The NFL's New "MC Hammer" rule

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

I noticed last night that ABC kept explaining the new extra enforcement of the 5-yd. contact rule (aka "U Can't Touch This" rule ), and I recall seeing a flag thrown for PI that, in year's past, would have never been called. Will this usher in higher scoring contests? Is this too much? Are there any rules made up to help the defensive backs?

If receivers cannot be touched, look for recievers like Coles, Owens, Moss, Boldin, and others to have monster years. This looks like it'll be a sticky situation this year, to me. What do you all think?

[cvillehog]

The way Al and John explained it, it seemed like the rule is actually unchanged, but they are determined to enforce it this year. Is that right?

They also made it sound like the penalty that would be called for breaking the rule would be "illegal touching" or something similar, and that the pass interference rules (defensive and offensive) are unchanged.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

I didn't hear their full explanations of the rule, but it does seem near impossible to cover guys if you can't touch them.

I'm not implying holding the guy's arm to slow him down, but some contact may happen if you're playing a man tight, no?

[joebagadonuts]

if they continue to enforce it like they did last night, then it sucks. there will be way too many stopages of play for pass interference penalties. fans will become frustrated and bored.

if they enforce it as they should, where a defender can touch a receiver so long as that contact does not impede the receiver's ability to move or catch the ball, then all will be well.....except in new england, where they'll have to figure out another way for their dbacks to play.

[Irn-Bru]

if they continue to enforce it like they did last night, then it sucks. there will be way too many stopages of play for pass interference penalties. fans will become frustrated and bored.

if they enforce it as they should, where a defender can touch a receiver so long as that contact does not impede the receiver's ability to move or catch the ball, then all will be well.....except in new england, where they'll have to figure out another way for their dbacks to play.

New England and Philidelphia both. The tricky thing about this rule (as noted, it is unchanged, just kind of rekindled, I suppose) is that it's so easy to call a flag. It's like offensive holding--technically, you could call it on every single play because it just happens.

In my opinion (see Sam Huff quote below), the game has only been nuanced and changed to help the offense, and it saddens me every time a new rule (or interpretation of the rule) is implemented.

[Justice Hog]

This "enforcement of an old rule" is simply the response to a few teams crying about how aggressive other teams are playing. Get over it! This is football you freakin' wimps!

[hailskins666]

it's so hard for a zebra to say what may or may not be intentional, especially when the game is moving at that type of speed. i say if it ain't broke, it can't be fixed. but what do i know?

[curveball]

This "increased enforcement" is a direct result of last year's playoffs.

People are in prison for less than the NE DBs did to the Colts receivers in the title game.

Some teams and players seemed to get 10 yards instead of 5, if this new emphasis levels the playing field, I'm all for it.

You'd be all for it also if you were one of the teams that always got the short end of the stick.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

This "increased enforcement" is a direct result of last year's playoffs.

People are in prison for less than the NE DBs did to the Colts receivers in the title game.

Some teams and players seemed to get 10 yards instead of 5, if this new emphasis levels the playing field, I'm all for it.

You'd be all for it also if you were one of the teams that always got the short end of the stick.

After watching a few games this weekend, I think they ARE being enforced evenly. It didn't really hamper the Skins' play, and actually worked in our favor once or twice.

The blatant non-call aside, the enforcement of the rule has not hindered the game to the degree I thought it would.

[cvillehog]

People are in prison for less than the NE DBs did to the Colts receivers in the title game.

LOL Nice quote.

[NC43Hog]

Like any rule, as long as they call it both ways it's fair. Also, if the offensive player initiates the contact it's not a foul.

Side Note: We did see an offensive pass interfence call (Panther Game) which we don't see much - of course this one was pretty blatant.

[General Failure]

Apparently they blew this call once in the Eagles/Pats game. Pinkston was flagged for being the first one to touch the ball after going out of bounds, but he never went out in the first five yards. The replay never showed where he went out, but there was a great shot of the ref tossing his hat down where he said Pinkston went out.

I don't buy it though. I think Pinkston was manhandled once again.

[Chris Luva Luva]

if they enforce it as they should, where a defender can touch a receiver so long as that contact does not impede the receiver's ability to move or catch the ball, then all will be well.....except in new england, where they'll have to figure out another way for their dbacks to play.

You hit the nail right on the head. People like Chris McCalister, our S. Springs and other bigger DB's will have a hard time in coverage. You need some sort of touching although it should impeded the WR.

I know when I played CB I'd press my arm against the WR while looking back for the ball, it allowed me to keep track of the WR and break with him just incase. I wasn't impeding him or holding, just keeping track, I guarantee they'll call that this year as interference.

[redskincity]

If they would have paid more attention to the "MC Hammer rule" last year, Indy would have won the SB. They said that game alone had over 15 potential penalties. It will hurt physical teams like the Patriots.

[hailskins666]

maybe this rule is the only way to stop the patsies! nothing else has any effect on em.

[redskincity]

maybe this rule is the only way to stop the patsies! nothing else has any effect on em.

No doubt. The Panthers could not touch Brady. I was pissed. I wanted to see this dude get Sacked on his A**.

This preseason, I just knew he was going down, next thing you know he was making a got**** completion!

Someone please sack him!!!

[Chris Luva Luva]

Someone please sack him!!!

Yes, soemone please. He's on a high horse right now, and I want someone to knock him off of it. We desrve it,

[Deadskins]

This "increased enforcement" is a direct result of last year's playoffs.

People are in prison for less than the NE DBs did to the Colts receivers in the title game.

Some teams and players seemed to get 10 yards instead of 5, if this new emphasis levels the playing field, I'm all for it.

You'd be all for it also if you were one of the teams that always got the short end of the stick.

Penalties are always less enforced during the playoffs. Everyone knows that. It's the good teams that capitalize on that knowledge. This will go away about week 6 or so when the NFL realizes that the play stoppage is not worth the extra scoring in terms of making the games more exciting.

[skin_to_the_bone]

People are in prison for less than the NE DBs did to the Colts receivers in the title game.

LOL Nice quote.

Yes it is.