by Wayne Reeves

Created on: March 17, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Pass interference in the NFL is currently one of the most lopsided penalties to be called in respect of whether its called on the offense or defense. The game favor's scoring rather than defensive struggles more than ever, and this is reflected in the tinkering of the defensive pass interference rule and the increase in game changing calls.

There isn't anything more disheartening to a team and especially a defense, to see that yellow flag come flying out when it's been called for defensive pass interference. Many calls are made that define an entire game, it's hard to justify a 40 yard penalty yet the game officials see no problem in calling the biggest penalties on a regular basis.

With the defense under a more watchful gaze from the officials, offenses are now deliberately forcing a deep ball down the field in the hope that an over excited official will feel the urge to let loose his flag and turn the game in one play.

This is a manipulation of a rule (or otherwise know as cheating you could say) that needs to be addressed soon. Football is a contact sport, so why make contact on a pass almost a crime? There are some excellent defensive players in the league that are now having to pull themselves in on pass plays because the specter of that ominous flag, automatic first down and predictable big chunk of yardage they'll give up if they try and play full-tilt.

On offense, if a receiver does his utmost to mess up an interception attempt or knocks down a defender, then it's only a 10 yard penalty, hardly a deterrent in any situation to do it. Turnovers are always considered a big part of football , and usually a good indicator of who'll win in most cases. An offense essentially can limit turnovers to some degree by interfering with a defender's path to the football with little damage to field position and still maintain possession.

A defense has no such luxury or damage limitation play, they have to play faultless football or face real punishment to field position, and not least, a severe reprimand from their respective coaches. Also with the increased illegal contact penalties, a defense has never had it soo tough and that is detriment to the game of football.

Pass interference calls are a necessary evil but they need to be called more realistically, enough football has been played and watched to know when a player is genuinely in the wrong, there are many times now when a receiver with no apparent chance of a catch will take a dive, they very same methods undertaken by many soccer players.

The rules need to be adjusted whereas any pass can be legally contested on a roughly 50-50 basis, after all the players are all wearing helmet and pads for a reason, let the players fight it out on a level playing field for a change and not let the officials decide the eventual outcome by handicapping one of the teams so unfairly.

If the spot of the foul wasn't taken into consideration then pass interference on defense wouldn't be soo harsh, giving up free first downs is bad enough, don't kill a team's chances in one play on what is a subjective call at high speed. Maybe, just maybe, it'll be fun to play defense again.

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