re: Saban: It's virtually impossible to come up with a defensive scheme to stop RPOs

quote:

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The problem with the linemen downfield call is nobody calls it. It's a bitch to monitor. The official is looking for holding, chop blocks, hands to the face, and he's supposed to figure out if the tackle is past 3 yards downfield? It would be much easier if it were one yard. Then, if the lineman is past the line of scrimmage at all, and the ball is thrown, penalty.

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Part of Saban's statement is just him being candid about an offensive play he (and pretty much everyone) struggles with. If you actually pay attention, Saban is actually a lot more open and candid when talking about X's and O's and strategy than a lot of other coaches. He doesn't just give you coach speak. That's why he is often a very good listen on stuff like this.

The other part of Saban's statement is to get at the first part of your statement and try to keep the enforcement of the existing lineman downfield penalty in the forefront of officials minds. Maybe even hoping that one day they will change it to the NFL rule (can only be 1 yard downfield on passing plays beyond line of scrimmage rather than the college 3 yard rule) but at a minimum hoping that they focus on at least strictly calling the 3 yard rule.

The statement is both candid assessment and signaling to officials.