[NU Sports] If you are in need of a pick-me-up...

[Jonathan Hodges]

I think in a lot of situations it would be difficult for the DB to
flat out tackle the receiver since they're both running, and if they
are in that situation the DB would be the one chasing the receiver as
they are running down the field.  I think most DB's don't do it
because sometimes they can get away with some touching/bumping and a
tackle would be obvious.  For a very long pass where the DB is beat
they probably should interfere as much as they can to get that 15 yd
penalty instead of a longer play or a TD, but I'm sure most people
would say they should go for a PBU or INT before giving up and taking
the penalty.

It is interesting to note that if defensive pass interference occurs
within 15 yards of the LOS it's a spot foul with an automatic first
down.  It would be a good idea to make it a spot foul all the time
(even though it would make it the same as the NFL rule) to even things
out, though.

Jonathan

On 9/13/06, Jonathan Michael Hawkins <spiritu at northwestern.edu> wrote:
> > and none from the UNH game (a pass interference call was declined
> > since Ball caught the pass for the TD anyway).
>
> I hope Pat explains to Deante that a flaw in the college game's
> regulations leave a giant loophole to exploit.  Any time a pass is thrown
> for more than 15 yards, if you've gotten burned to the point of being
> unable to make the PAT or an interception, but not so burned as to be
> unable to simply tackle the player you're covering, you should always,
> always, always, always tackle him, and hard enough to make sure he's
> completely unable to catch the ball.  Counting on the receiver to simply
> drop the ball is a gamble.  Tackling him and taking the 15 is a sure
> thing.  It's a question of: "will there be points scored *right now* or
> not?"
>
> Deante was in this situation, and half-heartedly grabbed at Ball, instead
> of simply tackling him.  At least, it looked that way on the UNH
> highlight reel I saw on SportsCenter.
>
> It is unclear why some teams realize this and others do not.  Tradition?
> Sportsmanship?  An unwillingness to exploit a badly-made rule?
>
> The NFL realized the loophole and made DPI a spot foul, so I think there's
> precedent for at least *somebody* realizing the same thing I have.  And
> probably lots of people much better at football analysis than I.
>
> --
> Jonathan Michael Hawkins
> spiritu at northwestern.edu
> Northwestern University
> WCAS '03,  Law '09
>


-- 
Jonathan W. Hodges
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