The Official Gameweek Discussion thread: 2013 Season Opener: Packers v 49ers

[VegasPackFan]

I read House and Hyde will both see time.

[MadScientist]

Music to my ears "Matthews says Packers ready to test rules on hitting option quarterbacks"
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/222386531.html

Now back up that attitude and plant that QB.

[Smidgeon]

Music to my ears "Matthews says Packers ready to test rules on hitting option quarterbacks"
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/222386531.html

Now back up that attitude and plant that QB.

Which of course has Douchebaugh concerned:

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/222403721.html

[VegasPackFan]

"Well, my opinion is when a quarterback, before he is declared being a runner, he should be afforded protection that all quarterbacks are afforded until he declares and gets out of the pocket and starts running the ball or running the option or carrying out a bootleg and attempting a run or a pass when he’s outside the pocket," Harbaugh said.

I thinks that's actually spot on. The minute it looks like he's running the option, he's fair game.

[mraynrand]

Which of course has Douchebaugh concerned:
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/222403721.html

What a tool

You’re hearing a lot of tough talk right now, intimidating type of talk, the kind of things, the same thing we were hearing a couple of years ago. It sounds like targeting a specific player. You definitely start to wonder.

Hairball is using loaded words, trying to make this look like the bounty scandal without the bounty. on his side: The NFL, who wants to keep dynamic players like Kap healthy. It's good for the bottom line. Against him: The rule book, that cannot protect a QB, like a QB once he becomes a runner or a potential runner On his side: The gray area before a QB 'declares' himself a runner, especially outside the pocket.

Bottom line is that the refs are going to protect Kap until and unless he is obviously running the ball. Ultimately, if he is in the pocket and still has the ball, he is a QB. Outside the pocket is where it gets interesting. Since he can still pitch the ball, run or throw, he has to be treated like a runner. Michael Vick always complained that he was being beaten up and didn't get the same protection as other QBs. This is why: because once you're outside the pocket, the defense has no way of knowing what you will do and must treat you as a run threat.

Will the NFL protect Kap from hard, crushing hits outside the pocket? Will the Packers actually be able to deliver such hits? Find out Sunday.

[Patler]

Jason Wilde says no Casey Heyward Sunday - OUT.

This is starting to feel like one of those injuries that is going to hang on all year, or one they will play around with for a month or two, before pulling the plug on his season.

[mraynrand]

"Well, my opinion is when a quarterback, before he is declared being a runner, he should be afforded protection that all quarterbacks are afforded until he declares and gets out of the pocket and starts running the ball or running the option or carrying out a bootleg and attempting a run or a pass when he’s outside the pocket," Harbaugh said.

I thinks that's actually spot on. The minute it looks like he's running the option, he's fair game.

I think once outside the pocket, they have to allow him to be hit like a runner, period. Anything else will be a joke. Re-read the way Hairball phrases it though - as if there is a way of being outside the pocket and not yet 'declared' as a runner.

[mraynrand]

This is starting to feel like one of those injuries that is going to hang on all year, or one they will play around with for a month or two, before pulling the plug on his season.

Return IR!

[mraynrand]

Clay seems to think the rules will allow hits on QB in the pocket, if Kap fakes the option

it looks like as long as that quarterback carries out that play fake, he loses his right as a pocket passer and the rules that govern that.

How is that fundamentally different from a play action pass?

[pbmax]

As long as they allow what the Ravens and Seahawks did, it should be fine. Just don't hit him in the head.

[VegasPackFan]

Good conversation on this topic. HOWEVER, it assumes we do something other than arm-flailing and wild over-pursuit type BS this time around. You actually have to get to him and hit him solidly for any of this to be relevant.

/sarcasm off

[MadScientist]

Clay seems to think the rules will allow hits on QB in the pocket, if Kap fakes the option



How is that fundamentally different from a play action pass?

Play-action is a fake hand off. At no time does the QB pretend to run the ball. In the read option, the QB fakes running the ball (or just actually runs the ball). When the QB is faking being a runner, he can get planted like a runner. It may not matter if he is still in the pocket. There may still be some protection if he throws a pass, in regards to being hit after the pass, but less so if he pitches the ball. With this talk, it would be great if the refs came out with the specifics.

[pbmax]

Play-action is a fake hand off. At no time does the QB pretend to run the ball. In the read option, the QB fakes running the ball (or just actually runs the ball). When the QB is faking being a runner, he can get planted like a runner. It may not matter if he is still in the pocket. There may still be some protection if he throws a pass, in regards to being hit after the pass, but less so if he pitches the ball. With this talk, it would be great if the refs came out with the specifics.

That definition works for the defense and is logical, but how is the ref supposed to know the difference.

Rodgers fakes the same mesh handoff and throws a stick route. Is he not a passer?

[Bossman641]

This is starting to feel like one of those injuries that is going to hang on all year, or one they will play around with for a month or two, before pulling the plug on his season.

I certainly hope not. With an early season bye, you wonder if they will just hold Hayward out through week 4 and then bring him back.

[mraynrand]

That definition works for the defense and is logical, but how is the ref supposed to know the difference.

Rodgers fakes the same mesh handoff and throws a stick route. Is he not a passer?

Exactly. you don't know until after the QB 'declares' himself a runner or passer - that is, after the fact. Kinda like Bugs Bunny figuring out if a bomb is a dud by hitting it with a hammer.