An article on NFL.com discusses Manning's utter disgust with the new rule, and I don't blame him.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81a0e4a6/article/uptempo-colts-plead-for-adjustments-to-umpire-position-rule?module=HP_headlines
Quote:
INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL finally figured out how to slow down Colts quarterback Peyton Manning: Change the rules.
Apparently, the changes are now under further review.
The league wasted no time in responding to all the complaints.
"The movement of the umpire to the offensive backfield will happen in the regular season," league spokesman Michael Signora said in a statement given to The Associated Press on Friday. "We continue to analyze and review the impact of the change in the preseason, and we may announce some adjustments to the mechanics of the position prior to Week 1."
Colts players and coaches believe refinements are an absolute necessity after Thursday night's debacle in Green Bay. ....
What the Colts objected to Thursday were the delays between spotting the ball and the umpire getting in position to start the play, which visibly frustrated the only four-time MVP in league history.
"The one (illegal snap) on me I thought was ridiculous. Down there by the goal line when you're snapping the ball to keep them from potentially getting a replay," Manning said after the game. "Also, they're unsettled. To throw a 5-yard penalty is absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. So I think that's one thing that will be re-evaluated -- at least a do-over of some sort, or a warning, but a 5-yard penalty, that's ridiculous."
Another concern is consistency.
Instead of simply making calls, things could change from week to week, based on the crews, or even play to play, based on whether the umpire is out of breath. It could even force teams to study how fast each umpire in the league gets into position, so they know when to expect when the ball is put in play.
"We certainly hope not," Caldwell said when asked about the possibility. "We hope that it's going to be one that is pretty uniform throughout, so that we don't have to make any adjustments on a weekly basis depending upon who is calling the game."
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The controversy could be coming soon to a stadium near you.
Though Indianapolis relies more extensively on the up-tempo pace than others, all NFL teams eventually could find themselves not only racing against the clock but against the umpire at the end of the half or the game -- if the rules continue to be applied the way they were at Green Bay. It could cost teams scoring chances and potentially change the game, which is why Caldwell spent Friday making his case to tweak the rule. ...
And that might be enough to appease Manning.
"I don't think very highly of it right now," he said. "Initially, it's still a work in progress, hopefully they mean that and they're still analyzing how it's going to work. It certainly didn't seem like it took some of the things that we do and other things do into account when they made the rule. I'm not a big fan of it right now."
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
A few fan comments below caught my eye.
Quote:
"Hate on Manning if you want. But most folks will agree that when YOUR team is trying to get down the field this year with no timeouts or 1 timeout and they're losing 3-5 seconds a play to the refs, you will be screaming. It will happen and you'll find yourself agreeing with Manning."
Quote:
"Who cares if refs get injured anyways? Getting hit as a ref is pretty much part of the job. NFL refs should go look at what NHL refs have to put up with... pucks and sticks to the face and getting run over by 230 pound players moving faster than chris johnson."