Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

Last year I was thrilled that this was going before the competition committee so it could finally be challengable, thus, they kept it the same ol' rule.

This year I think down by contact, and poor officiating in general, got a lot more attention. With down by contact being a big issue on the bill does anyone have any word as how they're leaning on the decesion? Also, when do these guys meet, take votes, etc.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

I believe down by contact and what constitutes as a pass completition have both gotten way too technical in my opinion.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

The Down By Contact has been used though as Down By Copout so the call can't be challenged.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

I don't mind that the rules are technical. I just want the ref's on the field to have a practical knowledge of them. Let's up the pay a little, and get some trial attornies out there. Atleast the head ref. Someone with a discerning eye for the letter of the law.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

the one thing that was gone over last year and the refs still dont do is when a " down by contact" play occurs,the refs were instructed NOT to blow the whistle and let the play unfold,so if need be,the play can be reviewed.its the biggest screwup by the refs and it happens in every game.sometimes holding on to their whistles instead of blowing it would be the better move

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

the ability to challenge PI calls needs to be added...

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

[QUOTE=That Guy]the ability to challenge PI calls needs to be added...[/QUOTE]pi is a judgement call, if you make that challengable where does it end?you would have to make all penalties challengable. holding, facemask,false stars and delay of games just to name a few

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

I like the down by contact rule. Sometimes it goes your way some times it doesn't.

We can't make every play challengeable for god sake. That would take the fun out of the game not to mention giving defenses a reset every time their is a challenge.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

keep in mind that teams only have two challenges, 3 at most, so they can't challenge every call if they want to.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

Awh heck! Let's just scrap instant reply!

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

I'll tell ya if there are any rules that need to be changed, it's the rules on kick off and punt returns. Almost everytime you see a good kick or punt return, there is an illegal block in the back call or a holding call. I think the rules need to loosen up a bit on the kick returns.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

[QUOTE=mooby]keep in mind that teams only have two challenges, 3 at most, so they can't challenge every call if they want to.[/QUOTE]

Yes but if I challenge pass interference twice and win I get a third "free" challenge. That's three timeouts plus three "challenge timeouts."

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

[QUOTE=gibbsisgod]pi is a judgement call, if you make that challengable where does it end?you would have to make all penalties challengable. holding, facemask,false stars and delay of games just to name a few[/QUOTE]

how many times do you lose 50 yards in one penalty on one ref's whim? it wouldn't matter if you could challenge ANYTHING, as long as you only have 2 challenges per game. I'd want PI challengeable because its SUCH a hefty penalty and I've seen it miscalled a LOT. slippery slop arguements don't really work in this instance though.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

[QUOTE=saden1]Yes but if I challenge pass interference twice and win I get a third "free" challenge. That's three timeouts plus three "challenge timeouts."[/QUOTE]

so its better for the refs to make bad calls instead? that doesn't make much sense, and in all likelyhood if you can win 3 PI calls in one game, the refs should be fired.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

[QUOTE=Sammy Baugh Fan]The Down By Contact has been used though as Down By Copout so the call can't be challenged.[/QUOTE]

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

I heard Mike Pereira, the NFL's head of officials, say that the down by contact rule would be given serious reconsideration in the offseason. I like the rule as it is because:

Down by contact would be much less of an issue if the officials would simply learn not to blow the whistle unless they are ABSOLUTELY sure they saw the ball-carrier down. I would say they should treat every situation like a fumble, but then the fumbling team is forced to use unnecessary challenges.

Regarding PI, I believe that it should be, like college, a 15 yard penalty. If they don't make that change they should make two other changes. First, they need to be more willing to call offensive pass interference. Second, they should award the ball to the defense on those plays. If they award the receiver the catch on defensive PI, they should award the defender the ball on offensive PI.

Finally, I hate the way the illegal contact rule has been enforced over the last two seasons. It's almost become like a "get out of jail free" card that teams are awarded once or twice a game on third and long. And when they call it one team, you know the other team is going to get one at some point. A sure sign of a rule the officials think is horsesh#*.

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

[QUOTE=Sammy Baugh Fan]The Down By Contact has been used though as Down By Copout so the call can't be challenged.[/QUOTE]


You got that right!

Re: Competition Committee -- Down by contact:
 

I hate the down by contact rule and it really needs to be looked at by the officials this offseason.