Actually, thisis more what you’re looking for, I think. Ed Bouchette’s column from Thursday.
But then every time a ball is thrown more than 15 yards, you’re giving an incentive to the defence to interfere with the reciever if they don’t have a shot at knocking the ball down.
I don’t know how it works in the NFL, but in the CFL, a ball must be deemed “catchable” by the refs for it to be pass interfence, otherwise it’s just a 10-yard+automatic first down illegal contact penalty.
That’s interesting. Sounds like that could be a Steelers culture thing to me - they’ve played the way they play for a long time.
It’s not as if the Colts are a totally soft team, of course. Their defense is tough and they’ve shut down some opponents this year.
Note to Rysto: His screen name is Hentor the Barbarian, not Hentor-the-Nancy-Boy-with-a-rule-book-in-one-hand-and-a-tape-measure-in-the-other, it is my impression (could be wrong) that his intent would be to make the game more physical, rough things up a bit, go on and give 'em an incentive to hit 'em. I think this kind of rule change could have some impact, but not that much. I can’t see an NFL coach sacrificing 15 yards and a first down to prevent a 15+ yard gain unless a particular QB is consistantly nailing 30 yard passes and there is no other way to contain him. It could happen from time to time but in most situations the cost of a guaranteed 15 (or 10 per CFL rules) yard advancement outweighs the risk of a 30 yard reception. Of course they both outweigh the risk of an automatic 30 yard advancement so I can see HTB’s point as well.
Latecomer, that is more of what I had in mind, kind of an exchange of local media loudmouths of which Kravitz and, it seems, Bouchette are perfect examples. I did notice a discrepancy though:
Interesting, not sure what that means but positive it don’t matter. Other than that pretty calm waters, should be a good game and, as I mentioned before, the winner of this one should be able to take care of a well softened Denver or New England, and most likely what ever team from the NFC makes it.
Go Blue!!!
I realize that, but I think the trade-off is worth it, personally. It’s still a substantial penalty, with an automatic first down attached. (I didn’t describe it clearly enough before, but if the interference occurs at less than 15 yards from scrimmage, then it is a spot foul, still with an automatic first down). It would increase the incentive for DBs, sure, but it would decrease the incentive for teams to intentionally underthrow balls (admittedly, something more prevalent last year than this year) and would decrease the potential for game-changing bad calls by the referree.
The ball must be catchable in the NFL as well for there to be interference. I’m not sure they would automatically call illegal contact, though, unless the contact occurred before the ball was thrown. Illegal contact in the NFL is a five yard penalty.
No, that is not my intent. Taking hits on receivers in a manner like you suggest seems kind of cheap. My intention is really just to avoid the 60 yard penalty because someone thought the DB didn’t get his head around in the right way, or the hand fighting going on between two guys was called only against one, or because the QB realized that if he underthrew it a bit the receiver would turn around and the DB would run into him, and so on. Believe it or not, I also feel that Steelers drives that are based on a call like this are less satisfactory also. I just like it better the way they do it in college football.
Defensive holding is sometimes called for interfering before the ball is even thrown. Seems to be a rather interpretable rule.
The “sometimes” being before the ball is in the air. Once the ball is in the air, the same infraction draws pass interference. (Unless the QB is outside the pocket, when the play is deemed to be a running play.)
I agree with Hentor’s disdain for finesse. That’s one of the reasons I consider the Giants-Bills Superbowl the greatest game ever played. It was the ultimate matchup of smashmouth versus finesse.
Colts starting CB Nick Harper was stabbed in the knee (or thigh, depending on what report you want to believe) by HIS WIFE on saturday. :eek:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060114/SPORTS03/601140521
He’s officially listed as questionable, but from what I am reading it’s not looking like he’s going to play tomorrow. Also Colts CB K. Hayden may or not play with a sprained ankle. That may leave rookie Marlin Jackson in as a starter for them, which may not be a huge downgrade as compared to Harper, but their nickel package is now significantly weaker.
I need to go to bed so I can wake up and get my drinking warmed up prior to kickoff.
GO STEELERS.
Wow what a bizarre twist of events. I regret it though. If we win or lose I would prefer it to be our best against theirs.
But as you said: GO STEELERS! 
I kinda like the Colts
Go Steelers! This is so nice, 7 points right away.
Wow, this is turning into a beatdown.
Coaches, this is why you don’t rest your team for the last month of the season.
So much for smash-mouth football. Not that I blame the Steelers. If the Colts are going to give them a soft zone, let Big Ben eat that up.
Well, it looks like the Colts just let their wives play the first quarter, and now they want to play some ball. The goal line is being kind of elusive though, so there’s still plenty of opportunities to turn an excellent drive into a pointless venture.
We are ON today, playing our A game. But we need to keep it up in the second half. Sitting on the lead as we’re accustomed to doing will not work against the Colts.
Shouldn’t you be sharing your halftime thoughts with your team mates instead of posting them on an Internet message board?
So which Steeler are you? Ben?
The zebras probably screwed the Steelers out of another score (at least a FG) by dropping that PI call. Colts get the ball first in the 2nd half. If they score they get the momentum back. 11 points does not feel like a comfortable lead against Indy. I think the Steelers need to really pour the heat on Manning in this first possession after the half. If they can force another three and out, and follow that up with another score of their own, they’ll really be in the driver’s seat. This first possession after halftime is going to be key.
Make up call. They missed at least two calls against the Steelers.
How was that not a safety? It looked like the ball was in the end zone when his knee went down?