a heck of a point.

JWsleep · 08-21-2008, 06:44 PM

Given that we have a defense as well as an offense, I'm not too upset about this. Just be sure our DBs are pushing people out as much as they can--with Landry, this won't be a problem, no doubt.

Plus, our big rookies will probably be good at avoiding this problem. Now Santana and the little guys, that's another story.

But it applies to everyone one in the league, so it's hard to complain too much.

08-21-2008, 04:16 PM	#1
BleedBurgundy Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,471	Elimination of the Force Out Rule Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on something I've noticed while watching preseason football this year... As most everyone on this site probably knows, this past offseason the NFL competition committee chose to eliminate the "Force Out" rule whereby a receiver can not get both feet in bounds but still have a catch ruled a catch if it is determined that he would have landed in bounds with control had the defense not intervened. (that was really convoluted, but you know what I mean...) So far in the preseason I have noticed every defense making a concerted effort to push WR's out of bounds before they can get both feet in. I think this is going to have a huge impact on Offensive strategy this year. Offenses are going to have to limit the amount of sideline patterns run by receivers or come up with some sort of adjustment to keep defenders from forcing offensive player's out. Whether it's keeping the ball low on outside routes, simply throwing to the inside shoulder or some other method, I'm really looking forward to seeing how offensive coordinators adjust. __________________ "All natural institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit." Thomas Paine

08-21-2008, 04:19 PM	#2
GhettoDogAllStars Playmaker Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Age: 42 Posts: 2,762	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule It's possible this rule will result in more pass interference penalties. If DBs become accustomed to push a receiver near the sideline, it might be hard for them to wait until the ball gets there. As for OCs, I think they'll work on getting the ball in lower, so the receiver can make the catch with his feet on the ground. __________________ To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.

08-21-2008, 04:27 PM	#3
BigSKINBauer Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Washington, DC Age: 36 Posts: 5,688	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule i don't like it. Its easier on the refs but i don't care, their job is supposed to be hard. Can a DB catch a player and carry him out of bounds? That would be dumb. BUt we will see some big hits on the sideline this year. I can't wait to see landry rock a mofo out of bounds.

08-21-2008, 04:44 PM	#4
MTK \m/ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NY Age: 52 Posts: 99,569	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule I've definitely noticed DBs trying to shove guys out near the sidelines. I'm on the fence with the new rule. The way it was before it was too subjective and the refs blow enough calls as it is. __________________ Support The Warpath! \| Warpath Shop

08-21-2008, 04:59 PM	#5
DaveyFoSho Special Teams Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Potomac, MD Age: 38 Posts: 304	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule Terrible rule!! If the refs did not want pressure why sign up for one of the most difficult jobs in the world?? No matter what, your call will piss someone off somewhere. I really think it could really kill a few games. Give it one year and they will change it back. __________________ DaveyFoSho

08-21-2008, 05:02 PM	#6
BleedBurgundy Playmaker Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,471	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule I do like removing the ambiguity from any rule wherever possible, so I am in favor of this change. I think this is going to take a little pressure off of the DBs so I can see this helping us. Like someone else said, watching Landry take advantage of the new rule is going to be pretty sweet. __________________ "All natural institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit." Thomas Paine

08-21-2008, 05:25 PM	#7
J. Spanky Special Teams Join Date: May 2007 Location: off the grid Posts: 192	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule i hated this rule change (rule-removal, whatever) from the start. the league should have just allowed the force outs, when called, to be reviewable (which they should have been in the first place). OR, alternatively, the rule should have been changed to allow one foot in-bounds to constitute a catch. i FULLY expect this change, as it currently stands, to be re-visited next off-season. __________________ "75% of the earth is covered by water and the rest is covered by Smoot" Last edited by J. Spanky; 08-21-2008 at 05:30 PM.

08-21-2008, 05:27 PM	#8
steveo395 The Starter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,674	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule I like this rule. If you catch the ball out of bounds, it should be called out of bounds no matter what. Football is a contact sport, forcing someone out of bounds should count as being out of bounds. It also doesn't let the refs screw up even more calls in the game. And the first time Landry hits somebody out of bounds before their feet touch, everyone will love this rule. __________________

08-21-2008, 05:31 PM	#9
Daseal Puppy Kicker Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arlington, Virginia Age: 41 Posts: 8,341	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule I love this rule change. The offense constantly gets more and more favorable rules. Finally they threw the defense a bone. __________________ Best. Player. Available.

08-21-2008, 05:34 PM	#11
jgalecpa Special Teams Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 458	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule I am all for removing subjectivity from all calls, whenever possible (anyone see any of the Gymnastics BS in the Olympics, for example). I think the ability of the NFL player to get two feet inbound after making a spectacular catch is one of the most amazing feats in athletics. J-Dawg. __________________ Theismann: You're wrong, the rule is wrong, the refs are wrong, and I'm right

08-21-2008, 06:15 PM	#13
sandtrapjack The Starter Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,994	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule This rule definitely will make the 2-minute offense more interesting.

08-21-2008, 06:44 PM	#15
JWsleep Propane and propane accessories Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, TX Age: 55 Posts: 4,719	Re: Elimination of the Force Out Rule Given that we have a defense as well as an offense, I'm not too upset about this. Just be sure our DBs are pushing people out as much as they can--with Landry, this won't be a problem, no doubt. Plus, our big rookies will probably be good at avoiding this problem. Now Santana and the little guys, that's another story. But it applies to everyone one in the league, so it's hard to complain too much. __________________ Hail from Houston!

Elimination of the Force Out Rule

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