Questions about the American sport of football. Not to be confused with the [football] tag, which Americans call "soccer."
1
vote
1answer
34 views
How does a typical spread offense contrast from a typical pro-style offense?
In the NFL, several teams such as the Carolina Panthers (with Cam Newton), the San Francisco 49ers (with Colin Kaepernick), the Seattle Seahawks (with Russell Wilson), and the Washington Redskins ...
5
votes
3answers
119 views
What is the red zone in rugby (or American football) and how did it get that name?
What is the red zone in rugby (or American football) and how did it get the name red zone? I couldn't see anything mentioned about this in the Wikipedia page for both games.
3
votes
1answer
72 views
Legal way to perform a second forward pass?
A receiver catches a forward pass, lands deliberately just on one foot and then throws the football forward with so-called "throwing motion".
According to the rules:
A Pass is the movement of the ...
3
votes
2answers
150 views
What factors could have contributed to the fall of the Oakland Raiders?
The Raiders of the 70's claimed the best winning percentage of any team in all of professional sports.
However, although they played in the Super Bowl in 2002, the Raiders followed that with seven ...
4
votes
2answers
131 views
What are the rules governing passing in american football?
Last night after having seen the Super Bowl I ended up watching Top Ten Trick Plays in NFL on youtube. Some of the tricks that are mentioned in there made it clear that I was not fully informed on the ...
8
votes
2answers
237 views
What if a field goal is missed and it's not 4th down?
I guess it's commonplace to see a football team attempt a field goal on 4th down. Let's say the football team for whatever reason decides to kick it on 2nd or 3rd down and they miss it. Does that ...
8
votes
2answers
105 views
What's the rule governing the Lynch touchdown in the Falcons - Seahawks game playoff game?
In an amazing comeback Seahawks got a TD less than a minute on the clock. The running back Marshawn Lynch seemed to fumble the ball, which was then picked up by the center and carried in the end zone. ...
4
votes
1answer
363 views
How are compensatory draft picks decided for the NFL?
The draft for the National Football League (NFL) now includes 32 compensatory draft picks awarded to teams that lost value in free agency prior to the draft. These picks are awarded at the ends of ...
4
votes
1answer
412 views
Why do the captains of the New England Patriots not wear captain patches?
I am a die hard Pats fan and I have always wondered this. Before the 2012-2013 season, the Patriots released their captain list...
Tom Brady
Logan Mankins
Vince Wilfork
Jerod Mayo
Devin McCourty
...
6
votes
2answers
142 views
History of NFL scoring format
Can anyone tell me why the NFL uses the current scoring format of 6 points plus extra point for a touchdown, 3 points for a field goal, 2 points for a safety.
Is there a history or story behind why ...
8
votes
2answers
506 views
In college sports, does a redshirt have to sit a whole season?
More specifically to college football or even basketball, is a player who is redshirted allowed to play at all during their redshirt season?
2
votes
1answer
2k views
What is the difference between a strong safety and a free safety?
There are two distinct labels for a "safety" in football: strong (SS) and free (FS).
Ed Reed (FS - Houston Texans) and Troy Polamalu (SS - Pittsburgh Steelers) are two of the premier players in the ...
7
votes
1answer
139 views
NFL standings: 8-6-2 team vs 9-7-0 team?
Are they considered to have the same records? One should just apply tie-breaking procedures?
NFL rules say:
If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish ...
5
votes
2answers
408 views
What is the difference between a regular defensive tackle and a nose tackle?
In American Football I sometimes hear the defensive tackle getting called the "nose tackle". I know that it has something to do with the 4-3 3-4 schemes but can somebody give me an explanation along ...
6
votes
1answer
239 views
Differences between fullbacks, halfbacks, and running backs
In American football, there are various position designations for runners that carry the ball across the line of scrimmage: full, half and running back.
Are there any differences between the three ...
1
vote
0answers
99 views
Collegiate walk-on becoming a statistical all-time leader
In 2012, quarterback Matt McGloin became the all-time leader in career passing touchdowns, with 45, at Penn State University(1). McGloin started his college career as a walk-on(2).
In collegiate ...
6
votes
2answers
323 views
Why wasn't Schwartz's challenge during the Thanksgiving Lions/Texans reviewed?
During the Nov 22, 2012 Detroit Lions/Houston Texans game, Lions head coach Jim Schwartz challenged a scoring play where the runner appeared to be down by contact. Since scoring plays are ...
6
votes
2answers
419 views
What happened to the wishbone?
The top rushing teams in college football are running some form of the wishbone/triple-option and some are doing it with less size and speed (military academies). It doesn't appear that defenses have ...
-2
votes
1answer
397 views
Why does the NFL have ties and only one overtime? [closed]
I'm a San Francisco 49ers fan, and after watching last night's game, I'm perplexed. Why in the world does the NFL allow a tie?! The whole point of sports is that there is supposed to be one winner and ...
4
votes
1answer
123 views
How is a penalty enforced on an extra point to end the half?
This happened recently in a high school game I was watching and it appeared that the referees did not know exactly how to enforce it. While this happened in a high school game, I am curious about the ...
4
votes
1answer
950 views
Why are there stickers on helmets of football players in college football
While watching college football this afternoon I saw a couple college football players with stickers on the back of their helmets.
Why are there stickers on the back helmets of football players ? Are ...
3
votes
1answer
238 views
What happens if a team kicks the ball through the uprights on a kickoff?
What happens if during a kickoff, the kicker kicks the ball through the uprights?
These are the two situations I think this is possible:
The game kick-off
Kick after touchdown
6
votes
1answer
331 views
NFL Tiebreaking: What is “Strength of Victory”?
The NFL lists the following Tiebreaking Procedures to break ties within a division:
Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games ...
6
votes
1answer
124 views
What will happen to the current Bowl games when the playoff system commences?
In 2014, the NCAA will switch from the current Bowl Game system for Division 1 football to a four-team playoff format wherein the top 4 teams will compete for the championship. Will the current Bowl ...
4
votes
3answers
188 views
Safety during overtime's first possesion
For last year's postseason (and this year's regular season), the NFL adopted a new sudden death format.
The following approved ruling for a safety on an opening possession states:
A.R. 16.19 ...
7
votes
1answer
131 views
Does the defense have to defend the extra point?
At the end of the controversial Green Bay Packer / Seattle Seahawks game on Monday night, the Seahawks were awarded a touchdown as time expired that gave them a 13-12 point lead. In the ensuing ...
6
votes
1answer
181 views
By what rule was the final play of the Packers/Seahawks game a touchdown?
There was a controversial call at the end of the Green Bay/Seattle game in which a play which appeared to result in an interception was ruled a touchdown. Because of how chaotic the catch was, it's ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
Why do football players say “Oskie” after an interception?
When I was learning to play football in the backyard as a child, my family would always say "Oskie" after the quarterback threw an interception. I always thought that it was just some sort of family ...
5
votes
1answer
934 views
When a QB slides, is it considered a dead ball?
I was watching the Niners-Lions game last week and saw something that has me a little confused. I was under the impression that when a quarterback slides in the NFL, the play is considered dead when ...
6
votes
1answer
455 views
Why is no second football game televised (possibly just in NY)?
Something confuses the heck out of me in regards to TV broadcasting of (American) Football.
I used to live in Seattle. On Sunday, there were the early games, and the later games. One was selected ...
9
votes
4answers
376 views
What is the purpose of the eligible reciever rules?
I do not know a lot about American Football, but I enjoy watching games from time to time. The other day I saw a penalty given for a player catching a pass but being an ineligible receiver. I had not ...
8
votes
5answers
863 views
Why is NFL season significantly shorter compared to most other sports?
I am not sure but if I remember correctly the NFL teams play 15-16 games during regular season and a couple more in the play-offs if they can make it the whole way. Why such a short season, in ...
8
votes
1answer
4k views
NFL 6th (consecutive) year captain patch
Since 2007, many NFL teams incorporated a "C" patch for team captains, and the number of gold stars filled in represents the number of consecutive years a player has been captain for his team.
If he ...
5
votes
1answer
117 views
How does the interference call work in american football?
I try to follow american football as much as I can, but having lived my whole life in Europe it's not something you get exposed to alot. So I had to decipher the game by myself.
One particular rule ...
3
votes
3answers
176 views
When a quarterback sees a reciever/cornerback mismatch, what is the correct throw? [closed]
I was arguing this with my friend. He claims that if a quarterback sees that his receiver is much faster, he should throw a quick pass and let the receiver juke his way past the cornerback. My ...
4
votes
4answers
213 views
What kind of impact does a full season suspension of a major player have on an NFL team?
Recently Jonathan Vilma was sidelined by the NFL for the entire 2012 season. Vilma is an impact player on the Saints' defense.
What measurable impact does a full season suspension (or injury, like ...
6
votes
1answer
400 views
What are the rules for NFL restricted free agents that have a first round tender?
For teams with multiple first round draft picks, what are the rules defining which first round draft pick that a team would need to give up if it signs a restricted free agent (RFA) that have the ...
10
votes
2answers
159 views
What is the actual waiver wire?
Saw a tweet from Adam Shefter, an ESPN NFL Insider, regarding Peyton Manning being released:
Still no NFL waiver wire, so any team reaching out to Peyton Manning now would be violating the rules.
...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
What type of individual player incentives are allowed in the NFL?
Recently, ESPN (and others) reported that the New Orleans Saints had instituted a "bounty" program. This program awarded players for inflicting game-ending injuries against the opposing teams and ...
4
votes
1answer
87 views
Finding the odds of games in the past [closed]
I'm interested in finding the odds (aka spread or latest line) of NFL games that were played in the past, as far back as the 1960's. In general, the odds that were printed in newspapers.
Where can I ...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
Why is American football called football? [closed]
Why is American football called "football" even though the players play with their hands more than their feet? It seems to be very similar to rugby, and doesn't have the name "American Rugby". What ...
8
votes
2answers
416 views
What is the job of the Assistant Coach in the NFL?
I understand what the job of a Head Coach is, but what does the Assistant Head Coach actually do during games/in the office?
12
votes
2answers
551 views
What is the role of the Captain on the (american) football field?
After reading this post about soccer or football (for europeans), What is the on-field role of the captain? i was curious about this issue in american football.
What is the role of the football ...
14
votes
3answers
13k views
“53 has the Mic” means what in American Football?
I frequently hear quarterbacks say something like "53 has the mic" when pointing out the defensive formation. Usually the player number that he points out is a linebacker.
I believe the defensive ...
3
votes
2answers
557 views
Football equipment that can reduce risk of concussions
Concussions are becoming a major long-term health concern for participants in American football, particularly among youth and high school leagues, where equipment might not be as up to date as those ...
10
votes
1answer
662 views
What makes a formation illegal?
Sometimes the referee will flag a team for having an "illegal formation". What are the restrictions on how a team is allowed to line up?
10
votes
2answers
925 views
When is an offensive lineman allowed to move?
I've noticed that sometimes an offensive lineman will seem to get down in his stance but then stand back up to listen to the Quarterbacks' audible.
But when he is in his stance and merely twitches ...
7
votes
2answers
221 views
Why is the player in the middle of I-formation called the fullback?
From the names of the positions, I would assume that in an I-formation the order (from front to back) would be quarterback, halfback, then fullback.
This Image of the I-Form shows the fullback in ...
7
votes
1answer
367 views
Wide nine defensive scheme disadvantages
Correct me if i'm wrong I've read a little about a wide-nine defensive scheme. Trying to get an understanding of this.
From my understanding, a wide nine defensive philosophy depends on defensive ...
10
votes
2answers
543 views
Number of gap techniques in american football
While reading this thread and this one i had trouble following the football terminology of the different "techniques" for defensive line men.
What does it mean to have a 1 / 2 / 3 / 5 gap technique ...
