Tag: NFL Competition Committee

NFL Competition Committee could look to eliminate Eagles version of QB sneak

NFL Competition Committee could look to eliminate the Philadelphia Eagle’s version of QB sneak or “Tush Push”

The Eagles are one of the NFL’s most efficient teams on fourth down and that’s because they’re almost impossible to stop when attempting a quarterback sneak.

Philadelphia’s version includes two running backs behind quarterback Jalen Hurts in a semi-victory formation. Upon the snap of the football, Hurts uses his powerful legs to push forward, and the two players behind offer some assistance.

According to Dean Blandino, a rules analyst for Fox Sports and The 33rd Team, The league’s competition committee is expected to take a hard look at the Tush Push play that was so effective for Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles this season.

“I think the league is going to look at this, and I’d be shocked if they don’t make a change,’’ said Dean Blandino, a rules analyst for Fox Sports and The 33rd Team, who was the NFL’s vice-president of officiating from 2013 to 2017.

Per NFL stats, Hurts converted 36 of 40 quarterback sneaks this season, and six of his 10 rushing first downs in the Super Bowl came via quarterback sneaks.

Pushing a ball carrier to help move him forward has been legal in the NFL since 2005, but Philadelphia became the first team to use it in such a powerful, and demoralizing way for an opponent.

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A look at the approved NFL playing rules and bylaw summaries

A look at the rule changes and bylaw summaries approved by the National Football League ahead of the 2020 NFL season.

The NFL has announced a number of rule and bylaw changes that have been approved for the 2020 season.

Here is the press release issued by the league on Thursday morning.

Approved 2020 Playing Rules Summary

2.      By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to make permanent the expansion of automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any successful or unsuccessful Try attempt.​​

8.     By Competition Committee; expands defenseless player protection to a kickoff or punt returner who is in possession of the ball but who has not had time to avoid or ward off the impending contact of an opponent.

9.    By Competition Committee; prevents teams from manipulating the game clock by com​​mitting multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running.​

Approved 2020 Bylaws Summary

2.    By League Office; increases the number of players that may be designated for return from two to three. Incorporates interpretations applicable to bye weeks during the regular season and postseason.​​​

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Pass interference penalties will not be reviewable in 2020

After just one season, the NFL has reversed course and will no longer allow pass interference to be reviewed in the 2020 season.

After just one year, the NFL has ruled that pass interference penalties will not be reviewable again in 2020, according to NFL Competition Committee Chairman Rick McKay.

The rule allowing pass interference penalties to be reviewed via coaching challenges was highly-anticipated heading into the 2019 season, particularly after the debacle in the NFC Championship game in New Orleans last year, but the NFL referees made it clear they had little intention of overturning even the most obvious of pass interference calls – making it seem like a foregone conclusion that the rule would only last one season.

Coach Pete Carroll was among the most proactive coaches in attempting to challenge pass interference plays, and while he won one early in the year he was not successful otherwise – and often his challenges were ruled against in a very short period of time, leading some to believe the officials never had any intention of overturning the call on the field.

The NFL will go back to the way things were previously, and you can bet that until the league starts to take the inconsistencies in pass interference seriously, it will continue to be a sore spot for fans, coaches, and players during the 2020 season.

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