NFL Approves New Rule to Allow for Reviews of Pass Interference

The NFL reported that last night at the annual ownership meeting a new rule was approved that allows for offensive and defensive pass interference (including non-calls)  to be subject to review. According to the NFL, coaches can challenge those calls in the first 28 minutes of each half. In the final two minutes of each half, those calls will be subject to a booth review. This rule change is made on a trial basis only for the 2019 season.

The one play that was the most egregious non-call last year took place in the NFC Championship game. The Saints and Rams were tied late in the game (1:49 remaining), the Saints had the ball on third and 10. Drew Brees from just beyond the 20 yard line threw to his receiver Tommylee Lewis who was down field at about the 5 yard line. Clearly Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman tackled Lewis and made helmet-to-helmet contact before the football arrived. Two penalties could have been called. If pass interference was called, the Saints would have had the ball roughly a yard away from the end zone. Brees could have used up more clock and scored late in the game leaving the Rams with no time or very little time. The Rams went on to win the game in overtime. 

Based on that game, Saints owner Gayle Benson wrote a letter expressing her dissapointment: “No team should ever be denied the opportunity to reach the title game (or simply win a game) based on the actions, or inactions, of those charged with creating a fair and equitable playing field. As is clear to all who watched the game, it is undeniable that our team and fans were unfairly deprived of that opportunity yesterday."

Bears Will Play Packers in First Game of 2019

The Bears and the NFL both celebrating their 100th seasons this year (the early days of the NFL are discussed in our Pillars of the NFL book). 

The NFL will begin the season with a Thursday night game on September 5th featuring the Chicago Bears versus their arch-rival Green Bay Packers. Sure to be a very popular game in Chicago and nationally with many up and coming players on the Bears and their successful coaching staff.  On the other side of the field there will be many questions marks as Packer fans will like miss several of the personalities that have made the Packers--well, the Packers. First, the fiery Packer's coach Mike McCarthy is gone. McCarthy was that fit the city by the blue-collar bay.  

Then, eight year Packer veteran wide received Randall Cobb has signed with the Dallas Cowboys. And ten year veteran Clay Matthews has signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Cobb has been one of Aaron Rodgers's most reliable targets and was there when the hobbled Rodgers led the Packers to a come from behind victory at home in the first game of the season in 2018. Likewise, Bears fans may be glad to see the often-posing Clay Matthews who has certainly been a problem for the Bears over the years.  Some believe Matthews is "over-the-hill," but let's keep in mind stat-wise that the NFL was adjusting to new rules last year that hurt some players like Matthews.  Also there should be some benefit to Matthews playing more game in a warmer climate. The Rams are also written about as a team that needs depth and certainly the former USC great can help  fill that need. 

Papa Bear and the Chicago Bears Winning Ways

A Look at Papa Bear

As we are coming up to the new football season. First the draft and then before you know it, it will be training camp. It's a great time to remind readers that we have a small book that has tremendous value for kids that we have available as an eBook on Kindle. It is called Papa Bear and the Chicago Bears’ Winning Ways by Patrick McCaskey. “Papa Bear” George Halas was the owner of the Chicago Bears and one of the founders of the National Football League. He was also the author's grandfather. This is a short book about how he successfully managed the Bears during the 20^th Century. It’s also a book that focuses on some of George Halas’s sayings or “winning ways” that may help you and your children.  

Papa Bear and the Chicago Bears Winning Ways discusses some historical events that affected George Halas and many others. When we do this, we put certain words in italics and then we explain them for the reader in the Glossary in the back of the book. It's a simple easy to read book that kids will like.