Comments on: Bucs Busted For “Words,” Not Shift

By: ander33

ander33 — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:30:04 +0000

first leaping and then this bs watching that call being made me sick its terrible but whatever bucs need to finish this games because i dont care what nobody says if you can get a yard in 4 tries in the goal line. then you shouldnt deserve to win. somebody tell sullivan to qb sneak it and it wouldve been a different story youre paying a 355 pound guard name nicks millions of dollars for a reason. rather than give it to blount. that was just terrible

By: 1976Buc

1976Buc — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:47:54 +0000

Maybe a list of approved words is in order.

By: Macabee

Macabee — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:29:10 +0000

Gentlemen,

Be careful that you don’t assume that what is being said is that it was only the fact that words were spoken that this penalty was called. In this particular case, it was the spoken word of Mason Foster that was deemed a “disconcerting signal”. The rule specifically states that disconcerting is defined as “The defensive use of acts or words designed to disconcert an offensive player at the snap”.

This is an intentional vague rule written to allow the referee the judgment to determine what is a “disconcerting signal”. There is no list of infractions written into the rule. If everyone had stood up and started clapping their hands, it might have likewise been deemed a “disconcerting signal” even though no words were spoken.

The NFL has lots of these types of rules subject to interpretation that have become settled law by the actions of the parties, ie, years of practice where certain behavior has become acceptable even though the rule doesn’t spell it out. Like the victory formation where teams have generally accepted over the years how teams behave even though there is no specific language in a rule that addresses it.

That gray area is where Schiano is going against the grain. True, he has broken no rules, but is not adhering to the generally accepted behavior of the league. I won’t pass judgment on what he is doing, but he may earn his team unnecessary scrutiny or even unequal treatment by the officials if he persists!

By: BigMacAttack

BigMacAttack — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:08:57 +0000

LightningBuc, you make a great point.

Eric, I agree with you. Coach needs to get with the program.

By: DallasBuc

DallasBuc — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:56:04 +0000

‘words designed to disconcert an offensive team at the snap’

Could there be anymore subjective language defining this rule? Just because schiano is a rookie head coach from college doesn’t mean that this was a mistake. Some ref with delicate sensibilities thought he heard a disconcerting word on a football field. Garbage folks!
I hope Schiano and Foster defend kicks like this every time. Maybe it’s the NFLs mistake for writing such an unclear rule that is clearly open to any liberal interpretation.

How disconcerting

By: MTM

MTM — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:51:47 +0000

I can’t wait for next weeks made up calls. I wonder how the refs can screw the Bucs and hats off to N.O. o-line for not getting any holding calls all game.

By: AmbushBuc

AmbushBuc — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:25:35 +0000

There was a controversy over this last year and the NFL warned teams not to do it.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/09/30/nfl-reminds-teams-not-to-simulate-snap-counts/

By: @eric

@eric — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:10:25 +0000

So now coach knows what works in college doesn’t translate to the NFL, he’s just like the newbie draftees, he’s a rookie head coach that is making dumb mental errors, Ome on coach feel free to read the NFL Manuel, should be in your top drawer next to the bible and cafeteria keys.

By: JBUC24

JBUC24 — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:02:34 +0000

I am mentally drained from this game and the aftermath info that comes with it!!

Our team seems to be under a microscope ever since kneelgate.

By: Bucsnutt

Bucsnutt — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:57:51 +0000

Why does it seem that the Bucs tend to get a little more than their fare share of the obscure penalties that haven’t been called but maybe three or four times in NFL history? Disconcerting signals, leaping, hell, I’ll even include K2′s pass interference calls… At least the tuck rule hasn’t gotten us (yet)

By: Gus

Gus — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:56:49 +0000

We can rest now its over……no. There is still the mystery of what he said. Words like “hike” and “go” are against the rules and I get that. But if he said “shift” or “move” that is certainly not against the rules.

By: raphael

raphael — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 22:45:01 +0000

OHHH its Waayy from over my friends !!!

A new excitement has been brought to kneeldowns and FG’s ….wait till we see what happenes with timeouts !!