NE 4 offensive linemen

[tomdalton22]

While this is within the rules it is really shady. My guess is they will make this illegal next year.

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

I agree that the entire goal was to confuse the defense, but I don't see why it should be illegal. Baltimore got beat because they didn't react fast enough (nor were they truly given enough time). If Harbaugh saw through it right away, he would have put another pass-rusher on the field and punished NE for compromising it's protection.

Confusing the defense is a basic plan of the offense (same with disguising coverages and pass-rushers on defense). What NE got away with was the refs failing to adjust to the rules fast enough (they should have stood over the ball and allowed Baltimore a sub). NE I'm sure planned on the refs and Baltimore not knowing what to do, but that's not illegal, even if it is shady. The rules are already in place appropriately. They can't just disallow subs with eligible numbers to play ineligible positions. If that was the case a few O-line injuries could ultimately end a team's ability to play. The league is just going to do what it normally does... remind the refs to enforce the rule more effectively and then forget about it.

Personally, I would love if the Lions had the coaches with the wherewithal to effectively utilize the rules to their advantage like that. Schwartz cost us at least one game by simply not knowing the letter of the law. Caldwell hasn't made any rule-based errors, but his clock management makes me think he might not be a real detail-oriented guy. I'd much rather be the team in the second round with people questioning their tactics than the team that lost to a bad call.

 

[sggatecl]

I thought it was brilliant. If the defense had been prepared and paid better attention, they'd have known the RB on the flank was an ineligible receiver and ignored him. The Patriots were basically playing 10v11 with 4 on the OLine. If Baltimore does their job, the pass rush gets home quick and nobody ever even talks about this play.

I wonder if the first flea flicker or double reverse was considered "shady"...seems like sour grapes.

 

[cheeno]

The only sour grapes I can see is that the refs didn't announce the ineligible. I'm not sure that is a rule but general modus operendi. That one is not on the Pats though.

 

[Mitchrapp]

The only sour grapes I can see is that the refs didn't announce the ineligible. I'm not sure that is a rule but general modus operendi. That one is not on the Pats though.

They announced the ineligible. I could even hear it on my TV.

In any event, if there's no rule how can it be considered shady or wrong?

 

[inkfreq]

They announced the ineligible. I could even hear it on my TV.

In any event, if there's no rule how can it be considered shady or wrong?

Yep, they did announce it. And according to the NFL, it's legal.

 

[cheeno]

Screw them then. Nothing to argue over.