AFC East: Tuck Rule
To no surprise, the NFL overwhelmingly voted to eliminate the tuck rule on Wednesday. It was a bad rule that prevented quarterback fumbles if a player has any kind of forward movement with his throwing arm, which included pump fakes.
NFL owners reportedly voted 29-1 to get rid of the tuck rule. But the New England Patriots, who took advantage of the rule in the 2001-02 playoffs to jumpstart their Super Bowl dynasty, were one of two teams to abstain from voting. New England owner Robert Kraft hinted as much earlier this week and decided to follow through.
Luckily for New England, eliminating the tuck rule is not retroactive. Who knows how the course of NFL history would have changed if New England, coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady did not win their first of three Super Bowls together.
Patriots' history with rules preceded them
January, 14, 2012
1/14/12
1:30
PM ET
By
James Walker | ESPN.com
For the record, the New England Patriots did not break any rules by hiring assistant coach Josh McDaniels this week.
The move was announced shortly after McDaniels' former team -- the Denver Broncos -- advanced to face New England in the divisional round. That gave the impression the Patriots were trying to get the upper hand on an upcoming opponent.
That has forced the NFL to look into the matter. ESPN is reporting the Patriots may prompt a rule change for hiring coaches in the postseason.
This is simply a case where the Patriots' not-so-great reputation with rules -- "Spygate," anyone? -- preceded them. (It's also the 10th anniversary of the "Tuck Rule" game, where the rule worked to New England's advantage.) Would it be a big to-do for the NFL if McDaniels were hired this week by the Houston Texans or New Orleans Saints?
The truth is the Patriots were going to hire McDaniels whether they faced the Broncos, Texans or Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. New England brought in McDaniels to replace current offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, who is leaving for Penn State after the playoffs. Everyone quickly lost sight of that when Denver and quarterback Tim Tebow -- a McDaniels protégé -- became the opponent.
So, once again, it's all about Tim Tebow. (just kidding)
The move was announced shortly after McDaniels' former team -- the Denver Broncos -- advanced to face New England in the divisional round. That gave the impression the Patriots were trying to get the upper hand on an upcoming opponent.
That has forced the NFL to look into the matter. ESPN is reporting the Patriots may prompt a rule change for hiring coaches in the postseason.
This is simply a case where the Patriots' not-so-great reputation with rules -- "Spygate," anyone? -- preceded them. (It's also the 10th anniversary of the "Tuck Rule" game, where the rule worked to New England's advantage.) Would it be a big to-do for the NFL if McDaniels were hired this week by the Houston Texans or New Orleans Saints?
The truth is the Patriots were going to hire McDaniels whether they faced the Broncos, Texans or Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. New England brought in McDaniels to replace current offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien, who is leaving for Penn State after the playoffs. Everyone quickly lost sight of that when Denver and quarterback Tim Tebow -- a McDaniels protégé -- became the opponent.
So, once again, it's all about Tim Tebow. (just kidding)
BACK TO TOP
Page: 1
AFC EAST SCOREBOARD
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
