Football - NFL Should Reconsider the Validity

Rams coach Scott Linehan consider that the NFL should reexamine the validity of the 10-second runoff. This complain is made by the coach following the strange ending in St. Louis' 30-28 loss to Seattle. During the game, the Seahawks were down to 28-27 and used a running play to reach the St. Louis 31 in the final seconds on Sunday. The players hurried to the line and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck spiked the ball with 4 seconds left to set up a field goal allowing his team to win the game.

After the goal, officials flagged a yellow flag. While many of the Rams began to celebrate in anticipation of an offensive penalty, officials announced that the Seahwaks were flagged for illegal information and not for a false start. The false start penalty would have required the runoff. The illegal formation call simply moved the ball back five yards. Eventually Josh Brown made a 54-yard field goal to win it for Seattle (4-1), which moved back into first place in the NFC West, a half-game ahead of St. Louis (4-2).

For Linehan there a no issues about the ruling during that game, but there some with the rule itself. According to the coach teams may be tempted to use the loophole of the rule to their advantage. For instance, a trailing team completing a long pass might not have time to get the rest of the team to the ball in the waning seconds. Therefore t would be advantageous to take the illegal formation penalty. Even though Linehan admitted that this scenario is unlikely to occur often, it would give additional seconds to win the game.

The Rams are accustomed to dramatic endings this season. They won over Arizona when Kurt Warner shot as the Cardinals were moving toward a chip-shot game-winning field goal. Later they won in Green Bay thanks to Brett Favre who shot as the Packers were near a tying field goal or even a winning touchdown. It is worth emphasizing that all six of their games have been decided by only a touchdown or less.