AROUND THE NFL: Oct. 26. (Please limit Bills discussion to the pertinent threads)

[Simon]

5 minutes ago, Watkins90 said:

They are definitely teaching the DBs to turn their head now. The league has said that if the DB is looking for the ball, then that isn't DPI because he is playing the ball and not the man. 

 

None of this is remotely true

[Low Positive]

Those pants the Steelers are playing in look like khaki cargo shorts. They should wear block socks to complete the “old guy cutting the grass” look.

[Simon]

Just now, Sierra Foothills said:

What I'm saying is that if a defender is looking back for the ball, he's less likely to run into the receiver.

 

A DB looking at the WR is less likely to run into him than a DB looking away from the WR, imo.

It's easier to adjust to somebody else's adjustment when you can see them.

[RiotAct]

good grief, not the Packers’ night.

 

Besides our game, the only one to break our way this week was the Jets beating the Bengals.

[Simon]

6 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

And how can you break up a pass or intercept a ball if you're not looking for it?

 

If you know where and when the ball is coming in, you can get an arm in there and either deflect it or start ripping at a guys arms while he's trying to secure it.

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, Simon said:

 

None of this is true

A defensive back has as much right to the ball as the offensive player 100% 

 

Yet you just can't be looking backwards and railroad a wide receiver off his track lol

 

Cornerback is the toughest position to play outside quarterback and the rules don't help them...  but I agree...

[zow2]

McManus will have competition at practice this week.

[Sierra Foothills]

Just now, Simon said:

A DB looking at the WR is less likely to run into him than a DB looking away from the WR, imo.

It's easier to adjust to somebody else's adjustment when you can see them.

 

I don't know what the coaching consensus is but I disagree with not looking for the ball.

 

I would argue that:

 

1) A receiver can stop abruptly when the defender is blind to the ball, thus drawing an undeserved PI... the receiver doesn't even have to make an honest attempt at a catch... he can just wait till the last second and stop.

 

2) A defender looking for the ball makes a better case that he's playing the ball than if he's blind to the ball.

 

3) A defender looking for the ball has a better chance to rake the ball out.. trying to read the receivers eyes and arms can allow him to be deceived by a receiver who isn't giving any tells.

 

We can go back and forth on this but this is as far as I'm going.

 

 

[Simon]

6 minutes ago, zow2 said:

McManus will have competition at practice this week.

 

Maybe.

But that field traditionally becomes a complete mess right around this time of year; maybe the hardest field in the entire league to kick from.

They tried to resod it "again" after the Pitt game yesterday but I don't know how things went for the crew.

[Watkins90]

8 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

None of this is remotely true

What are you talking about? I have seen instances where, because the DB was looking back for the ball, they haven't thrown a flag. 

[Buffalo Junction]

5 minutes ago, zow2 said:

McManus will have competition at practice this week.

They just brought him back from IR after Havrisik was doing well…. They might just IR him again or cut him. 

[zow2]

2 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

Maybe.

But that field traditionally becomes a complete mess right around this time of year; maybe the hardest field in the entire league to kick from.

They tried to resod it after the Pitt game yesterday but I don't know how things went for the crew.

 

That could be, but Boswell is kicking 56 and 50 yarders like chip shots. But he’s elite.

[billsfan714]

This is a Stiller game, lower scoring, will take the FGs, especially at home.   Other teams seem to struggle kicking in Pittsburgh and Im surrounded by Steeler fans living in their TV market.

[Einstein]

17 minutes ago, TFBillsfan said:

For all the hoopla about the Parsons trade, he’s a liability if a team has a strong running game. 

 

Always has been

[Simon]

Just now, Watkins90 said:

What are you talking about? I have seen instances where, because the DB was looking back for the ball, they haven't thrown a flag. 

 

Yeah, because he didn't commit interference.

If you interfere with an opportunity to make a catch, it doesn't matter what direction you're looking.

And most coaches are not coaching guys to turn their heads late in a route any more; all it does is slow you down, create separation and put you off balance.

[Sierra Foothills]

I lied. 😄

 

AI Prompt: Are defensive backs taught to look back for the ball or not?

 

Answer:

 

The decision for a defensive back (DB) to look back for the ball depends on their position relative to the receiver and the type of coverage being played. It is not a universal rule to always look back; it's a calculated risk with situational benefits and drawbacks. 

 

When to look for the ball:

 

When in "phase": If the DB is in a good position, often defined as being hip-to-hip or no more than an arm's length from the receiver, they are in a strong position to turn and make a play on the ball. Looking back in this scenario often results in an interception or pass breakup and helps avoid a pass interference penalty.

On deep balls: On deep passes where a DB is running stride-for-stride with a receiver, turning to locate the ball is necessary to make a play. Coaches conduct "blind ball drills" where a DB practices turning their head late to track the ball and intercept it.

 

When not to look for the ball:

 

When out of "phase": If the DB is not in a good position, for example, a step or two behind the receiver, turning their head could cause them to lose speed and allow the receiver to gain more separation. In this situation, the DB is often taught to "play the receiver's hands" and try to swat the ball away only once the receiver's hands go up to make the catch.

Reacting to a fake: Experienced receivers will often use head or shoulder fakes to trick DBs into turning early. If a DB turns to look for the ball before it is thrown, a receiver can use that opening to change direction and create easy separation.

To avoid penalties: Playing through the receiver's hands without looking back can be a risky technique that invites pass interference penalties, as referees often penalize contact if the defender is not "playing the ball".

 

Sierra Foothill take: Maybe these techniques are not universal across all coaching and that different teams/coaches have different philosophies?

 

[Watkins90]

1 minute ago, Simon said:

 

Yeah, because he didn't commit interference.

If you interfere with an opportunity to make a catch, it doesn't matter what direction you're looking.

And most coaches are not coaching guys to turn their heads late in a route any more; all it does is slow you down, create separation and put you off balance.

If you are looking back for the ball and make a play on it, it doesn't matter what the WR does, as you have a right to the ball just like they do. That's the point I'm trying to make. 

[Simon]

9 minutes ago, zow2 said:

 

That could be, but Boswell is kicking 56 and 50 yarders like chip shots. But he’s elite.

 

He's one of the few players in the NFL that has learned how to successfully kick there over the years; it's part of the reason the Stillers keep him around.

Justin Tucker is the only other one I can think of.

If you're interested, do a little research on that field in the fall; it's kind of interesting and has been going on for decades.

[billsfan714]

Yeah been a lot talk down here about the field and not liking Pitt playing on it also.  They re-sodded recently I think.

[Matt_In_NH]

And the Steelers are old school field goaling the packers to death.  They play the weirdest games.