i am confident that the Rams offense will benefit from this new rule. The question remains however, will the defense fair better than league average in challenged calls? Some defensive backs are very handsy, clever at using the off hand in pulling or tugging on a receiver just before the attempted catch. The new rule will, depending on the angles available reveal this more frequently than in real time. How will the Rams defenseive backs stack up in technique? Although I watch every game last year I didn’t watch so closely to see who gets away with early contact and who does not. It is hard to detect in real time. A team that comes to mind is the Seattle Seahawks, who’s defensive backs always “seem” to get away with lots of contact and contact while the ball is in the air. I don’t care for the rule or any other rule that slows the game down, but it should be interesting to see the effects of its use and implementation. Coaches will now have to decide when to make the call with a limited number of challenges. It may also effect how officials call pass interference. The let them play mantra at the end of a game or during playoff games should take a hit. Here is hopping that this new rule benefits the Rams more than it hurts them! I would love to see them get a PI call on a challenge to beat the Saints in the playoffs next year.
