OT-What The Giants Just Pulled Was Bush League

[AzStevenCal]

This happens quite a lot in college football against fast paced teams. Some schools outright teach it. Just watch any game against the Oregon Ducks. And sometimes the players forget whose turn it is to "fall down" and two players spontaneously go down at the same time. It's kinda funny.

If it's cheating, then the problem should be with the refs who aren't throwing flags. Unless that happens, there is no reason to stop doing it, and if it works, then good for them. Anything you can get away with that gives you an advantage is a good play.

I compare it to when Derek Jeter faked getting hit by a pitch earlier in the season. It worked and he got on base. It was a good move. Anything to win.

I hated that play just as much as I hate the fake injuries. They are taking advantage of something because they know that there isn't much the officials can do about it. I'm a firm believer that the intent of the law should hold as much importance to you and me as the letter of the law does. The people that enforce the rules can't always go down that path but we certainly can.

For me, it goes hand in hand with recognizing the difference between right and wrong and trying to live within that framework. It's not the end of the world and let's face it, taking advantage of something like this is incredibly trivial when compared to something like sticking a gun in a teller's face and demanding cash but it's the little things that erode the fabric of a civilization. Oh well, time to get off my high horse.

Steve

 

[jmt]

It's not cheating or a question of right vs. wrong. It's win at all costs gamesmanship that Americans love.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

yeah - it's bush league for sure

just because it's been going on for a long time doesn't make it any better

the nfl has tried to curb it a little throughout the years (TO in the last 2 minutes, have to sit out a play, etc)

during the chargers/patriots game there was one where it was so obviously bad that it almost cost the chargers .... the patriots got up to the line, the defensive player ran into position and then just kind of dropped to grab his calf before the snap .... the ref just looked at him ... defender kind of glanced around confused before realizing that nothing was stopping, so he popped up and played

 

[Totally_Red]

My thoughts:

1) If the team has a timeout, one should be deducted regardless of when it happens and whether it is real or not.
2) If the team does NOT have a timeout, they should be penalized 5 yards for delay of game. If necessary, give the defense a choice: 5-yard penalty or take a timeout.
3) The 'injuried' player(s) should not be allowed on the field for the rest of the current series, no out one play, then right back in the next play.

These steps are not only fair to the offense, but should remove any doubt about the reality of the injury. Way back when, baseball managers used to repeatedly come out to talk to their pitcher to give the bullpen more time to warm-up. Now the 2nd trip brings another pitcher in automatically.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Football is not a continious game.

Nothing the league can do about the situation. The game is setup for breaks, and huddles, not to streak down the field.

That is what rugby is for. You don't see 6'8" 350lbs guys playing rugby for that reason.

 

[Bert]

I dont care much, however I dont want the NFL to become soccer with guys writhing around on the ground screaming in pain like they are an inch from death, then getting up and playing again. Dont think there's anything that can be done tho.

 

[moklerman]

I like the 3 plays idea. Why should 1 play be sufficient for an "injured" player? Especially in this day and age of protecting anyone and everyone. If they really want to protect guys who are potentially injured, then make 'em sit out 3 plays or have to wait until the next clock stoppage or something more than 1 play.

 

[Duckjake]

I like the 3 plays idea. Why should 1 play be sufficient for an "injured" player? Especially in this day and age of protecting anyone and everyone. If they really want to protect guys who are potentially injured, then make 'em sit out 3 plays or have to wait until the next clock stoppage or something more than 1 play.

That's really the best solution. Because teams shouldn't be penalized yards or timeouts when guys are legitimately hurt.

 

[Duckjake]

Football is not a continious game.

Nothing the league can do about the situation. The game is setup for breaks, and huddles, not to streak down the field.

That is what rugby is for. You don't see 6'8" 350lbs guys playing rugby for that reason.

I only see 5'9" 350lb guys playing Rugby.

 

[Bert]

That's really the best solution. Because teams shouldn't be penalized yards or timeouts when guys are legitimately hurt.

I agree, 3 plays would be a deterrant without being unreasonable.

 

[Krangodnzr]

Meh it happened to the Rams. Good. Cry me a freakin' river.

 

[TheHopToad]

I like the 3 plays idea. Why should 1 play be sufficient for an "injured" player? Especially in this day and age of protecting anyone and everyone. If they really want to protect guys who are potentially injured, then make 'em sit out 3 plays or have to wait until the next clock stoppage or something more than 1 play.

I agree, 3 plays would be a deterrant without being unreasonable.

The problem with sitting guys out three plays is that if it is being done intentionally and is sponsored by the coaching staff, then what will happen is that some scrub at the end of the sideline, who wasn't going to get much playing time anyway, will be the guy sent in to "fall down injured". He will have done his job and will return to the sideline and three plays won't matter because he wasn't going back in anyway.

Just make it a penalty that carries an automatic first down and the problem will be solved. The officials would have discretion to not call the foul if they judge it to be a legitimate injury.

Can't see anything happening however. The NBA still doesn't do anything about flopping, it's a much bigger problem in that league IMO.

 

[Billy Flynt]

If they are slow to get up from a dogpile of players and malinger, that is one thing... but when two guys go down like they were hit by a sniper in the upper deck... it was ludicrous

 

[Hollywood]

I believe that if the offense is running a no huddle, whuch usually means no substitutions, then the defense cant sub in players either. They wouldnt be able to bring a scrub in off the bench to fake injury. Also means an 'injured' player cant come back in after one play.

As far as I am concerned its stratagy. Just like a coach calling for a measurement when the play obviously fell short of the first down to get more time.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

It was so blatantly obvious because 2 players went down. Something needs to be done.

Ever hear the term "wily veteran"?

It's code for "he cheats".

Cheating is encouraged in sport, getting caught is frowned upon and everyone stretches the limits of the rule book.

In this case, as you can't convincingly establish that one or the other was not in fact hurt, there's nothing you can do to fill the loophole except to say that's not fair.

That and 2-bucks will buy you a cheap cup of coffee.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

That was embarrassing.

The teams will learn from this, though, and just appoint a designated injury-faker each game so it's not as obvious next time.

 

[THESMEL]

Well that 3 inch target where you can tackle a QB legally is bush league also. I hope the official review starts aborting some rules rather than adding more.

A freakin replay should get it right, like it did in rthe first few years it was used, not challenged and all this horse crap. If it was a fumble it was a fumble not a whistle or can't review or stepped on my weiner.

I have an answer, Have an outside network perform the official review each week! Cause the NFL will not police it self properly. Officials can't be fined like players but maybe the can be rerward for calling a good game from the Gazzillion dollars Goodall fines player, coaches and other each week?

Radical, but the outcomes of games are determined wat to much by officials bad calls in todays world. And we see it on replay and stick our heads in the sands until it happen again next week.

 

[crisper57]

So Fox Sports has Mike Periera do a live chat on the "flopping issue". What picture did they have on their front page under the link to the chat?

Greg Toler's legitimate season-ending injury.

Wow.

 

[TheHopToad]

NFL sent a memo to all teams warning of disciplinary action if it is determined that teams are faking injuries.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_NFL_FAKING_INJURIES

 

[NJCardFan]

Bradford just threw it at Cadillac's feet to avoid a sack, is that cheating?

It used to be. So was hiking it and spiking it and yet the rules were changed. However, blatantly falling down faking an injury is a manipulation of the rules. It's like the tactic the SF Giants have been using for most of the baseball season which is putting a perfectly healthy player on the DL with some ailment that suddenly popped up just so they can take someone else off of the DL. On paper it's well within the rules but that doesn't make it any less Bush league and cheap.

 

[BigRedRage]

So Fox Sports has Mike Periera do a live chat on the "flopping issue". What picture did they have on their front page under the link to the chat?

Greg Toler's legitimate season-ending injury.

Wow.

Toler was during the play too, not before.

 

[NJCardFan]

Can't see anything happening however. The NBA still doesn't do anything about flopping, it's a much bigger problem in that league IMO.

What doesn't make sense is the NHL rule. They can penalize someone for taking a dive, however, they still penalize the other player as well.

 

[Bert]

What doesn't make sense is the NHL rule. They can penalize someone for taking a dive, however, they still penalize the other player as well.

Is it the Deuce Lutui rule? (That was hilarious btw) Although Deuce didn't get penalized, just the guy he punched in the face.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

What doesn't make sense is the NHL rule. They can penalize someone for taking a dive, however, they still penalize the other player as well.

Played the game at the highest level, and never ever saw that.