[REDEEMEDSKIN]

I noticed last night that ABC kept explaining the new extra enforcement of the 5-yd. contact rule (aka "U Can't Touch This" rule ), and I recall seeing a flag thrown for PI that, in year's past, would have never been called. Will this usher in higher scoring contests? Is this too much? Are there any rules made up to help the defensive backs?

If receivers cannot be touched, look for recievers like Coles, Owens, Moss, Boldin, and others to have monster years. This looks like it'll be a sticky situation this year, to me. What do you all think?

[cvillehog]

The way Al and John explained it, it seemed like the rule is actually unchanged, but they are determined to enforce it this year. Is that right?

They also made it sound like the penalty that would be called for breaking the rule would be "illegal touching" or something similar, and that the pass interference rules (defensive and offensive) are unchanged.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

I didn't hear their full explanations of the rule, but it does seem near impossible to cover guys if you can't touch them.

I'm not implying holding the guy's arm to slow him down, but some contact may happen if you're playing a man tight, no?

[joebagadonuts]

if they continue to enforce it like they did last night, then it sucks. there will be way too many stopages of play for pass interference penalties. fans will become frustrated and bored.

if they enforce it as they should, where a defender can touch a receiver so long as that contact does not impede the receiver's ability to move or catch the ball, then all will be well.....except in new england, where they'll have to figure out another way for their dbacks to play.

[Irn-Bru]

[Justice Hog]

This "enforcement of an old rule" is simply the response to a few teams crying about how aggressive other teams are playing. Get over it! This is football you freakin' wimps!

[hailskins666]

it's so hard for a zebra to say what may or may not be intentional, especially when the game is moving at that type of speed. i say if it ain't broke, it can't be fixed. but what do i know?

[curveball]

This "increased enforcement" is a direct result of last year's playoffs.

People are in prison for less than the NE DBs did to the Colts receivers in the title game.

Some teams and players seemed to get 10 yards instead of 5, if this new emphasis levels the playing field, I'm all for it.

You'd be all for it also if you were one of the teams that always got the short end of the stick.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

[cvillehog]

[NC43Hog]

Like any rule, as long as they call it both ways it's fair. Also, if the offensive player initiates the contact it's not a foul.

Side Note: We did see an offensive pass interfence call (Panther Game) which we don't see much - of course this one was pretty blatant.

[General Failure]

Apparently they blew this call once in the Eagles/Pats game. Pinkston was flagged for being the first one to touch the ball after going out of bounds, but he never went out in the first five yards. The replay never showed where he went out, but there was a great shot of the ref tossing his hat down where he said Pinkston went out.

I don't buy it though. I think Pinkston was manhandled once again.

[Chris Luva Luva]

[redskincity]

If they would have paid more attention to the "MC Hammer rule" last year, Indy would have won the SB. They said that game alone had over 15 potential penalties. It will hurt physical teams like the Patriots.

[hailskins666]

maybe this rule is the only way to stop the patsies! nothing else has any effect on em.