Did we get rid of the wrong penalty machine?

[Fan_in_Kettering]

(09-25-2018, 11:20 AM)fortyyearfan Wrote: The panthers offensive line was holding the whole game and the stinkin refs never called it.

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.