The recent controversy surrounding roughing the passer calls in the NFL has sparked calls for a rules change, and NFL team owners are wasting no time tackling the subject.
According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Rams will resubmit a rule change that would make roughing the passer, as well as all personal fouls, subject to official review. The owners will meet in New York City Tuesday, and it had already been reported that roughing the passer penalties will be discussed.
Given the recent controversies involving hits on first Tom Brady and then Derek Carr in Week 5, the Rams’ proposal will likely get a better reception than it did last year. The Rams proposed making roughing the passer calls reviewable, but the NFL’s competition committee struck down the proposal 9-0.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who got flagged for the hit on Brady, said earlier this week he’d like to see roughing the passer calls made reviewable.
“Hopefully something can come from this and a change can happen,” Jarrett said on his weekly radio show on Atlanta’s 680 The Fan. “But, at the end of the day, I would hope that some conversation would be had.”
However, a recent AP report noted that while the topic will be up for discussion, immediate changes are unlikely.
NFL fans debating the issue on Twitter disagree on whether any change is needed.
[ESPN]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.