https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27282277/nfl-officials-emphasize-offensive-holding-19BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Offensive holding will be a significant point of emphasis for NFL officials this season, raising the possibility of a spike in penalties as players adjust to elevated rule enforcement.
According to guidance released over the weekend, existing rules on holding "will be more strictly enforced this season, particularly on the backside of the run play or line of scrimmage." Referee Adrian Hill, who visited the Chicago Bears training camp Monday, said the league is trying to eliminate a technique sometimes known as the "lobster block," where offensive linemen grab defenders around the torso or shoulders to prevent them from flowing to the play from the backside.
"Certain teams do it," Hill said, "and [the league] is trying to basically legislate it out of the game."
A video to be shown to every NFL player and coach offers three examples from recent history that would be penalized this season: blocks by the Los Angeles Rams' Andrew Whitworth, the Miami Dolphins' Laremy Tunsiland the Washington Redskins' Trent Williams.
So how many weeks until the NFL ditches this new “point of emphasis” after the league and fans freak out, like they did last pre-season?