Buccaneers: Impact of potential changes to pass interference rule
Buccaneers beat writer, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, reported on Tuesday the NFL’s competition committee is considering putting a limit on the yards a pass interference penalty will draw moving forward.
Currently, when the Buccaneers draw a pass interference penalty from the opposing defense, it results in a spot foul. So if the penalty happens 30-yards down field, then they get the ball and a first down, 30-yards down the field.
It’s great when it works in your favor, but can be a back-breaker when it works against you and Tampa’s defense is flagged for the same foul.
So, obviously a change to the rule would change things in the way NFL teams play offense and the way defenses defend the pass.
As Auman stated in his article,
"“..with the new rule, a defensive back who knows he’s been beaten deep has incentive to maul a receiver..”"
This line struck me, as it was one of the first thoughts I had upon reading the proposed change to the rule.
The NFL has been on a modern day crusade of sorts to ensure the game of football is as safe as possible for the players on the field while still maximizing the entertainment value.
Now, some have thought these rules are a facade, but nonetheless, they’ve been put in place to make the game safer.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
Rules like what happens when a defender contacts the head of a quarterback – even ever so slightly – or what happens when a defender hits a defenseless receiver, especially above the shoulders.
All of these had a common thread. The intent was to make players play with more intent and less instinct, ideally minimizing instinctual threats to the human body. How impactful they’ve been is a debate for another time.
This rule change however, would actually make the game more dangerous if Mr. Auman and I are correct.
It would also make the game a little more entertaining possible, as I would assume a little more hand-fighting would then be allowed between receiver and defender as they jockey for position. But, what happens when a less-than-elite defender finds themselves in an un-winnable situation against an elite receiver?
With this rule change, as Auman stated and I assume, the defender may decide to make a play which endangers the safety of the receiver and also himself though he may not see it that way in the moment.
It’ll be interesting to see how this pans out, but with the amount of deep passing the Buccaneers tried to do in 2017, this is a rule change which could impact their own game plans.
What are your thoughts on the proposed rule change? Would you be for it or against it, and what repercussions do you think could be carried along with it?
Next: Bucs Were Right to Pass on Peters