re: QB slide rule

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But that is the rule? If so, why are people complaining so much about the call and not the rule?

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I can’t find anything in the rules regarding where a slide starts (or the word hips) in the rule books.

ETA - it is in the replay guidelines - “when backside drops” and then “typically indicated when his butt starts to drop”.

It does say that you are down when you obviously start a feet first slide - at the forward-most point of the ball. The most obvious spot he was sliding was the first down marker - it should be very obvious that he intended to slide when he reached that mark.

Blindly accepting this explanation about hips dropping, in my opinion, completely ignores the spirit of the rule. If this were actually the correct interpretation, then it would basically have to be a requirement that every slide is reviewed to determine the spot of the ball.

Interestingly, this rule has been highlighted in the past because of a fake slide. The rules specifically say that it has to be called on the field and cannot be reviewed. This among other reasons should also show that instant replay should not be used to overturn spots on the field. Again, it undermines the spirit of instant replay “getting the call right” when it is clearly judgmental for which calls actually need to be right.

Anyone that has watched enough football knows that dead ball spots are not always precise. The result of the review can’t be the standard of precision

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In isolation, sure…it’s just a bad break. In aggregate, though, it is really hard to believe anything other than the officials were doing everything they could to slow/stop momentum.

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You don't need to go tin foil hat with the officials. They are at times just awful at their job. If they were truly trying to favor Bama, they would not have missed the obvious pass interference by Delane.

I agree we overall got screwed by the number of bad calls/non-calls. One or not both of late hit out of bounds should've been called. The slide was a bad spot originally that was corrected with the dumbass slide rule they have in place. Again, if the game is being fixed, why not mark him short immediately?

They didn't call Kenny Pickett down when he did that fake slide and ran for a TD a few years ago.

Did they change the rule BECAUSE of that?

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Yes. This is exactly the point. It’s a total judgment call. The ref made the call on the field. No way it was indisputable that he was short. Just a judgment. You go with the call. And it’s not just this call in isolation. It’s what happened that entire drive. In isolation, sure…it’s just a bad break. In aggregate, though, it is really hard to believe anything other than the officials were doing everything they could to slow/stop momentum.

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From the rules “the replay process operates under the fundamental assumption that the call on the field is correct…clear and indisputable evidence”

Challenging three plays in the same drive, perhaps three consecutive plays, is not operating under that assumption. If you feel this call was incorrect, that’s why you feel this way. It’s bullshite, and it leads directly to people complaining about calls because of uneven application.

They just cannot put it into the hands of the refs. The runner should be down where he touches. Just as with qb pressure and pass defense, give the defenders a step or two so if the player runs too close he best expect to be hit.

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This rule is for the safety of the ball carrier. The overturned call really weakens the integrity of the rule

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I am not arguing the rule. Im arguing the officials are on the take angle.

As for the rule, it and ejection for targeting, are the two worst changes to football in its entire history. A can understand rules for protecting the passer and kickers in the process of passing or kicking, but them having protection in the act of running with the football is asinine, especially in the college game when you don't need to be touched to be down. Just enforce the late hit rule.

Honestly, I think QBs would prefer it. Its been around what, 30 yrs? And it still looks like awfully unnatural act in tackle football.

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That is correct. The rule was amended bc QBs were beginning to slide, the defense would back off, then the QB would come out of his slide and continue. A fake slide. So now the QB is now ruled down when the slide begins.

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Which is why MVB went head first on the next drive to get the first. If they really are concerned about preventing injury, give them ground contact spot. If QB comes out of a slide to trick the defense, flag it.

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You don't need to go tin foil hat with the officials. They are at times just awful at their job. If they were truly trying to favor Bama, they would not have missed the obvious pass interference by Delane.

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Bama always seems to benefit more than most - it’s amazing how technically sound they are, especially in big games.