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বুধবার, ২৭ মার্চ, ২০১৯

NFL মার্চ ২৭, ২০১৯

NFL admits officials blew a 4th-quarter pass interference call in the Super Bowl that helped the Patriots, per report

If the NFL's new replay rules had existed during the 2018 season, the Patriots might not have won Super Bowl LIII over the Rams.

Under the new rule that was approved Tuesday, all pass interference calls - both offensive and defensive - are now reviewable. The rule means that coaches are now allowed to challenge interference penalties, even if the penalty went uncalled on the field. The replay booth will also be able to automatically review any potential interference play that happens with under two minutes left in both the 1st or 2nd half of a game.

Although the blatant pass interference no-call in the NFC Championship Game was a big catalyst for why the new rules were approved, it turns out there were other missed interference calls during the postseason that was almost just as big, and one of those came in Super Bowl LIII.

According to ESPN.com, the NFL competition committee apparently admitted Tuesday that the Patriots should have been flagged for interference on a huge fourth-quarter play involving Brandin Cooks. The admission came while the committee was discussing the potential ramifications of making interference reviewable.

At the time of the play, the Rams were trailing 10-3 with roughly 4:30 left in the game. On a first-and-10 play from New England's 27-yard line, Jared Goff fired a pass to Cooks, and that's when this happened.

Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore clearly grabs Cooks' left arm before the ball arrives. If the new replay system had been in place, Rams coach Sean McVay could have challenged the play, and as the committee already stated, he would have won the challenge because of Gilmore's interference.

If the interference had been called, the Rams would have gotten the ball at the 1-yard line with a chance to tie the game. Instead, Goff threw an interception on the Rams' very next offensive play, which effectively iced the 13-3 win for New England.

Although Gilmore's interference didn't turn into the same kind of controversy that we saw in the NFC title game, people definitely did take notice and questioned why a flag wasn't thrown.

In just one postseason, that's two games - the Super Bowl and NFC Championship Game - that could have potentially had different outcomes under the new rule. The bottom line seems to be that the NFL owners have passed a rule that will likely have a dramatic effect on the league in 2019.

Of course, if the rule doesn't work out as the NFL intended, the league can always scrap it. The replay rule was only approved for a 1-year trial period.

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NFL মার্চ ২৭, ২০১৯

Alliance of American Football in danger of being discontinued without NFLPA help: Majority investor

The 1st year Alliance of American Football's inability to secure cooperation from the NFL Players' Association to use young players from NFL rosters has put the AAF in danger of folding, Tom Dundon, the league's majority owner, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday.

"If the players union is not going to give us young players, we can't be a development league," said Dundon, who in February committed to investing $250 million into the league. "We are looking at our options, one of which is discontinuing the league."

The NFLPA had no official response to the accusations that their lack of cooperation is prompting the AAF to fold.

However, a players' union official did express serious concerns about the risks of lending active NFL players to the AAF. The official requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue.

The person said the players' union is founded on the belief that using active NFL players and practice squad members for the AAF would violate the terms of the CBA and the restrictions that prevent teams from holding mandatory workouts and practices throughout the offseason. The limitations set in place are designed to ensure the safety and adequate rest and recovery time for football players. But there’s a concern that teams would abuse their power and perhaps force young players into AAF action as a condition for consideration for NFL roster spots in the fall.

The additional concern on the NFLPA’s part is that if an NFL player played in the AAF and suffered serious injury, that player would face the risk of missing an NFL season and lose a year of accrued experience, which carries financial ramifications for players.

Dundon said he is considering all options and expects to make a decision about the league's future over the next two days.

The AAF was hoping to get permission to use practice squad players, particularly No. 3 quarterbacks and young linemen starting next season. The AAF's game plan was to be to the NFL what Class AAA baseball is to Major League Baseball.

In a statement announcing his financial investment, Dundon said he was "impressed with The Alliance's stunning growth in-stadium and across TV, mobile and social media in just these first few weeks."

Dundon, who also owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, said the NFLPA's primary objection was not wanting their young players "to feel pressure to play" in the AAF.

The AAF is in Week 8 of its 10-week season.

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