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AB's Block -- Crack back?

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by RobVos, Dec 16, 2015.

  1. RobVos

    RobVos Well-Known Member

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    Oct 16, 2011
    As I watched the game and they called AB for a crack back block I wondered why they did not elaborate on it a bit. From what I saw, that block did not fit what I believe to be the definition of a crack back block. The hit was basically straight on, the defender was not engaged with another blocker, it was not on the line of scrimmage and I do not think it was going back toward the ball location. It only met a single of multiple criteria for being a crack back - hit to the legs.

    Anyone have a video of this block (if my recollection is not right)?

    I still can't believe they call that (which was less than iffy) yet did not call 55 for the low dive to Ben's legs after a throw.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  2. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    I agree fully, and i was screaming at the TV at the call. One of many bad calls and no calls Sunday. It was like someone in Cinci was holding the officiating crew's families hostage.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  3. santeesteel

    santeesteel

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    I was scratching my head too. Even after watching the game replay yesterday. I thought a crack back was what they used to call "clipping"?
     
  4. Busman

    Busman

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    Your right Rob. Totally not a crack back. Refs are on crack

    Thing is after the hit the defender ( don't recall who it was) seemed upset with AB. lol.. Totally legal hit if you ask me
     
  5. Blast Furnace

    Blast Furnace Staff Member Mod Team

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    Seriously, I know we all complain about the refs but it was blatantly bad in that game. I don't know what the deal was but that game was clearly called in Cincys favor.

    NFL brass should be reviewing that game in front of that officiating crew and asking them to explain each of those calls/non calls.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. 86WardsWay

    86WardsWay Well-Known Member

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    I'm glad you brought this up. That in no way was a crack back block. There was never a second player involved and AB was in front of the guy. It looked completely legal to me.
     
  7. santeesteel

    santeesteel

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    The calls/non-calls have been horrible this year league wide. they get worse every year. I think that they've changed and tweaked the rules so much that noone knows what's a penalty and what's not anymore. Certainly not the part time officials.
     
  8. TerribleTowelFlying

    TerribleTowelFlying Staff Member Site Admin Mod Team

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    Your recollection is right. I made a gif of the play. It's a large gif, so I put it in a spoiler.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. RobVos

    RobVos Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that GIF. I am even more vexed about that call now.
    The flag came extremely late. (was that official near the Bengals sideline?)
    Initial contact was straight on and actually the defender initiated a shoulder hit as well.
    After the play the defender grabbed the face mask and pulled AB significantly then another defender started pushing AB.
    Like the 3rd man in in NHL, that should be an additional penalty.
     
  10. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    It was a crock-back block... as in crock of :poopy:
     
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 1
  11. 58stillers

    58stillers

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    I didn't search for the exact rule.... but it expanded in 2012, and the definition includes hitting a defender below the waist within 5 yards of the LOS. I would say that it was indeed a crackback block according to that updated definition.


    The rule states it is an illegal crackback block if a defensive player is contacted below the waist within an area five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage, within close line play, by an offensive player who is moving toward the position from which the ball is snapped,” Johnson said. “An offensive player who is aligned more than two yards outside the tackle when the ball is snapped is prohibited from coming back toward the football and blocking low or hitting a player in the head or neck area.
     
  12. Clive From PIT

    Clive From PIT I'm starting to drink the Koolaid! Site Admin

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    ARTICLE 2. ILLEGAL CRACKBACK BLOCK

    It is an Illegal Crackback Block if a defensive player is contacted below the waist within an area five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage, including within close-line play, by an offensive player who is moving toward the position from which the ball was snapped, and:
      1. the offensive player was aligned more than two yards outside an offensive tackle (flexed) when the ball was snapped
      2. the offensive player was in a backfield position when the ball was snapped and moved to a position more than two yards outside an offensive tackle
    Note 1: If there is a broken play, significantly changing the original direction, the crackback block is legal. When the change in direction is the result of a designed play (reverse), the restriction remains in effect.

    Note 2: A player who is protected from a crackback block is also a defenseless player (see Article 7).​
    LINK
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
  13. rukus4ever

    rukus4ever Well-Known Member

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    Yes, the officials were atrocious.

    As for me, I'm not disturbed (season in, and season out) by the calls that are made. The rules are the rules. My issue is with the inconsistent application of those rules as reflected in the disparity in when, where, why and for whom the flags are thrown. They made inconsistent calls that affected the Bengals, too. However, I don't believe they were called as much against the Bengals.

    The refs are making pro football hard to watch.
     
  14. Clive From PIT

    Clive From PIT I'm starting to drink the Koolaid! Site Admin

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    After watching that play a few times in slow-motion, I have to admit it does meet the literal terms of the rule. AB was lined up as the wide-out, was moving back toward the point of the snap, and cut-blocked Touissant at mid-thigh 4.5 yards forward of the line of scrimmage. Should've stood him up, I guess.
     
  15. Lizard72

    Lizard72

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    The reality is that , yes they did, but definition correctly call that a penalty. The point being is that it was called on the field. I don't think that was malicious, but he was penalized and fined for his actions.

    All we want is consistency. You have to be able to step back an take the homer glasses off and say that the blatant naked eye stuff needs to be called. We can go back and pull hundreds of grainy images out of stuff in a pile after the play or blocks downfield that are technically penalties for probably every team out there.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  16. Steelcop

    Steelcop Well-Known Member

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    The Cincinnati game was called horribly but the Seachicken game was the worst called game I have ever witnessed. Our OLB's get held on almost every call and that isn't called but in the chicken game they were allowed to get away with everything they wanted and no flags. I realize I am probably biased about our team but NOTHING was being called against the chickens and that cost us the game period.
     

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