The slowdown rule does NOT affect only a couple of plays per game

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The offense HURRIES to the line of scrimmage. THEN they get the play signalled in. The fact that the offense is lined up over the ball means they COULD snap at any time, so the defense cannot take the chance on subbing.

Why is this point getting past so many people? It's obvious.

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Because the point is the offense never actually forces the defense not to sub. The defense has every right to sub until the ball is snapped.

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The offense HURRIES to the line of scrimmage. THEN they get the play signalled in. The fact that the offense is lined up over the ball means they COULD snap at any time, so the defense cannot take the chance on subbing.

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that not true, ref stands over the ball, and they could get the play called in 5 seconds and snap it under 10.

But the offense controls WHEN the ball is snapped. The fact that they are lined up and in control of the snap means the defense cannot substitute.

It's not a hard point, really.

I thought this was about safety?

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The fact that the offense hurries to the line of scrimmage and then waits to signal in the play is the point. Looking at when the ball is snapped and determining that this rule wouldn't affect anything is either stupid or being willfully ignorant. The offense HURRIES to the line of scrimmage. THEN they get the play signalled in. The fact that the offense is lined up over the ball means they COULD snap at any time, so the defense cannot take the chance on subbing. Why is this point getting past so many people? It's obvious.

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I would make the argument that 250 pound linebackers running 4.4 forties contribute more to injuries than hurrying up to the line so that they COULD snap the ball at any time. I don't see Saban saying there should be physical limitations for college players to eliminate injuries.

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Because the point is the offense never actually forces the defense not to sub. The defense has every right to sub until the ball is snapped.

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Right. Because subbing while the offense is on the line sounds like a fantastic idea.

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Because the point is the offense never actually forces the defense not to sub. The defense has every right to sub until the ball is snapped.

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This. The defense can do whatever it wants when it wants. There is no rule that says the defense cannot sub. They just can't have more than 11 on the field at the snap.

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But the offense controls WHEN the ball is snapped

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Its kind of like one team is defensive and reacting and the other is on the offensive and acting




I know, mind blown

I am talking about a very specific point. I am not Nick Saban, so this thread has no bearing on his reasons for suggesting the rule. I am not saying I think the rule is the best way to address this or even that the proposed rule is a good idea.

I am saying that since the offense hurries to the LOS, and they control when the ball is snapped, the defense cannot sub. So even if the offense waits 20 seconds before snapping, the defense still can't sub because if they tried, the offense could just snap the ball while players were leaving the field.

On this very specific point, I am illustrating why this rule does not "affect only a few plays per game" as some people are asserting.