Why Bruce Arians Thinks the NFL Shouldn’t Allow Players to Leap to Block Field Goals
“I think it’s a dangerous play as it is and should be taken out of the game,” the coach said on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians understandably isn’t happy that NFL rules allow a player to leap over the line to block a field-goal attempt.
That’s because Seattle’s Bobby Wagner used the tactic to block a 39-yard Cardinals field-goal try in Sunday night’s 6-6 tie. Wagner’s foot made contact with the long-snapper, but he was not given a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty because he did not land on the player.
Still, as Arians explained to Bill Polian and Tom Pelissero on the SiriusXM NFL Radio “Late Hits” show, he thinks leaping should be banned because it isn’t safe and is “bad for football.”
“The Competition Committee went through that play, and officials wanted it taken out,” Arians said. “The committee left it in, but it cannot be officiated. Whether he touches, whether it was leverage, was his foot within the framework of the defensive lineman’s feet before he jumped, all those things that go into that call, I think it’s bad for football. Because what you’re going to have to do now is start having centers raise their face up and get kicked in the face and things that are just dangerous to the players. I think it’s a dangerous play as it is and should be taken out of the game.”
