[APG]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

The NBA has explicitly modified rules with the purpose of increasing scoring...targeting their viewing audiences wishes. I don't think the NFL has necessarily done so to the same degree. (I don't watch baseball so I can't comment there). Some of the NFL football rules actually are counter to increased scoring (e.g., 2 feet down vs 1 foot down on a sideline reception).

The indictment is more about the NBA as a league and not the officials. I have no doubt that the officials are doing a great job calling the game as they're hired to do. The league just have a different goal in how they want the game called...and the officials do the job they're hired to do.

And the NFL hasn't?

Just about every rule in the passing game has to do with increasing passing and making it easier to pass. Hence the reason you can chuck a receiver at 3 yards...but at 5.5 yards, it's a penalty...hence the reason pass interference is a spot foul. It's the same reason why you almost never see offensive pass interference versus defensive pass interference. It's why every penalty, save for a few minor penalties, are automatic first downs if committed by the defense. It's also the reason why the passer (mainly the QB) is the most protected player in the game. If you could see how long the section on roughing the passer and other roughness penalties against the quarterback is in the NFL rule book is, you'd see how much of a point they make it to protect the quarterback (fans know the QB...and they love high scoring passing games).

Let's not kid ourselves...the NFL likes when there are high scoring games that involve the passing game and have adjusted the playing rules to try and influence that. I'm guessing they wouldn't mind going to one foot inbounds versus two, if it wasn't so ingrained in fans.