Experimental NFL Europe mechanics?

[bigwes68]

I just flipped over to an NFL Europe game on the NFL Network...it looks like they are experimenting with some different mechanics. Namely, moving the U behind the line of scrimmage opposite the R (except on scrimmage kick plays). Anyone else noticed this? Or has this been around in NFL Europe for a while and I just haven't noticed it?

[JRutledge]

It does look like that.

Peace

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by bigwes68

I just flipped over to an NFL Europe game on the NFL Network...it looks like they are experimenting with some different mechanics. Namely, moving the U behind the line of scrimmage opposite the R (except on scrimmage kick plays). Anyone else noticed this? Or has this been around in NFL Europe for a while and I just haven't noticed it?

Have they given a reason? Or do they just want to encourage holding & not admit it?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Robert Goodman

Have they given a reason? Or do they just want to encourage holding & not admit it?

The reasoning is based on the fact that some feel it would be safer to have an official in the backfield rather than in harms way with passing routes and a ball carrier running directly at them. I guess the idea it that they can see holding or other infractions from the same position that the referee can. After all this is an experiment because I know of nothing that has anything to do with encouraging holding. This was to avoid official injury and keep them out of direct line of play.

Peace

[grantsrc]

Safety is the main reason. Also, haven't seen it yet but are the U's wearing a helmet yet? There is a REALLY good chance that NFL umpires will be wearing some kind of headgear. The NFL had 5 or 6 different styles of headgear for the NFL umpires to look at and the feedback I got from one guy that saw them said they looked pretty good and he is looking forward to seeing what the final decision is.

[eyezen]

I too caught some of the first part of the game while channel surfing...and they had explained it was mainly because of the safety factor. However one thing I noticed was how weird it was not seeing the U at the end of the play and how long it took to for him (or someone else) to run up and spot the ball...I wonder what kind of impact that will have in hurry up situations?

[SWFLguy]

How do they cover the spot of illegal forward passes past the LOS and
other related umpire mechanics like ineligibles downfield if the U
in the the offensive backfield ?
I think it is a poor idea.
Every official is at risk, and most umpires love the perspective of
the game that they have with offenses coming towards them.
Just this old U of 37 seasons sayin' !

[Robert Goodman]

Originally Posted by eyezen

I too caught some of the first part of the game while channel surfing...and they had explained it was mainly because of the safety factor. However one thing I noticed was how weird it was not seeing the U at the end of the play and how long it took to for him (or someone else) to run up and spot the ball...I wonder what kind of impact that will have in hurry up situations?

It was only a few years ago that they reassigned that task from R to U.

Recently I viewed some film from the 1940s in which 3-man mechanics was used. On some scrimmage downs the U started in a wing position, and as or before the ball was snapped (sometimes as the OL got into 3-pt), moved toward the present U's position. In others the U started in the present position.

Robert