NFL Releases Yet Another Clarification Video

In what is becoming a regular NFL occurence, the league has released a video to clarify a new rule.

The “roughing the passer” rule has already caused controversy over the first three weeks of the new NFL season.

According to executive vice president Troy Vincent, the video will “ensure consistency in officiating the rule.”

The rule change for this season penalises defenders for landing on passers with most or all of their body weight.

So far, referees have thrown 34 flags for this offense, over double the amount over the same period in 2017.

Referees have interpreted this rule inconsistently, which has been a source of frustration for players, coaches and fans. Particularly, defenders feel that they are being punished for impossible-to-avoid situations.

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The video highlighted four examples of illegal tackles, including one from last year that broke Aaron Rodgers collarbone. According to senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron, defenders will be penalised for not attempting to break their fall in a tackle.

The video did not cover the most controversial calls from this season, like the two against Packers linebacker Clay Matthews.

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On Thursday, Clay Matthews said that he read the statement and watched the video.

“I don’t know if that statement really expresses how they’re going to call it moving forward,” Matthews said.  

“I’m sure what many, if not all of NFL fans and players, are hoping is that they’re not changing the rule but much like the helmet rule we saw in the preseason, it’ll change. But I said that after the Minnesota hit on Cousins, and nothing changed last week. If that’s the case, that’s truly unfortunate because I think I speak on behalf of everybody that doesn’t like the rule and the way it’s being called and the way it’s being officiated.”