National Flag League

[The Q]

Our man Brett (Seahawks beat writer is angry angry angry mad folks!

Now it feels like the National Flag League. If you look at a quarterback sideways you get flagged, if tackle a ball carrier without cushioning his fall you get a flag.

Personally I am getting fed up with it.

What are your thoughts on the state of NFL officiating?

You can read more of his NFL rant here.

[Brandon]

I agree. Last week, Kam Chancellor had a chance to BLAST a guy and stop him dead in his tracks, but visibly held up and waited for him to catch the ball and land before he pulled him to the ground. He could have prevented the first down, but he would've been flagged and fined for it.

I agree with trying to keep the players safe, but there is a line to be crossed and the NFL has done just that. Football is a violent sport...deal with it. Stop babying the friggin players, they know what they're getting themselves into. That's why they're paid millions to PLAY A GAME 16 times a year

[rileyt]

I have to say I disagree with the rant and the above comment. I agree that the league needs to be MUCH clearer about what constitutes as a penalty and what will generate a fine, but football has changed since the days of Ronnie Lott. Thanks to modern advantages in nutrition and conditioning, players are bigger and faster than ever before. The same rules and principles that applied twenty or thirty years ago aren't true anymore. The game has changed, and the rules need to change as well.

[The Q]

I'm old school on this one. Let them play. Watch a rugby game, now thats some crazy right there

[nwsportsfn]

Players are bigger, stronger, and faster these days, however, the conditioning and preparedness for games also has increased 100 fold since the days of Ronnie Lot. Let them play!

[richardhodges]

honestly, my opinion on this changes day to day. I'm really concerned about the long-term health implications, but as Brandon says that's why they get paid millions. It's a risk inherent issue and we haven't banned smoking or driving yet.