Payton says NFL change hurts Saints offensive rhythm

Attached Thumbnails · 08-30-2010, 10:48 PM

NEW ORLEANS ― Sean Payton stood on the stage, intently listening to the question thrown his way.

Then he looked down, seemingly resigned to answering a question of which the response could get him in trouble.

He simply was asked about his thoughts on the illegal snap penalties being called because of where the umpire now stands and when he whistles the play live.

“I hate that tempo can be controlled or dictated or taken away from Drew Brees,” Payton said. “It happened (Thursday) night in the Colts game. I don’t know mechanically if we were ready for all of this.”

Teams knew of the change in umpire placement prior to the season. The move was made, in theory, to put the umpire in a safer place on the field so he wasn’t getting run over.

The umpire now stands behind the offense and near the referee as opposed to behind the linebackers. However, the umpire will move to the former position in the final two minutes of each half, an acknowledgement that the prior position was superior in terms of seeing the game.

But the unintended consequence of the move has been to keep offenses out of a quick rhythm. Twice against San Diego in New Orleans’ 36-21 win Friday night the Saints were called for an illegal snap.

“The quarterback is looking at the play clock to make sure he gets the snap off,” Payton said. “Certainly, he’s looking at the safeties, looking at the center if he’s in the shotgun and he’s making sure the receivers are aligned.

“Now he has got to look at the side judge to get a thumbs up so he can snap the football.”

Payton went on.

“I just think it’s something that all of a sudden … it’s going to take away tempo plays, and certainly that’s something we feel we’re pretty good at.”

The league already has made one change in regard to who the quarterback has to look at to begin the play. Whereas now Brees must look at the side judge, he was required before to look over his shoulder to find the referee.

Payton says NFL change hurts Saints offensive rhythm | wwltv.com | WWL Sports

saintfan · 08-30-2010, 11:21 PM

Dumb dumb dumb. Was there REALLY a problem with refs getting run over? I know it happens, but was it so bad that it had to come to this?

Zooey does not like this one bit...

breesfan27 · 08-30-2010, 11:23 PM

If they're so worried about refs getting hurt, put them in a helmet and pads.

Stupid ass rule.

saintfan · 08-30-2010, 11:25 PM

wurd

DRsaints · 08-30-2010, 11:27 PM

The NFL says they're all about improving the game experience for the fans. I can tell you for sure, though, that this rule does not improve the game experience if it's going to slow down the game and disrupt the flow of the game. It either needs to be changed in someway or the ref just needs to get out of the way.

Pete · 08-30-2010, 11:28 PM

Rules huh!I dont mean to get off track but what happened in the last game where Jeremy Shockey got blew up by a chargers player?defenseless player? Where was the flag for that one?frikkin zebras

QBREES9 · 08-31-2010, 12:21 AM

without question it does. Its a dumb rule. they should tell the ref you need to step it up. you have to get in to place very quickly

saintfan · 08-31-2010, 12:31 AM

It's stupid

QBREES9 · 08-31-2010, 12:33 AM

need to be changed or modified some how

lynwood · 08-31-2010, 03:28 PM

How about the Umpire immediatly gets back to his spot while the ref or whoever is placing the ball down. There is no reason after one play is over that the umpire can't get to his spot like the rest of the offense.

08-30-2010, 10:48 PM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,125 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) NEW ORLEANS ― Sean Payton stood on the stage, intently listening to the question thrown his way. Then he looked down, seemingly resigned to answering a question of which the response could get him in trouble. He simply was asked about his thoughts on the illegal snap penalties being called because of where the umpire now stands and when he whistles the play live. “I hate that tempo can be controlled or dictated or taken away from Drew Brees,” Payton said. “It happened (Thursday) night in the Colts game. I don’t know mechanically if we were ready for all of this.” Teams knew of the change in umpire placement prior to the season. The move was made, in theory, to put the umpire in a safer place on the field so he wasn’t getting run over. The umpire now stands behind the offense and near the referee as opposed to behind the linebackers. However, the umpire will move to the former position in the final two minutes of each half, an acknowledgement that the prior position was superior in terms of seeing the game. But the unintended consequence of the move has been to keep offenses out of a quick rhythm. Twice against San Diego in New Orleans’ 36-21 win Friday night the Saints were called for an illegal snap. “The quarterback is looking at the play clock to make sure he gets the snap off,” Payton said. “Certainly, he’s looking at the safeties, looking at the center if he’s in the shotgun and he’s making sure the receivers are aligned. “Now he has got to look at the side judge to get a thumbs up so he can snap the football.” Payton went on. “I just think it’s something that all of a sudden … it’s going to take away tempo plays, and certainly that’s something we feel we’re pretty good at.” The league already has made one change in regard to who the quarterback has to look at to begin the play. Whereas now Brees must look at the side judge, he was required before to look over his shoulder to find the referee. Payton says NFL change hurts Saints offensive rhythm \| wwltv.com \| WWL Sports Attached Thumbnails
Views: 2181

08-30-2010, 11:27 PM	#5
DRsaints 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 166	The NFL says they're all about improving the game experience for the fans. I can tell you for sure, though, that this rule does not improve the game experience if it's going to slow down the game and disrupt the flow of the game. It either needs to be changed in someway or the ref just needs to get out of the way.
DRsaints 100th Post Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 166

08-30-2010, 11:28 PM	#6
Pete • Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Patterson, LA Posts: 1,753	Rules huh!I dont mean to get off track but what happened in the last game where Jeremy Shockey got blew up by a chargers player?defenseless player? Where was the flag for that one?frikkin zebras
	Last edited by Pete; 08-30-2010 at 11:34 PM..

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08-30-2010, 11:21 PM	#2
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Dumb dumb dumb. Was there REALLY a problem with refs getting run over? I know it happens, but was it so bad that it had to come to this? Zooey does not like this one bit...

08-30-2010, 11:23 PM	#3
breesfan27 Mrs. Drew Brees Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The Who Dat Nation (by way of South Dakota) Posts: 2,276 Blog Entries: 1	If they're so worried about refs getting hurt, put them in a helmet and pads. Stupid ass rule.

08-30-2010, 11:25 PM	#4
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	wurd

08-31-2010, 12:21 AM	#7
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	without question it does. Its a dumb rule. they should tell the ref you need to step it up. you have to get in to place very quickly

08-31-2010, 12:31 AM	#8
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	It's stupid

08-31-2010, 12:33 AM	#9
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	need to be changed or modified some how

08-31-2010, 03:28 PM	#10
lynwood 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hockley, Tx Posts: 1,515	How about the Umpire immediatly gets back to his spot while the ref or whoever is placing the ball down. There is no reason after one play is over that the umpire can't get to his spot like the rest of the offense.