Perhaps You Noticed…
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- March
- 19
But San Francisco coach Mike Nolan has suggested that a bit of subjectivity be injected into pass interference calls. His proposal, not likely to be accepted, calls for a 15-yard penalty for less serious interference, and a spot-of-the-foul call for the more flagrant ones.
The competition committee, which met last week, didn’t think it was all that wise to offer officials such broad latitude in making these calls. Can’t blame the committee. Pass interference calls are judgement calls by nature, which means they are unreviewable under the challenge system. Imagine the squawking you’d get from an offensive coach if a ref threw a flag 50 yards downfield and called it a 15-yard touch penalty. Those guys think defensive backs come equipped with hammers in their back pockets to begin with. Try convincing them that the DB didn’t try to plant their guy.
On the other hand, I see Nolan’s point. He’s trying to reduce the reward for a quarterback just flinging it downfield in hopes of getting an interference call. I just call that strategy—one that might have helped Eli Manning a few times this year as he dumped off one pass after another to Tiki Barber.
It’s all cool, though. I’ve known Nolan since he coordinated the Giants’ defense for Dan Reeves, and his heart’s in the right place. Righter, at least, than when he’d play the short field for Reeves during the annual Media-Coaches softball game that kicked off training camp. Now, I’m not saying I’m a great softball player. But Nolan was particularly devious in how he positioned himself just to the deep right of second when I came up.
I’d smack a nice liner off pitcher Reeves into the second-base hole, and Nolan would range over, stretch out with the glove I LOANED HIM, and rob me repeatedly of singles. Then, for good measure, Reeves would sail one under my chin the next at-bat.
And then Nolan would have the nerve to complain to me that my glove was too big for his liking.
Never quite forgave him for that.
Wonder who he’s torturing in San Fran?
Ciao for now.
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 19th, 2007 at 3:26 pm by Ernie Palladino. 
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Ernie Palladino
Good story about Nolan.
His daddy was OK too. White Plains HS,
I think, and later a Giants DB i the late ‘50s.
Then later head coach of
what…the Niners and Saints?
Del:
Yep. Coached the Niners from ‘68-75, and the Saints from ‘78-80. Supposedly a really good guy, too.
Read the next post. I think all you guys who respond will be pleased.
think nolan has a sound idea. the college pass interference rule is more sensible than the nfl spot foul.