The NFL is mocking the amplification of its criminal sanctions, which have sparked calls for defeat – and an end-of-season defeat for a defender trying to comply with the league's mandate not to land completely on quarterback.

During the off-season, NFL owners asked the League's competition committee to better protect their precious quarters after Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr broke Aaron Rodgers' collarbone in 2017.

Thus, the league has eliminated a rule of 24 years rarely invoked that forbids defenders to land on the quarter with more than half of their weight.

"It helps me because I'm a quarterback," said Deshaun Watson of the Texans. "But some of the calls are just a little crazy."

In fact, the Packers linebacker Clay Matthews, who has been whistled three times, hinted that the league had become limp. He argued that what constitutes a free kick is anyone's guess.

Defenders who are only allowed to target a hitting zone made up essentially of the torso must now be concerned about the fall of the watch. Or at least make a "gator roll" where they spin the QB while they fall on the grass.

Tigerl Austin, the Bengals' defensive coordinator, said the role of gator is "an abnormal gesture when you're trying to tackle a big guy" like Ben Roethlisberger or Andrew Luck. "They will ignore you."

Broncos linebacker Shane Ray said the roller was not even an option most of the time.

"Sometimes you are in an awkward position or you could be pushed against him," Ray said. "It's chaotic there when you have all those bodies flying around."

Trying to keep the quarterback safe can also be dangerous for a defender, as was the case when William Hayes Dolphins tore his right ACL while trying to avoid falling on quarterback Derek Carr Raiders.

"They do not care about the fact that we're injured – as long as the QB is safe," said Richard Sherman, the 49ers corner half, when he retweeted a clip of injured Hayes.

"Let's be honest, this rule is hard to judge," said Dolphins defensive tackle Akeem Spence. "Will do a game, trying to throw the quarterback and roll at the end, do not try to take all his weight and get a bag, he ended up being hurt, and he fears to protect the quarterback while trying to make a game. "

There have been 34 calls for drafting so far. Although this represents only one flag per 100 attempts, this represents a considerable increase over previous years. There were 16 such penalties for three weeks last season and 20 the year before.

The lack of consistency and clarity is why "I do not like the rule," said Troy Aikman of Fox, whose career at the Cowboys Hall of Fame was interrupted for 12 years.

"I think the league has overreacted, and I think it will continue to watch it with the controversy that was created," said Aikman, adding that the strict interpretation of the 1995 rule. "

In the meantime, there were only a few flags for the players who lowered their helmets, which shows that the players, coaches and officials have adapted accordingly to this rule change.

Two people familiar with the agenda told The Associated Press that during the Competition Committee's conference calls that will be held regularly next week, calls for evaluation will be addressed. Although neither one nor the other anticipates a change in the rules themselves, it is possible that the "total weight" part of the rule is no longer highlighted.

This year's focus has led to all sorts of controversial calls, including Matthews' call in Week 2, which canceled a decisive interception by Kirk Cousins, who then rallied the Vikings to 29-29. .

"The defeat of Passer's calls is absolutely uncontrollable," said Texan star defenseman J.J. Watt tweeted during the Steelers-Buccaneers' Monday night game with four of those flags.

Although Matthews' strike on Cousins ​​was not considered a violation of body weight, the league's emphasis on the knockouts played a role in referee Tony Corrente who ruled that Matthews had hit the quarterback.

Many critics have not bought this explanation or the justifications of the other calls.

"I love the NFL – but the QBs and WRs are crazy because D can not hit them anymore and can not knock them down," said Kurt Warner, a Hall of Fame member. architect of the Rams "Greatest Show on Turf"

"Everyone runs the entire game (or it's a penalty)! Do not get me wrong, I LOVE Offense, but better when it's a fair fight."

Mike Pereira and Dan Blandino, the last two men to head NFL officials, said the league was going too far with a focus on the quarter-finals and referees throwing too many flags. even in danger of getting hurt.

"I think we all felt we were going a bit too far," said Pereira, now an analyst at Fox Sports.

Pereira said the NFL could reverse the situation by forcing officials to throw flags only when the defenders lift the quarterback and push it to the ground.

"We are all rather in agreement that Clay Matthews' hard blow on Kirk Cousins ​​really should not be a fault, and I believe this is what the competition committee believes "said Pereira. "How much do we need to interpret a rule?"

Former NFL referee Terry McAulay, now an analyst for NBC, notes that the central point must be whether the defender's coup included "useless" actions. It refers to a graph of the rule used during the broadcast of the Lions Patriots Sunday night.

"We have emphasized a few words, one is the word" needlessly ", and it is said that a defender should not land on the quarter unnecessarily," McAulay explained. "There is nothing about this game (by Matthews on Alex Smith) that is useless – it comes from a block and it is a legal form, and it happens to end up in head of the quarter. "

The chart also notes "Strive to conclude."

"It tells me that it has to be avoidable – well, there is nothing inevitable in this game," McAulay said. "It should not be a fault, I understand technically that it's a rule."

The Broncos star, Von Miller, who leads the championship with 87 1-2 sacks since his year as a rookie in 2011, said he no longer knew how he was supposed to face the quarterback.

"I like going to the ball," Miller said.

Because going to the bag becomes as dangerous for the pass passer as for the quarterback.

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