Wednesday, February 4, 2009

If the NFL was officiating this blog, I'd be flagged for delay of game.

Greetings, long lost blog follower(s). Another unplanned, unexplainable hiatus from the blogosphere, and once again I must apologize.

But let's make no further haste - I'd hate to keep all three of you waiting.

Tonight's topic? The Super Bowl. Outdated? Of course. Irrelevant? Not so much. Before laying into the NFL's pinnacle showcase, I'll give props for an exciting game.

But don't start with that better-than-last-year crap. Last year was David vs. Goliath - the undefeated beast vs. the upstart America's team.

The most intriguing storyline to this year's chips and dip fest was determining who has more maneuverability - Ben Roethlisberger or a three-legged dog in a pond.

But on to my beef of all beefs - penalties and the NFL.

Will someone please explain to me the "holding" penalty in the NFL? Like traveling in the NBA, it's widely assumed that holding occurs every play. But unlike traveling, holding is not clearly defined. If you take more than two steps in the NBA (save LeBron's crab dribble), it's a travel.

So what the hell makes up a hold in the NFL? Let's take a look...

A runner may ward off opponents with his hands and arms but no other player on offense may use hands or arms to obstruct an opponent by grasping with hands, pushing, or encircling any part of his body during a block. Hands (open or closed) can be thrust forward to initially contact an opponent on or outside the opponent’s frame, but the blocker immediately must work to bring his hands on or inside the frame.


Did that help at all? Didn't think so. How about this...

Hands cannot be thrust forward above the frame to contact an opponent on the neck, face or head.
Note: The frame is defined as the part of the opponent’s body below the neck that is presented to the blocker.


Are we playing football or cramming for an anatomy final?

I know, I know, I'm being dramatic. But still, throw in 18! penalties and all of a sudden America's number one obsession (NFL) makes America's pastime (MLB) look like a Usain Bolt - fast paced and exciting.

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