| FTBL SEC Media Days: A tweak to Targeting Rule

PhillyGirl

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http://www.clarionledger.com/story/...4/07/16/sec-media-days-rule-changes/12728345/

No rule change created more discussion, debate and controversy than the implementation of the Targeting Rule last season.

"Probably 2013 was one of the most exciting season on record," Steve Shaw the SEC's Director of Officials said. "The targeting change is not ruining the game, it's making our game better. "

Wednesday Shaw discussed more rule changes that will affect the SEC in the 2014 season.

Last year was an off-year, which means the only rules that can be adjusted are those that fall under player safety --including targeting.

This year when a targeting foul, without the addition of a personal foul, is reversed, a team will not be charged with a 15-yard penalty.

Last year even if replay reversed a targeting penalty a team was still charged 15 yards.

Shaw said officials will make it clear when penalties are called. A "roughing the passer call with targeting" will warrant 15 yards regardless of what the replay shows.

Last year the SEC's officials called 19 targeting penalties, seven were overturned. Nationally, there were 92 targeting penalties, 32 were reversed.

The SEC also implemented a "strike zone" for quarterbacks this year. Players will be penalized for hitting quarterbacks low when they are in a "passing posture." Basically quarterbacks can only be hit below the neck and above the knees.

A defensive player also can't roll or lunge at a quarterback's legs.

To help with the rule changes the SEC is expanding its experiment with an eighth official. The SEC will select on crew that will consist of eight officials. The crew will work with every team in the league this year. The eighth official will be called the "center judge." His main responsibilities include spotting the ball and substitutions.

Jerseys

One small change to the rules regards jerseys. Numbers are not allowed to contrast to the jersey. If a team is penalized for this, it will be charged a timeout at the start of each quarter.

Celebrations

Shaw reiterated the causes of unsportsmanlike penalties. He said spontaneous natural celebrations with teammates will be allowed. Those that appear to be choreographed will be flagged for unsportsmanlike.
 
I guess I'm reading the story wrong. They said that jersey numbers are NOT allowed to contrast to the jersey. Seems to me that contrast is what you want so the number is more readable. But then, I'm old and much of what I do and say doesn't make sense.
 
I guess I'm reading the story wrong. They said that jersey numbers are NOT allowed to contrast to the jersey. Seems to me that contrast is what you want so the number is more readable. But then, I'm old and much of what I do and say doesn't make sense.

I was wondering about that too. Oregon doesn't play in the SEC. (shrug!)

Now that the ridiculously punitive fifteen-yard penalty is off the board, I have no problem with the targeting rule now.

Last year the SEC's officials called 19 targeting penalties, seven were overturned. How many of these did Bama have? Three?
 
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