Would football improve without pass interference?

[Rain Man]

Assume that defensive holding rules still apply, but pass interference was just wiped off the rule book. Neither the offensive nor defensive player can get called for it any more.

How would it change the game? Would scoring go down or up or would it stay the same? Would receivers and defenders get larger or smaller?

I think the game might get more interesting. You wouldn't have annoying flags getting thrown all the time, and I wouldn't mind seeing players fighting for the ball downfield. You'd end up with big, strong guys like Kelce swatting defenders away like biplanes at the Empire State Building, and then you'd have little fast guys like Tyreek breaking free against the bigger defenders that would evolve.

I think it would return balance to the running game, reduce total offense, but perhaps more big plays. Thoughts?

[PunkinDrublic]

Well the Steelers defense gets to play like PI rules don’t exist.

[JD10367]

Regular PI = 15 yards
Egregious PI = spot foul

[kccrow]

No, it should exist. I agree with many it needs to be changed to 15 yards like NCAA. Also agree that OPI doesn't get called like it should. The defender is supposed to have the same right to the football, but they don't get it.

[CaliforniaChief]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Regular PI = 15 yards
Egregious PI = spot foul

I like this idea. Maybe regular PI would be 10 yards, but the intent of what you're saying is right. If the CB is flat-out beat and trying to save himself, it's a spot foul. Otherwise less penalty, keeps guys like Rapeslisthisberger and Carr from just chucking and praying.

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by JD10367

Regular PI = 15 yards
Egregious PI = spot foul

This looks good except it could be pretty subjective.

HOLDING needs to be improved! Ten yards is too much and the refs call it WAY too often. I hate when brilliant plays are nullified because some fatty on the line grabbed somebody's shirt for .5 seconds (especially when the violation has no effect on the play itself).

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by JD10367

PI against everyone else = 15 yards
PI against Patriots = spot foul

FYP

[tatorhog]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

DBs should be allowed to carry war hammers and receivers maces. That would improve viewership.

or just adopt Calcio rules

[notorious]

Just make the rule if the WR initiates contact anything goes. Until then no touching.

[bobbything]

I say just actually enforce the rule properly. If the defender actually prevents the receiver from catching the ball by intentionally grabbing their arm, pushing them, etc., then that's pass interference. If they aren't looking back at the ball, and make contact with the receiver prior to the ball getting there, then that's PI too.

However, if they are trying to make a play on the ball, and there's some bumping or hand-fighting or whatever, I say you let it go. If the defender isn't looking back, but makes contact with the ball before making contact with the receiver, then that's not PI. That's good defense.

The pass interference rule, and how it's enforced, is one of the most frustrating things to watch as a fan. It's so inconsistent and it favors the receiver by a long shot. One of the aspects of the rule that I hate, that is enforced all the time, is when a defender is making a great play on the ball, but has his hand ever-so-lightly wrapped around the receiver's torso. It has practically no bearing on anything yet it's pass interference. The defender has positioned himself to make a good play, but the slight grab on the torso has prevented the receiver from catching the ball? Yeah...no.

[Dayze]

if we do without PI, then we'll miss out on all the receivers getting up immediately after an incomplete pass and gesturing for a flag....regardless of whether PI was actually committed.

Receivers are like soccer players in this regard, and should get their SAG cars.

[scho63]

DPI needs to be toned down and OPI needs to be enforced.

Eliminating it would be horrific

[crayzkirk]

Originally Posted by scho63

DPI needs to be toned down and OPI needs to be enforced.

Eliminating it would be horrific

This makes the most sense. The worst part is the selective enforcement of the current rules. The game has been changed to favor the offense in so many ways. Almost every penalty that the defense does has the automatic first down associated with it already. There are few spot fouls on the offense nor any fouls on the offense that make it fourth down. There is little downside for the offensive player to interfere with the defensive player. Maybe adding a loss of down instead of a do over play.

[oldman]

Originally Posted by scho63

DPI needs to be toned down and OPI needs to be enforced.

Eliminating it would be horrific

Agreed. I'd even like to see the 5 yard limit on bumping changed to 10.

[JakeF]

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

St least change it to 15 yards and first down


Spot fouls are bullshit.

Defenders would just tackle the WRs whenever they got behind them deep.

[KranzDictum]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Assume that defensive holding rules still apply, but pass interference was just wiped off the rule book. Neither the offensive nor defensive player can get called for it any more.

How would it change the game? Would scoring go down or up or would it stay the same? Would receivers and defenders get larger or smaller?

I think the game might get more interesting. You wouldn't have annoying flags getting thrown all the time, and I wouldn't mind seeing players fighting for the ball downfield. You'd end up with big, strong guys like Kelce swatting defenders away like biplanes at the Empire State Building, and then you'd have little fast guys like Tyreek breaking free against the bigger defenders that would evolve.

I think it would return balance to the running game, reduce total offense, but perhaps more big plays. Thoughts?

No because teams like the Pats would push it to the extremes and erase passing all together in the NFL.

Plus all leagues want scoring, that is what sells tickets. Great D performances are considered boring by casual fans.