San Francisco 49ers Head Coach Mike Nolan wants some change in the NFL. Being a former defensive back, his primary concern stems from the Pass Interference penalty. Pats fans should know it well: Asante Samuel being called for a bogus PI in the divisional playoff game against the Broncos last year, Ellis Hobbs getting a bogus call in the playoffs this year. In college, the penalty goes for 15 yards. In the NFL, it's the spot of the foul. There are pro's and con's to each rule (college players can just interfere past 15 yards if they know it will be a catch, pro players can just launch a ball and hope for an interference call), so Nolan decided the NFL should mix the rules: let officials decide if a penalty should result in 15 yards or spot of the foul.
"You'll see them drop back and throw it vertical," said Nolan. "They'll overthrow the play; they just want the penalty. … You can maim someone, and it's 15 yards. You can end someone's career, and it's 15 yards. Pass interference? It's not a reflection of the severity of the crime. It's like getting the death penalty for going 75 mph in a 55 zone."
Unfortunately, when the idea was proposed, league officials gave it only a "lukewarm" reception. "It probably doesn't have much chance of passing muster with the full league membership at the Phoenix meetings later this month. [ESPN]"
There aren't many problems with the NFL, but Pass Interference is definitely one of them. Another rule change which will most likely be discussed is the inclusion of goal-line cameras. Bill Belichick has been rallying for this for several years, but to no avail. The NFL only likes rule changes that come out of Indianapolis.
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