Couple NFL thoughts

First off- I think the new interference /contact rules against DB's are utter BS so far as I can see. Interference/contact penalty's' were up 40% so far in the preseason. 40%! Watching the Philly/Steeler game was nothing but penalty after after penalty, it was ridiculous. Why don't they just not allow DBs' to cover at all, say they can't EVER get closer than five yds, that way the the receivers can always have a shot at a sure catch.

Secondly- I think the two game suspension on Ray Rice of the Ravens was utter BS as well. Guys get multi game suspensions and even season long suspensions for smoking grass, Rice knocks his girlfriend out cold, drags her out of an elevator and down the hall and he gets two games!? I dunno, something wrong in the priorities there IMO anyway.

There was a team (who will remain nameless) last year whose defensive backs CONSTANTLY held and grabbed past the 5 yards allowed...virtually every play. Their philosophy is that the refs can't throw a flag on every play. That's right, they cheated because they knew they could mostly get away with it.

This team had many more penalties and more penalty yards than their nearest cheater competitor and led the league in Pass Interference....but that was fine with them because they'd rather give up a 5 yard defensive holding call or a PI than a touchdown pass......and they knew they would get away without penalty most of the time because the refs weren't going to call a penalty on every play. Well hopefully this year they do get called on every damn play....because that's the only way they are going to stop...after all, they won the Super Bowl.

So please note...these are NOT new rules. They've just decided to make sure the rules are followed...even if it means throwing a flag on every play. What else are you going to do if a team decides they're better off cheating because the refs won't always call it?

Now the Ray Rice thing I agree...he should have been suspended for a year....at least.

It is about time the NFL started penalizing teams for teaching their players to grab and hold on defense and for pushing off on offense. Those actions are done by cheaters who lack the skills to play within the rules. Doper Michael Irvin pushed off all the way to the NFL Hall of Fame - without being allowed to push off he would have been no better than average as a receiver. I am just curious if the refs are going to be allowed to make these calls throughout the season and playoffs. My bet is that the cheaters and cry babies will be catered to and that the refs will be shut down.

The players will learn to adapt.

In regards to Rice (he is a local boy for me), he may have gotten off lightly since he is regarded as an overall good guy, He runs youth football camps, buys equipment for the local programs and his high school among other things

It almost seems like the league wants more points scored. Big plays and big scores amount to better ratings, I suspect.

The worse thing about Rice is when she was out cold the elevator door almost hits her and it looked like he didn't care at all. What a dick!

The NFL also added another official on the field. There are now 8 officials.

I suspect that PJ's correct, although I can't be certain as the NFL again passed on my offer for consultation. Certainly everyone knows that during preseason they will call these penalties like crazy to get corners to back off, then they will find some happy medium during the regular season.

Some fans are freaking out, like these calls will continue at this rate for the next 20 weeks.