The NFL’s application of one “F” word will continue to provoke the utterance of a different one.
Two helmet-to-helmet hits applied to Panthers quarterback Cam Newton while in a passing posture in Sunday’s game against the Rams have preliminary been determined by the league to not be clear violations, according to Ed Werder of ESPN. Which means that neither hit was obviously “forcible” in the interpretation of the league, as that term is defined by the rule book.
The hit from Mark Barron was deemed to be closer to a clear foul than the hit from Aaron Donald, per Werder.
Given all the criticism and scrutiny of the NFL’s approach to the protection of quarterbacks, it will be tempting for some to view the NFL’s interpretation as something driven by P.R. considerations and not a proper and fair application of the rules, especially with the insertion into the reports of a significant qualifier like “clearly.”
However it all gets assessed and resolved, it becomes important for the NFL to develop and communicate a clear interpretation of the term “forcible” and to ensure that it gets applied consistently, as to all quarterbacks.