Explain to me the logic behind this rule (1 Viewer)

[Harrassment Panda]

Watching the Texans-Giants game. No rooting interest but I have never understood this rule.

1st and 10 - Schaub throws a little swing pass to Vonta Leach. Leach runs for pretty good yardage, but Andre Johnson blocks the pursuing defender in the back. It's a spot foul, mark off 10 yards and the Texans have a 1st and 7 on the next play.

Am I the only one who doesn't get this rule? I mean, I get that the team loses yardage, but with the way offenses are now, that's not nearly as important as what down it is.

You're in effect rewarding the team by giving them a 1st and only 7 instead of 1st and 10. I think they should change this to a loss of down foul and give the offense the yardage up to the spot of the foul, i.e. instead of 1st and 7 the Texans would be 2nd and 7.

Opinions?

 

[mbuehner]

Because the offense didn't impact gaining the first down, it happened afterwards.

 

[Harrassment Panda]

Because the offense didn't impact gaining the first down, it happened afterwards.

I understand that, but don't you think that giving the team a 1st and 7 is kind of dumb? I mean, they call it a "penalty" but the offending team is not really being punished at all. I guess it was different back a few years ago, but offenses are so sophisticated these days that making 10 yards is a matter of routine.You could even give them the yardage but mark it 1st and 10 from the spot of the foul. I just don't understand the 1st and 7 thing, it is completely counterintuitive.