Don’t hate the zebras, blame the speed
Since the conclusion of the NBA Finals, in Mid-June no less, the main conversation around water coolers and sports radio has been officiating — new school vs. old school. The zebras have been under a microscope. Almost every major sport has adapted rule changes to tweak their ever-evolving game. Football is of course no exception. Today’s game is a lot different when compared to the days of former Giants’ greats. It definitely gets officiated differently, but there are reasons why.
Gone are the days of off tackle calls, end runs and seven-yard button hooks. One speed merchant lined up wide in today’s game isn’t enough anymore. When the Giants had Homer Jones, considered the fastest in pads at the time, there was no need for other receivers. Who even were the other Giants receivers? On a side note, I believe Homer wanted to race sprinter Bob Hayes in a 100-yard dash wearing pads; however, the “Worlds fastest human” declined. The Giants’ playbook consisted of sweeps, off-tackle runs, screen passes and GO DEEP routes. Rule interpretation was much easier to digest back then. Off sides, holding and a few pass interference penalties were the only things called. I repeat only a few pass interference calls were made. Quarterbacks, up until the 1990s, were passing a max of 30 times a game. Teams typically lined up three receivers and a blocking back. Nowadays, it’s a lot of five-wide sets, fade patterns and pass-catching backs. Quarterbacks pass 50 times a game in today’s NFL. Forty attempts is the norm. Keep in mind, more passing means more holding calls because of tired tackles.
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With the upcoming season, New York Giants’ fans are giddy and dreaming of an epic trio of receivers: Odell Beckham Jr., a healthy Victor Cruz and rookie Sterling Shepard. It definitely seems like Shepard is getting more pre-season hype then OBJ did at this time last year. A larger role for Shane Vereen and the addition of rookie Paul Perkins will hopefully have defensive coordinators sleepless the nights before games.
Referees must also be on their toes. Not just for the Giants but throughout the NFL. While it’s very easy to blame the refs for making the call, I believe the game itself has changed from a Timex to a well-oiled Swiss watch.
Today, it’s not shocking to pass five or six straight downs. The zebras are struggling to follow the speedsters nowadays. Five receivers in a pattern and it’s a fast paced no huddle affair. Bigger-stronger-faster players, right? Are the officials bigger, faster and any younger to keep pace?
What about the “other stuff” going on? Savvy defensive backs are grabbing, while stronger receivers push off for separation. That’s all part of the game now.
Let’s hope important games are not hinged on a single call that determines the overall outcome. The NBA Playoffs had far too many fathom calls and moaning from fans. Remember to knock on wood, and let us hope the Giants’ season doesn’t come down to one bad call.
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