12/21/24
September 08, 2015
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle:
A place to discuss the sports stories that aren't making news, share links that aren't quite front-page material, and diagram plays on your hand. Remember to count to five Mississippi before commenting in anger.
posted by yerfatma at 09:33 AM on September 08, 2015
O, woe is my ears. I was cruising about town today, just a bit after the noon hour and what abomination did I find on my radio? The new Colin Cowherd show. What's worse than Jim Rome? Cowherd, that's what's worse.
posted by NoMich at 06:51 PM on September 08, 2015
The "Baltimore" and "Ravens" formations used by the Patriots were illegal but Belichuk correctly guessed the on-field officials would not be wise to the scheme. Harbaugh knew what notification was required for eligible/non-eligible players but got flagged with a penalty trying to inform the officials of the rules.
Played a major part in a 35-31 victory for the Patriots.
The league has officially banned the formations and informed the teams involved.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:42 PM on September 08, 2015
Making cricket commentary better through good storytelling. A guide.
For those unfamiliar with cricket, Richie Benaud held a status among announcers akin to that of Vin Scully in baseball.
posted by owlhouse at 02:30 AM on September 09, 2015
The league has officially banned the formations and informed the teams involved.
Why would the league have to "officially ban" them if they were already illegal? You got a cite for that?
posted by yerfatma at 08:43 AM on September 09, 2015
The formations were not illegal until the league banned them after the fact in March.
Trick plays? Deceptive? Yes and Yes. If the league bans deception, a major tactical core would be taken out of the game. Stunting, men in motion, fake kicking plays, you name it.
This is just another case of a participant using their understanding of the boundaries of competition to the fullest in a creative way. The league could have chosen to continue to allow the practice, as America's Cup racing did after Ben Lexcen added a winged keel to Australia II.
But the NFL chose to ban the formations, not because opposing DC's wouldn't be able to make adjustments and figure out how to counter a new level of complexity on offense, but because the simpleton officials who already struggle to manage the games as it is would totally lose their minds if things got any more challenging.
posted by beaverboard at 10:10 AM on September 09, 2015