The Baltimore Ravens took a lot of bumps when it came to penalties being called and flags fell like rain in several games.

Ozzie Newsome was asked about the pass interference penalties that took place over the last season and how it seemed there were considerable inconsistancies in the calls.

The competition committee is the group who suggests rule changes for the NFL and the Ravens’ GM Ozzie Newsome has been a long standing member since 2000.

“We have to draw a bright line,” Newsome said, referring to the competition committee, “where the players, coaches and even the fans understand what pass interference is. Right now, I don’t think (that bright line) is there…We need to draw it so everyone understands what it is and can say, ‘That is interference,’ or ‘That isn’t interference,’ and not have 12 (officiating) crews that see it differently.”

What is considered pass interference and illegal contact?

“I think some work can be done,” Newsome said, “Is it going to be cleared up in one year? I don’t know, but we’re going to push it in that direction.”

Newsome explained about the abiguity of the “shove out” rule that also caused questionable penatlies in the past until they drew a bright line.

“That was a bright line you saw with the force out,” Newsome said, “We had no issues with it anymore. If you don’t get two feet in, you’re out. It took the judgment of the officials out of the game. Either you have two feet in or you’re out. I think that’s where we’re headed with pass interference.”

It must be a difficult call for everyone on the field when you aren’t sure exact meaning of the rule. If it can be interpretted differently from person to person it is no wonder there were so many dissagreaments and confusion in penalties called through out the year. Not to mention the confusion of the players themselves, not knowing from one play to another if a penaty will be called.

The defensive backs felt this the worst.  Sometimes if they barely brushed someone a flag fell.

There needs to be consistancy in order to remove confusion, so hopefully the league will “draw a bright line” as Newsome says and make the rules crystal clear for all so the defensive backs can play with the confidence of knowing the rules.

Then we should see less restrictions and less flags.

by Jak Jones, Ravens Mania

Tagged with: Baltimore Ravens • Competition Committee • Confusion • Defensive Backs • Flags • Game • Games • Gm • Inconsistancies • Judgment • Lot • NFL • Ozzie Newsome • Pass Interference • Person To Person • Rain • Ravens • Rule Changes • Two Feet

Filed under: NFL

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