NFL reportedly will adjust where umpire is stationed

[Maxman]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81a27405/article/nfl-reportedly-will-adjust-where-umpire-is-stationed (link has a video)

The NFL will inform teams Tuesday about tweaks to where the umpire will be stationed in the offensive backfield, The New York Times reported.

The adjustments are in response to a new rule that moved the umpire from the middle of the defense to 14 to 17 yards behind the offense for safety reasons. That was adjusted to 12 yards back after the Hall of Fame Game so the ball could be spotted quicker. Still, the rule drew criticism from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, whose team was penalized twice for snapping the ball before the umpire was in position during a preseason game Thursday.

The latest tweaks, made after a conference call that included members of the league's competition committee, include requiring the umpire only to be standing behind the deepest member of the offense, and quarterbacks can look at officials near the sidelines to get the go-ahead to snap the ball, rather than turn around and look for a signal from the umpire.

[serphnx]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81a27405/article/nfl-reportedly-will-adjust-where-umpire-is-stationed (link has a video)

The NFL will inform teams Tuesday about tweaks to where the umpire will be stationed in the offensive backfield, The New York Times reported.

The adjustments are in response to a new rule that moved the umpire from the middle of the defense to 14 to 17 yards behind the offense for safety reasons. That was adjusted to 12 yards back after the Hall of Fame Game so the ball could be spotted quicker. Still, the rule drew criticism from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, whose team was penalized twice for snapping the ball before the umpire was in position during a preseason game Thursday.

The latest tweaks, made after a conference call that included members of the league's competition committee, include requiring the umpire only to be standing behind the deepest member of the offense, and quarterbacks can look at officials near the sidelines to get the go-ahead to snap the ball, rather than turn around and look for a signal from the umpire.

They'll probably still call more holding calls too. My whole thing is if the umpire doesn't get into position quickly enough, he isn't doing his job. The offenses should not have to wait for him to get there. Use someone younger if these old guys can't get there quickly. In the pre-season nobody really cares about the 2 minute drill, but in real games, getting penalties or losing precious seconds between plays because an old guy can't run to get in position and then signal you will cost some teams games.

[Sperm Edwards]

They'll probably still call more holding calls too. My whole thing is if the umpire doesn't get into position quickly enough, he isn't doing his job. The offenses should not have to wait for him to get there. Use someone younger if these old guys can't get there quickly. In the pre-season nobody really cares about the 2 minute drill, but in real games, getting penalties or losing precious seconds between plays because an old guy can't run to get in position and then signal you will cost some teams games.

Agreed. I was watching the Colts game with Mrs Sperm and we were both looking at each other like, "No way that can be a real rule."

[L.S. Dylan]

I understand that there will be more holding calls, but not allowing an offense to run their offense is a bit ridiculous.

[Sharrow]

**** Manning and the Colts. ******* babies.

[aec4]

Imagine if there are 18 seconds left (or whatever someone determined was the amount of time you needed with the umpire in his old position), and you complete something in the middle of the field with no time outs in the Super Bowl. The pass gets you in FG range, and you rush up to down the ball, but you get penalized because you snap it too early, suffer the 10 second runoff and lose the game.

I know inside 2 minutes they put the umpire back where he was, which begs the question: If it's safe then, why isn't it safe all the time?

[Sperm Edwards]

Give these pansy refs some shin guards, a flak jacket, and a pair of shop goggles and stop with this stupidity.

[PFSIKH]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81a27405/article/nfl-reportedly-will-adjust-where-umpire-is-stationed (link has a video)

The NFL will inform teams Tuesday about tweaks to where the umpire will be stationed in the offensive backfield, The New York Times reported.

The adjustments are in response to a new rule that moved the umpire from the middle of the defense to 14 to 17 yards behind the offense for safety reasons. That was adjusted to 12 yards back after the Hall of Fame Game so the ball could be spotted quicker. Still, the rule drew criticism from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, whose team was penalized twice for snapping the ball before the umpire was in position during a preseason game Thursday.

The latest tweaks, made after a conference call that included members of the league's competition committee, include requiring the umpire only to be standing behind the deepest member of the offense, and quarterbacks can look at officials near the sidelines to get the go-ahead to snap the ball, rather than turn around and look for a signal from the umpire.

Shocker it took the Colts to implement the change.

[Sperm Edwards]

Shocker it took the Colts to implement the change.

Manning, like Brady, is a whining f***ing baby. But he's totally right. If you watched the game it was ridiculous and the game didn't even count.