Did we get rid of the wrong penalty machine?

[*rfaulk34*]

(09-25-2018, 02:38 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I share your frustration completely but I think Bengaldom needs to understand the definition of “holding” has changed over the decades.  What was always called in, say, 1988 does not get called in 2018.  Here’s why:

First of all, if holding protects a franchise quarterback, it’s not called.  The referees allow it.  The only time holding will be called on a pass play is if the offensive player tackles the defensive player to the ground.

Holding is not called on running plays against the middle of the line unless, again, a defensive player is tackled to the ground.  However, if holding occurs by either offensive tackle, it’s nearly always called.

Forty years ago, holding was called if the blocker got his hands outside the defensive player’s shoulders or there was blatant grabbing of the pads in front of the chest.  Now the chest part of the pads can be grabbed without penalty.  As long as the offensive player appears to be pushing instead of pulling, it’s not holding.

Offensive linemen are allowed to "hold" a defender as long as he doesn't impede his progress toward the QB or ball carrier. They can hold until the defender starts to pull away, then they have to let go. 

Teams that "get away" with holding--as fans like to put it--are good because they're able to keep defenders in front of them and not allow them to try and disengage. That's exactly what the steelers do. 

With that said, there are times a flag isn't thrown when it should be and it has nothing to do with bias, it's just missed by the refs. If there was a ref for every offensive lineman, more holds would be called. Fans have the benefit of a much better angle to view from.