Can a defensive linemen be called for holding by grabbing on to a O-lineman's jersey? I'm unclear on the official rule on this.

I believe the answer is yes, but the only time I can remember seeing it called is on a field goal attempt, where a defensive player grabs a player (jersey or not isn't going to matter) to move him out of the way for another player to go in and block the attempt.

But, conceptually, you'd think it has to be a penalty right? Or else, say, a left defensive tackle could lunge to his left to grab the right OT and pull him out of the way of the left defensive end to go kill the QB. You never see that kind of play, so it must be illegal.

It is; defensive holding.

A few years ago it was a big deal for a few weeks. I don't recall the team, but there was a team out there doing exactly that. I'm wanting to say it was Carolina when they were bringing the zone-blitz back into vogue.

Yeah, totally against the rules for the D-lineman to grab an O-lineman like that.

Though if his question is whether or not a D-lineman can get called for holding for grabbing the jersey of the blocker that is engaging him as part of a pass-rush move or something, I don't really know. I've never seen it. The only time I've seen it called is when a D-lineman grabs a lineman other than the guy directly in front of him with an intent to clear him out for a fellow d-lineman. Or when they're trying to hold in a lineman on a screen pass or something.

Absolutely. Especially in this situation since it freed Houston to rush the passer.

Last two for this week:

1. Orton > Cassel. Releases the ball with great anticipation.

http://uranus.ckt.net/~gochiefs/orton2.gif

2. A very nice play where Tyson Jackson DOMINATES Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton.

http://uranus.ckt.net/~gochiefs/sitton.gif

Orton is not always acurate, sometimes makes bone headed plays, but this illustrates why he is >>>>>> Cassel.

Cassel would have fetal position and took the sack lol

He would have spun away and tripped over his own 2 feet.

That made me chuckle. Nice work, Gilberry. lol

Hey Clayton...where is the Orton gif of him mouthing "F*%# Me" after one of our penaltys that brought back a big gain. Anyone that saw it knew what he was saying it was that obvious.

the fact that he stays in there for the hit on basically the same blitz that caused him a dislocated finger shows how much better he is mentally than Cassel. Cassel would've remembered that hit and taken the sack.

You'll have to be more specific.

Incredible that Orton can complete that throw with only a few weeks on the team and only one week of practice as the starting QB.

Hali dominates from the left side as well.

That would have been followed by the Cassel defenders blaming the Oline instead of understanding that a QB needs to make that type of play from time to time.