NFL Looking to Neuter Defense Even More

[CKSteeler]

Per Rich McKay!

“Statistically, what gives us concern a little bit is scoring,” Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said during a Thursday conference call. “Scoring this year at 43.5 is still above an historical marker, which has kind of been that 43 mark. But we were at 49 points per game during COVID [in 2020], and we went to 45 [in 2021], we went to 43.76 [in 2022], and now we’re down to 43.54.”

McKay believes the proposed change to the kickoff will impact field position by 3-5 yards per drive, which will lead to more scoring. (He spoke of the revised kickoff as a done deal, and maybe it will be if the owners think it will result in more points.)

...

At what point does the failure to enforce the rules as written in order to enhance scoring undermine the integrity of the game? By admitting that the league wants more scoring, the league invites speculation that certain calls are made or not made in order to goose the scoreboard, not in order to get every call right.

Via news aggregator Florio.

I've been labeled as nutty for daring to suggest that the rule changes over the years had nothing to do with player safety besides appearances, and that the real motive has always been to goose scoring. Same holds true for the kickoff changes.

The numbers don't lie. Even five extra yards of starting field position can result in more points.

[Steelafan77]

[W&M_Steeler]

Lucky for us we have the most expensive defense in the NFL and an ossified defense head coach!

[Ice]

Lucky for us we have the most expensive defense in the NFL and an ossified defense head coach!

Not problematic in the least. We do what we do.

[Stlcrtn1974]

Lucky for us we have the most expensive defense in the NFL and an ossified defense head coach!

Not problematic in the least. We do what we do.

From the post gazette.
"The Steelers are spending only $64.8 million on their offense while doling out $158 million to their defensive players."

In my Jerry Seinfeld voice. Oh yeah, this can't miss.

[Ice]

Honestly, I knew it was skewed to the defense, and yeah, most of our offensive stars are on rookie contracts or being paid by other teams, but wow. That's a huge disparity.

[Jobu]

Honestly, I knew it was skewed to the defense, and yeah, most of our offensive stars are on rookie contracts or being paid by other teams, but wow. That's a huge disparity.

We have offensive stars? Who knew???

[Ice]

Honestly, I knew it was skewed to the defense, and yeah, most of our offensive stars are on rookie contracts or being paid by other teams, but wow. That's a huge disparity.

We have offensive stars? Who knew???

Everything is relative.

[CoolShades]

Per Rich McKay!

“Statistically, what gives us concern a little bit is scoring,” Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said during a Thursday conference call. “Scoring this year at 43.5 is still above an historical marker, which has kind of been that 43 mark. But we were at 49 points per game during COVID [in 2020], and we went to 45 [in 2021], we went to 43.76 [in 2022], and now we’re down to 43.54.”

McKay believes the proposed change to the kickoff will impact field position by 3-5 yards per drive, which will lead to more scoring. (He spoke of the revised kickoff as a done deal, and maybe it will be if the owners think it will result in more points.)

...

At what point does the failure to enforce the rules as written in order to enhance scoring undermine the integrity of the game? By admitting that the league wants more scoring, the league invites speculation that certain calls are made or not made in order to goose the scoreboard, not in order to get every call right.

Via news aggregator Florio.

I've been labeled as nutty for daring to suggest that the rule changes over the years had nothing to do with player safety besides appearances, and that the real motive has always been to goose scoring. Same holds true for the kickoff changes.

The numbers don't lie. Even five extra yards of starting field position can result in more points.

They really are ruining the game. Maybe people just don’t care and like all the rule changes.

But if you think back to the 70’s and 80’s, most of the teams had artificial turf. I was on the field at Three Rivers, and it was like playing on green concrete. And those guys survived. Now, most have real grass or some synthetic turf that is very player friendly. Rules are constantly adjusted to “minimize injuries” but they continue to happen. Injuries are just a part of the game, and I don’t know how they can be completely eliminated.

I don’t think they care about player safety at all. They care about image and eyeballs. NFL marketing believes people want scoring, which is most likely true, because so many people play fantasy football and that is largely driven by offensive stats.

I’ve joked in the past about when the NFL will officially put flags on players. JJ Watt just made a similar comment on twitter.

It’s coming. It’s only a matter of time.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

NFL has always been unfair to the defense.

Why shouldn't offensive pass interference on a ball catchable by a safety or CB not result in a change of possession plus 15?

[SteelerDayTrader]

NFL has always been unfair to the defense.

Why shouldn't offensive pass interference on a ball catchable by a safety or CB not result in a change of possession plus 15?

[Ice]

NFL has always been unfair to the defense.

Why shouldn't offensive pass interference on a ball catchable by a safety or CB not result in a change of possession plus 15?

Gotta admit, it'd make things a little more interesting on that side of the ball. Could throw in something similar to intentional grounding for holding on a clear path to a sack, for good measure. If the offense gets subjective calls six ways till Sunday, might as well throw the defense a bone or two.

[SteelerDayTrader]

NFL has always been unfair to the defense.

Why shouldn't offensive pass interference on a ball catchable by a safety or CB not result in a change of possession plus 15?

Gotta admit, it'd make things a little more interesting on that side of the ball. Could throw in something similar to intentional grounding for holding on a clear path to a sack, for good measure. If the offense gets subjective calls six ways till Sunday, might as well throw the defense a bone or two.

The less subjectivity the better

[Ice]

Gotta admit, it'd make things a little more interesting on that side of the ball. Could throw in something similar to intentional grounding for holding on a clear path to a sack, for good measure. If the offense gets subjective calls six ways till Sunday, might as well throw the defense a bone or two.

The less subjectivity the better

I mean, now that that's out the window, maybe subjectivity both ways at least levels the field. Nothing's going back in the box at this point.

[RemoAZ]

This is how the NFL wants defenses to tackle
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4_FVrAR ... _copy_link

[anpsteel]

Lucky for us we have the most expensive defense in the NFL and an ossified defense head coach!

Not problematic in the least. We do what we do.

No need to game plan in the first half.

Just line up, do what we do, and see how they play us.

Wait until the 2nd half to make adjustments.


This allows Tomlin to sit on the sideline blinking away like a fucking moron, while the opponent puts up a 30 burger at half, then coasts home while the Steelers put up garbage points. Playoff strategy at its best.