Manning wins...NFL again tweaks umpire position

[Deberg_1990]

What Peyton wants, Peyton gets...



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201....ap/index.html


The NFL heard Peyton Manning's complaints and responded with additional tweaks to the new umpire rule.

All 32 teams were told in a memo from the league Tuesday that the umpire will now position himself 12 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped instead of approximately 15 yards, which was used during the preseason.

Also, the head linesman or line judge can signal when the ball can be snapped instead of having quarterbacks checking with referees. And the umpire must only be beyond the deepest running back - not established in position - before the ball can be snapped.

The changes should make it easier for teams to use the no-huddle offense throughout the game, and satisfy Manning, who expressed his frustration with the rules change following an Aug. 26 loss at Green Bay.

"The one (illegal snap) on me I thought was ridiculous, down there by the goal line when you're snapping the ball to keep them from potentially getting a replay," Manning said then. "Also, they (umpires) are unsettled. To throw a 5-yard penalty is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. So I think that's one thing that will be re-evaluated - at least a do-over of some sort, or a warning. But a 5-yard penalty? That's ridiculous."

Apparently the league agreed.

Officials will now have the discretion to issue a warning before enforcing the 5-yard penalty for an illegal snap. Clear violations, the memo said, will continue to be penalized without a warning.

Umpires also will move to the middle of the defense, their old position, during the final two minutes of the first half, the final five minutes of the game and when the offense is at, or inside, the opponent's 5-yard line. That's a change from just last week when the NFL decided to place umpires in their previous spot for the final five minutes of each half.

In March, the league cited safety concerns as the reason for moving umpires behind the deepest running back. It cited statistics that showed a significant increase in the number of collisions and injuries incurred by umpires.

"It reached the point where the league office thought that the physical danger out there and the safety of the umpire was becoming an issue, so we changed his position," Colts president Bill Polian said Aug. 28. "We recognized that there would be, A, mechanical issues, and B, issues with respect to certain penalties that might or might not be called based upon the new position."

But after Manning insisted changes were needed, Polian told reporters they were solvable.

Now the four-time league MVP and Polian are willing to see if this works.

"We'll see," Manning said last week during the annual bowling tournament he hosts to raise money for the Peyback Foundation.

The league said referees and umpires will meet Friday in Dallas to review the preseason and the mechanics of the changes to the umpire rule. The officials being used in Thursday night's season opener will review the material during a conference call this week.

Manning was not available Tuesday, the Colts' regular off-day, but is expected to comment on the changes Wednesday. Polian did not immediately respond to an interview request left with the team's public relations staff Tuesday.

[eazyb81]

Originally Posted by FAX

Okay, Mr. eazyb81 ... how about this? (He that hath ears, let him hear.)

How about the obvious interception your stinking, cheating, inbred, hero threw to Troy Polamalualululualu a few years ago that was ruled "incomplete"? You know, the one that everybody in the entire world knew was a total bullcrap call and proved once and for all that the NFL "officials" were trying to ensure a Colts win against the Steelers and a trip to the AFC Championship game?

Was Troy Polamalualululualu pathetically jealous about life in general?

FAX

First, how is that botched call Manning's fault?

Second, I would be shocked if Polamalu had a fraction of the hate for Manning that you and others in this thread do. So no, he is not pathetically jealous about life in general.

Great players often get their fair share of calls - look at MJ, Kobe, Pujols, Jeter, etc.

If that ticks you off so much, fine, so be it. I just think it's weird to have an absolute hatred for someone that is:

1. absolutely one of the best that's ever played his sport, and

2. all in all, a seemingly good guy that has never had trouble with the law, coaches, or players.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The rule was stupid to begin with, and should have been changed regardless of who bitched about it.

I gotta say, this place doesn't disappoint. Mention Peyton Manning, and all the sandy vags come out of the woodwork.

It's like ****ing clockwork around here.

Let's not discuss ruining the integrity of the game, let's hate on Peyton Manning and the fact that even though he's one of the best QB's in NFL history, he's big and ugly and does Oreo cookie commercials.

[FAX]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

First, how is that botched call Manning's fault?

Second, I would be shocked if Polamalu had a fraction of the hate for Manning that you and others in this thread do. So no, he is not pathetically jealous about life in general.

Great players often get their fair share of calls - look at MJ, Kobe, Pujols, Jeter, etc.

If that ticks you off so much, fine, so be it. I just think it's weird to have an absolute hatred for someone that is:

1. absolutely one of the best that's ever played his sport, and

2. all in all, a seemingly good guy that has never had trouble with the law, coaches, or players.

After the game, Troy Polamalualululualu knew he was jobbed by the Official Manning Helpers. And, it wasn't one of those split-second, heat-of-battle judgment calls of which great players get their "share", either. It was a replay review which Mike Pereira (the then NFL's Vice President of Officiating) later acknowledged was a totally blown call in order to try and save face for the league.

I'm sorry, Mr. eazyb81, but your idol is a cheating, slithering, oozeball of evil who leaves a trail of slime behind him wherever he goes.

Oh, and did I mention Manning's big, fat head?

FAX

[LaChapelle]

It may have more to do with Tebow's delivery

[Crush]

Manning will never be the GOAT. Elway and Montana are the only legitimate candidates.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Good change, the rule was lame anyways.

Manning haters are hilarious. The guy will end up as the best QB of all-time.

It's like hating Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth.

Or John Elway?

[JD10367]

Bashing of the Great Gazoo makes me feel like this:

[Valiant]

Originally Posted by FAX

I'm not generally a hater, Mr. eazyb81 ... at least, not one with a capital "H".

However, Manning has been cheating since he came into the league while the NFL and their officials have ignored his chiseling-ass ways simply because he's a media darling whose endorsements help sell game advertising.

For example, according to the NFL's own rulebook (the one they use for all the other teams), the offense must be set prior to the snap of the ball for a minimum of 1 second. This includes (or is supposed to include) the quarterback. A violation of this rule is supposed to result in a false start penalty.

Manning, however, can jog in frigging circles non-stop without getting called. Not only that, but he can extend his arms into the neutral zone, walk back and forth, do a little dance, drop trou, and jiggle his nuts at the cheerleaders ... all immediately prior to the snap and without getting called for an infraction.

To me, this is favorable treatment. However, if you wish to admire and idolize a cheating, connatural, sandbagging, asswipe of a doofus, please feel free to do so.

FAX

I see most QBs do that so I don't have an issue with it.. Manning just over-exaggerates his movements doing it..

Of course he is going to champion the cause, he uses the no-huddle probably the most.. NFL is not going to listen to suckass Matt Cassel if he said something..

Wish a couple more star players on defense would bitch and hopefully get some stupid rules changed.. I want to see pushoffs period on both sides get a flag past the five yard mark.. Offensive players should not be able to stiffarm to the facemask, helmet or chest only..

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's like ****ing clockwork around here.

Let's not discuss ruining the integrity of the game, let's hate on Peyton Manning and the fact that even though he's one of the best QB's in NFL history, he's big and ugly and does Oreo cookie commercials.

I don't buy that. You could argue that EVERY rule change "ruins the integrity of the game." All the roughing the passer stuff they've done recently makes it tough on defenders to make a play. Illegal contact heavily favors the WR's. Pass interference rules heavily favor the offense. Even the "wedge" rule they put in place this year makes it so that long returns are more difficult.

The only difference here is that it directly affects the QB, and really impacts one of the league's best-known players due to his style of offense. If it was another rule that hindered the corners, you'd have never heard about it.

Rule changes affect the game. There's no way around that. Most of the time, teams adjust. Sometimes, they whine until they get things changed back.

[boogblaster]

who cares ...

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by DaFace

I don't buy that. You could argue that EVERY rule change "ruins the integrity of the game." All the roughing the passer stuff they've done recently makes it tough on defenders to make a play. Illegal contact heavily favors the WR's. Pass interference rules heavily favor the offense. Even the "wedge" rule they put in place this year makes it so that long returns are more difficult.

The only difference here is that it directly affects the QB, and really impacts one of the league's best-known players due to his style of offense. If it was another rule that hindered the corners, you'd have never heard about it.

Rule changes affect the game. There's no way around that. Most of the time, teams adjust. Sometimes, they whine until they get things changed back.

Bullshit.

This rule change wasn't intended to change the integrity of the game or the flow of the game or ANYTHING RELATED TO THE GAME.

It was intended to reduce the number of player-umpire collisions. That's it.

It inadvertently changed the game, which is WHY the rule altered.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Bullshit.

This rule change wasn't intended to change the integrity of the game or the flow of the game or ANYTHING RELATED TO THE GAME.

It was intended to reduce the number of player-umpire collisions. That's it.

It inadvertently changed the game, which is WHY the rule altered.

The wedge rule was meant to reduce blocker concussions. It's in the same boat. For that matter, so is the "roughing the QB" thing. Both are rules that are purely meant for safety reasons, but have clearly altered the game and how players approach it.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's like ****ing clockwork around here.

Let's not discuss ruining the integrity of the game, let's hate on Peyton Manning and the fact that even though he's one of the best QB's in NFL history, he's big and ugly and does Oreo cookie commercials.

Works for me.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

I like Manning but he is definitely a bitch.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Let's not discuss ruining the integrity of the game, let's hate on Peyton Manning and the fact that even though he's one of the best QB's in NFL history, he's big and ugly and does Oreo cookie commercials.

You got that right. No way I'm going to support that knucklehead. A real QB would've signed on with Hydrox.