Here we go again. New emphasis on two rules this year.
1. Illegal Contact fouls - This will be a blast, when there's a flag on almost every pass play because of this emphasis. Per the linked article:
Looking forward to another season from the National Flag League!
1. Illegal Contact fouls - This will be a blast, when there's a flag on almost every pass play because of this emphasis. Per the linked article:
2. Roughing the passer -An NFL spokesperson confirmed to Kevin Seifert of ESPN that the NFL has asked referees to "pay particular attention" to illegal contact fouls in 2022. Seifert also reported that a big drop in illegal contact calls in 2021 led the league to make that foul a focus for referees. Just 36 illegal contact fouls were called in 2021, while the per-year average from 2002-2020 was 97.
This will almost certainly result in more illegal contact fouls, which appears to be what the NFL wants. And historically that has proved to be the case. The NFL made illegal contact fouls a point of focus in 2004 and 2014, and both times that resulted in a spike of illegal contact fouls throughout those seasons.
Partially true, but you know there will be multiple non-calls made, particularly against the usual suspects, that should have been flagged.The NFL clarified that "contact to the helmet and below the knee area must be forcible" for a roughing the passer foul to be flagged. Last season it seemed like roughing the passer was called anytime even a fingertip touched the QB, so this point of focus could actually be a welcome development for fans.
Looking forward to another season from the National Flag League!