Leader proposes needed change to targeting rule

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

I think this proposal should be adopted immediately. It is one of the most needed changes in college football rules and has has been proposed by AAC officiating coordinator Terry McCauley:

"There would be Flagrant 1 and Flagrant 2 targeting penalties. A Flagrant 1 penalty, as determined by replay, would be for a less egregious and perhaps unintentional high hit. The penalty would be 15 yards and the player would remain in the game unless it’s his second targeting infraction, which would result in an ejection. In other words, Flagrant 1 would give a player the benefit of the doubt. Flagrant 2 would be the current penalty of automatic ejection but only for clear targeting plays.

“We have enough experience now to know the difference,” McAulay said. “I think if we got in a room with a lot of knowledgeable people, we’d be pretty much on the same page on whether it’s a Flagrant 1 or a 2 on a lot of these plays. This is anecdotal, but I think most of the targeting fouls these days appear to be those in that gray area. We’re seeing less launching. We don’t want to put people out unless we’re sure they committed an actual targeting foul as intended.”

THAT shows some common sense, and it would definitely change football for the better. Here's the link to the whole story: https://www.sbnation.com/2018/11/2/...suspension-targeting-penalty-rule-change-ncaa

 

[mrF6n6]

horrible idea... but one they will probably implement....
you know dog gone well the purpose of this rule is to protect the blueblood superstars from being thrown out of a football game.... there will absolutely be bias involved in this sort of decision.

"Flagrant 1 would give a player the benefit of the doubt."

^that's absolute bull butter

 

[FreddyUI]

I think this would be a great change. Most of the hits I have seen were not intentional.

 

[Gonzo Bloor]

This idea was floated a year or so ago and it's exactly what they should do. Similar to the two variations of facemask penalty.

 

[FreddyUI]

Basketball may be a better example of flagrant foul 1 and 2.

 

[wedomn8]

This idea was floated a year or so ago and it's exactly what they should do. Similar to the two variations of facemask penalty.

There is only one facemask penalty now. They got rid of the grasping the facemask a few years ago and it is strictly a 15 yd personal foul now. They do have something similar in the roughing the kicker and running into the kicker though.

 

[Hawk24]

Here's an idea that wouldn't require adding to the already thick rule book: keep the targeting penalty as is, but instead of calling targeting for those accidental, less egregious borderline hits (those that would be called a flagrant 1 in the scenario mentioned above), the officials should use the 'unnecessary roughness' penalty that's already in the rule book. It's still a 15 yard penalty but doesn't involve ejection and likely wouldn't slow the game down with long replay reviews.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Keep the targeting 15 yards and auto first downs. The ejections are ridiculous

 

[Frosty7130]

How about they make offensive players responsible as well. I hate seeing a defensive guy get penalized for making a play when the offensive guy drops his head in anticipation of the hit.

 

[HaydenHawk8]

How about they make offensive players responsible as well. I hate seeing a defensive guy get penalized for making a play when the offensive guy drops his head in anticipation of the hit.

This is where I agree. If an offensive player lowers their head (common reaction) when getting hit targeting needs to be wiped off. Now if the player coming in purposely lowers their head into the helmet, well then you got an issue.

It’s a judgement call and honestly one of the hardest to make. No official wants to eject a kid, but the rule book states it. What’s worse is the replay BS. I saw one in the PAC 12 last weekend where it was clear cut targeting and they allowed the guy to stay in the game. If it’s gonna be a rule it needs to be enforced across the board and in all conferences.

I don’t like the flagarant 1-2 type of rules. Too much gray area. What is a 2( launching, crown of helmet, forcible contact)???

 

[yrunvs]

Really stupid idea. Agree with mrF6n6 100%

 

[hawkedoff]

So they will get offensive players as well right? Running backs that lower their head?

 

[H4wkfan4life]

horrible idea... but one they will probably implement....
you know dog gone well the purpose of this rule is to protect the blueblood superstars from being thrown out of a football game.... there will absolutely be bias involved in this sort of decision.

"Flagrant 1 would give a player the benefit of the doubt."

^that's absolute bull butter

that was my first thought as well

 

[mthawkeyes]

How about they make offensive players responsible as well. I hate seeing a defensive guy get penalized for making a play when the offensive guy drops his head in anticipation of the hit.

Don't ask why, but I was watching Penn-Cornell last night. Cornell player goes low to make a routine tackle on the QB who was running like a normal ball carrier (not a pocket passer or scrambling for his life). At the last second, the QB tries to slide and there may have been SLIGHT contact between the tackler's helmet and the QBs. The tackler had committed to a level just above the runner's knees two steps before the runner lowered his level. What I want is for someone responsible for making and/or enforcing rules to explain what the tackler should or could have done to avoid the ejection and suspension, let alone the 15-yard penalty on 3rd down that kept the drive alive and led to a touchdown.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

I thought there was 2 levels already. The personal foul 15 yards and then the reviewed targeting personal foul that results in ejection.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

Keep the targeting 15 yards and auto first downs. The ejections are ridiculous

I agree. Excepting an obvious intentional shot to the head, it should take 2 targeting calls for an ejection.

 

[BubsFinn]

Unless the rule as written costs one of the Blue Bloods in a playoff game, it will not change.

 

[theiacowtipper]

Add some entertainment to the game. If the defensive end hits the quarterback in the head the QB gets to kick the defensive player in the sack.