ESPN Magazine A-11 Article

[Tim C]

I have never officiated a real football game in my life.

I have, however, read all of Kurt's drivel, watched two Oregon teams play the offense and watched films of other teams.

I also have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

Kurt is simply mining a loop hole in the rules that we hope will soon be closed.

Regards,

[OverAndBack]

Haven't read the article yet.

Haven't seen the A-11 in Arizona, but we were briefed on it in the preseason and I heard there were maybe a couple of schools using it.

My only opinion on the coach in question is that he sure seems to stir up more indignation in this forum than I can personally muster, but that's fine. He found a new method of doing things, and that's fine, too.

I don't think the A11 is a travesty or makes a mockery of the game. It's an innovation, like the single wing was and the t-formation was and the shotgun was and trips and the h-back and any number of other things that have happened since Walter Camp. No more, no less.

It does seem to go against the spirit of the rule which is being exploited, but we have a process for that. In the history of this game, rules have been made, people have found ways around them, and the rulesmakers adjust. 'Twas ever thus.

[Sonofanump]

Do these two statements contradict each other?

“An offensive revolution is coming to the NFL. Can anyone stop it?”

“The A-11 isn't close to legal in the NFL, and probably never will be.”

False advertising in the article header.

One of the guys I worked a basketball game earlier this month said he ran into the A-11 here in Nebraska, in a freshman game. He ended up having the same school in the playoffs, and asked the varsity head coach if he uses any of the A-11 stuff, and the coach looked at him like he was crazy. Apparently, the freshman coaches at that school slipped some of that stuff in without letting the varsity coach know. What a riot.