Tush Push - still legal, Philly fans begin to heal after rough year (1 Viewer)

[styleride85]

Everybody has their opinion and this thread will go 500 pages because some people think it's a smart, wonderful play, and others find it bush league and distasteful.

I can't help the way I feel.

For you pro-tush push fellas, did you applaud Alex Rodriguez yelling "I got it" on the way to third base causing the third baseman to back off and let the ball fall to the ground?

It worked right? Did you think that was brilliant and awesome?

The anti-tush push folks view this the same way

lol your user name shows that you seem to be a Dallas fan, so there's clearly some bias here.

And what in the WORLD are you talking about comparing a football play that has been legal and been used for decades at various parts of the field, to a guy yelling something in baseball to another player?!?!?! lol

Man, the anti-tush-push people are getting so desperate at this point, it's hilarious.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I wasn't aware of whatever you're referring to. What did the refs do, or refuse to do as the case may be? Sorry for straying off topic, just curious about this.

In 2019, the NFL instituted replay for obvious DPI calls. They had a replay system whereby officials could look at the play in retrospect and throw a flag. But the refs refused to call defensive pass interference on anybody the whole time the rule was in order. Even on flagranatly obvious plays, they refused to overturn themselves to the point the broadcasters were commenting really heavily about it. Not one. The whole year.

That's a fact.

My opinion (that I and many hold) is not that It went down as a "failure" in "implementation," but everybody knew it was a result of something to the effect of a sit-down strike by the officials. It was obvious to anybody with two eyes and an inkling for statistical likelihood. Since the NFL was coming off an unsuccessful labor dispute only a year or so eariler, the refs challenged the NFL and the NFL backed down, revoking the rule in 2020.

And there, eighsse2, is the history lesson.

The rule was universally hated. It was a constant source of controversy. 95% of fans (made-up number) wanted it removed and everyone was relieved when it was gone.

I have no idea about the conspiracy theories, but everyone thought it was dumb, not just the refs. It was an unmitigated disaster. You couldn't read through a game thread on this forum without half the thread being taken up by people complaining about how dumb the rule was every time it came up.

 

[eighsse2]

Everybody has their opinion and this thread will go 500 pages because some people think it's a smart, wonderful play, and others find it bush league and distasteful.

I can't help the way I feel.

For you pro-tush push fellas, did you applaud Alex Rodriguez yelling "I got it" on the way to third base causing the third baseman to back off and let the ball fall to the ground?

It worked right? Did you think that was brilliant and awesome?

The anti-tush push folks view this the same way

lol your user name shows that you seem to be a Dallas fan, so there's clearly some bias here.

And what in the WORLD are you talking about comparing a football play that has been legal and been used for decades at various parts of the field, to a guy yelling something in baseball to another player?!?!?! lol

Man, the anti-tush-push people are getting so desperate at this point, it's hilarious.

He had a vision when he joined in 2007 that someday the Cowboys would have a RB named Pollard?

 

[styleride85]

Everybody has their opinion and this thread will go 500 pages because some people think it's a smart, wonderful play, and others find it bush league and distasteful.

I can't help the way I feel.

For you pro-tush push fellas, did you applaud Alex Rodriguez yelling "I got it" on the way to third base causing the third baseman to back off and let the ball fall to the ground?

It worked right? Did you think that was brilliant and awesome?

The anti-tush push folks view this the same way

lol your user name shows that you seem to be a Dallas fan, so there's clearly some bias here.

And what in the WORLD are you talking about comparing a football play that has been legal and been used for decades at various parts of the field, to a guy yelling something in baseball to another player?!?!?! lol

Man, the anti-tush-push people are getting so desperate at this point, it's hilarious.

He had a vision when he joined in 2007 that someday the Cowboys would have a RB named Pollard?

Not sure, maybe he changed it. He literally commented how he already hated the Eagles before they started running this play.

 

[rockaction]

The rule was universally hated. It was a constant source of controversy. 95% of fans (made-up number) wanted it removed and everyone was relieved when it was gone.

No. That's inaccurate. There was a hue and cry for the rule. The fans hated how it was being applied, which was only to call offensive PI and pick plays. It was a travesty. There was no conspiracy theory; it was a sit-down on the job.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

lol your user name shows that you seem to be a Dallas fan, so there's clearly some bias here.

Oh dear

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I believe in karma. If Jalen held a press-conference denouncing the tush-push forever, the Eagles would win 6 straight Super Bowls.

So now it’s bad karma?

lmao I can’t with y’all.

Everybody has their opinion and this thread will go 500 pages because some people think it's a smart, wonderful play, and others find it bush league and distasteful.

I can't help the way I feel.

For you pro-tush push fellas, did you applaud Alex Rodriguez yelling "I got it" on the way to third base causing the third baseman to back off and let the ball fall to the ground?

It worked right? Did you think that was brilliant and awesome?

The anti-tush push folks view this the same way

I am not an Eagles fan and came into this thread with a pretty open mind. Upon all the research and looking at the larger picture, I've come to the conclusion that while anyone is perfectly within their right to not like the play from a style standpoint, the idea that it's unfair or cheap seems completely unfounded.

When I first came into this thread I posed the question as to whether the Eagles success with the play is more because of the play, or more because of the Eagles. After looking into it more, it seems EXTREMELY obvious that the answer to that question is the Eagles, not the play.

Did you know that Miles Sanders was 8 for 8 on converting 3rd/4th and 1 rushing plays last year?

And while FBGs data dominator is somewhat unreliable on goaline runs, it says they were 5 for 6 on RB rushes there. Which means 13 out of 14 on the same type of plays they run push the pile on, which is actually a HIGHER conversion percentage than they had using push the pile.

Other things to note.

- The Eagles short yardage conversion percentage last year was within the normal standard deviation of what the league leader in short yardage conversion puts up in a typical year. There was nothing historically outlandish about it.

- The Eagles short yardage conversion on NON push the pile play was even higher, and actually brought their overall conversion percentage up.

- If there is a cheap play that can be exploited for easy first downs, every team in the league will copy it. Yet no one has successfully copied push the pile. The teams that have tried have failed. If it's such a cheap, easy play and not just a great short yardage team, why can't other teams do it?

- There is plenty of historical precedent for one team being particularly good at one particular thing that other people haven't been able to copy. Tom Brady converted 91.1% of his QB sneaks over his career (a higher percentage than Hurts) because he and the Patriots were good at the rush to the line and QB sneak play. Other teams were never able to replicate it, but the play was never banned.


Every piece of data points to one very obvious answer. The Eagles are just a good short yardage team.

The people saying that the play is cheap or unfair just don't seem to have any leg to stand on. Every piece of data I've come across points to the opposite. It's the Eagles, not the play.

 

[styleride85]

I believe in karma. If Jalen held a press-conference denouncing the tush-push forever, the Eagles would win 6 straight Super Bowls.

So now it’s bad karma?

lmao I can’t with y’all.

Everybody has their opinion and this thread will go 500 pages because some people think it's a smart, wonderful play, and others find it bush league and distasteful.

I can't help the way I feel.

For you pro-tush push fellas, did you applaud Alex Rodriguez yelling "I got it" on the way to third base causing the third baseman to back off and let the ball fall to the ground?

It worked right? Did you think that was brilliant and awesome?

The anti-tush push folks view this the same way

I am not an Eagles fan and came into this thread with a pretty open mind. Upon all the research and looking at the larger picture, I've come to the conclusion that while anyone is perfectly within their write to not like the play from a style standpoint, the idea that it's unfair or cheap is completely unfounded.

When I first came into this thread I posed the question as to whether the Eagles success with the play is more because of the play, or more because of the Eagles. After looking into it more, it seems EXTREMELY obvious that the answer to that question is the Eagles, not the play.

Did you know that Eagles' RBs last year were 8 for 8 on converting 3rd/4th and 1 rushing plays last year?

And while FBGs data dominator is somewhat unreliable on goaline runs, it says they were 5 for 6 on RB rushes there. Which means 13 out of 14 on the same type of plays they run push the pile on, which is actually a HIGHER conversion percentage than they had using push the pile.

Other things to note.

- The Eagles short yardage conversion percentage last year was within the normal standard deviation of what the league leader in short yardage conversion puts up in a typical year. There was nothing historically outlandish about it.

- The Eagles short yardage conversion on NON push the pile play was even higher, and actually brought their overall conversion percentage up.

- If there is a cheap play that can be exploited for easy first downs, every team in the league will copy it. Yet no one has successfully copied push the pile. The teams that have tried have failed. If it's such a cheap, easy play and not just a great short yardage team, why can't other teams do it?

- There is plenty of historical precedent for one team being particularly good at one particular thing that other people haven't been able to copy. Tom Brady converted 91.1% of his QB sneaks over his career (a higher percentage than Hurts) because he and the Patriots were good at the rush to the line and QB sneak play. Other teams were never able to replicate it, but the play was never banned.


Every piece of data points to one very obvious answer. The Eagles are just a good short yardage team.

The people saying that the play is cheap or unfair just don't seem to have any leg to stand on. Every piece of data I've come across points to the opposite. It's the Eagles, not the play.

Fantastic info and analysis here. I'm sure it will be met with lots of "BuT rUgBy!!!!!" posts.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

The rule was universally hated. It was a constant source of controversy. 95% of fans (made-up number) wanted it removed and everyone was relieved when it was gone.

No. That's inaccurate. There was a hue and cry for the rule. The fans hated how it was being applied, which was only to call offensive PI and pick plays. It was a travesty. There was no conspiracy theory; it was a sit-down on the job.

We are apparently from two different universes. It was absolutely not only used to call pick plays. The challenge flag was thrown on practically every deep ball whether PI was called or not, and then everyone spent the next 5 minutes arguing whether technically that was PI or whether it was clear and obvious enough or whether it was egregious enough because in reality there's contact on every pass play. It was a complete disaster. One of the worst rules instituted in NFL history because it brought a bunch of instances of huge controversy every week. Every prime time game thread that year had pages upon pages of people arguing about how it could/should be implemented in certain cases. Almost everyone was thankful when it was gone.

 

[Amused to Death]

It's the Eagles, not the play.

Other teams can copy it when they have the best O-line coach (Soutland), the best center (Kelce), and the strongest QB (Hurts).

But since they don't have any of those, they want to stop the Eagles from running it.

 

[rockaction]

We are apparently from two different universes

Yes, we are. I remember kind of what you describe, though I don't think you were paying enough attention. The calls were reviewed and never, ever reversed. Ever. Not one.

 

[eighsse2]

Everybody has their opinion and this thread will go 500 pages because some people think it's a smart, wonderful play, and others find it bush league and distasteful.

I can't help the way I feel.

For you pro-tush push fellas, did you applaud Alex Rodriguez yelling "I got it" on the way to third base causing the third baseman to back off and let the ball fall to the ground?

It worked right? Did you think that was brilliant and awesome?

The anti-tush push folks view this the same way

lol your user name shows that you seem to be a Dallas fan, so there's clearly some bias here.

And what in the WORLD are you talking about comparing a football play that has been legal and been used for decades at various parts of the field, to a guy yelling something in baseball to another player?!?!?! lol

Man, the anti-tush-push people are getting so desperate at this point, it's hilarious.

He had a vision when he joined in 2007 that someday the Cowboys would have a RB named Pollard?

Not sure, maybe he changed it. He literally commented how he already hated the Eagles before they started running this play.

Oh okay, if that's possible then yeah you're probably right. I was thinking they couldn't be changed but I actually don't know.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

Every piece of data points to one very obvious answer. The Eagles are just a good short yardage team.

This.

 

[styleride85]

Here we go... Patriots just did it. Everyone equally pissed off about that one?

 

[Chaka]

Some NFL rules are crazy. You can’t “pull” a runner forward but it’s OK to “push” him forward.

It’s aiding the runner either way, so what difference does it make?

Pushing can be inadvertent. You want them to start throwing flags every time a ball carrier gets pushed by a lineman or WR trying to block for them?

 

[efactor]

Some NFL rules are crazy. You can’t “pull” a runner forward but it’s OK to “push” him forward.

It’s aiding the runner either way, so what difference does it make?

Pushing can be inadvertent. You want them to start throwing flags every time a ball carrier gets pushed by a lineman or WR trying to block for them?

Oh please. The officials can differentiate between it being inadvertent and a blatant push. Again, if you allow aiding the runner, it shouldn't matter

 

[Statorama]

Whether you like the play or not, get ready for every team in the league to start running it 7 or so times a game, especially as they get better doing it. In the 5 games I watched I saw every team do it at least once. Will we get to the point where a team starts using a 265 pound battering ram back at QB?

 

[FreeBaGeL]

In the 5 games I watched I saw every team do it at least once.

I'm calling you out on this. That's 10 teams in 5 games. Name them.

 

[Chaka]

Some NFL rules are crazy. You can’t “pull” a runner forward but it’s OK to “push” him forward.

It’s aiding the runner either way, so what difference does it make?

Pushing can be inadvertent. You want them to start throwing flags every time a ball carrier gets pushed by a lineman or WR trying to block for them?

Oh please. The officials can differentiate between it being inadvertent and a blatant push. Again, if you allow aiding the runner, it shouldn't matter

Take a moment. Read what you wrote.

Is that a hill you'd be willing to fight for?

 

[efactor]

Some NFL rules are crazy. You can’t “pull” a runner forward but it’s OK to “push” him forward.

It’s aiding the runner either way, so what difference does it make?

Pushing can be inadvertent. You want them to start throwing flags every time a ball carrier gets pushed by a lineman or WR trying to block for them?

Oh please. The officials can differentiate between it being inadvertent and a blatant push. Again, if you allow aiding the runner, it shouldn't matter

Take a moment. Read what you wrote.

Is that a hill you'd be willing to fight for?

Simple solution is don't allow any aiding of the runner. It used to be that way and not sure why they thought it was a good idea to implement it.

But yes, if you trust the officials to make the decisions you currently allow them to make, then this shouldn't be beyond their capabilities

 

[Statorama]

In the 5 games I watched I saw every team do it at least once.

I'm calling you out on this. That's 10 teams in 5 games. Name them.

My favorite was Green Bay, Love ran it before the ball was snapped. You're right, poorly stated, in the five games I watched I saw a team do it once.

It's just a QB sneak with a push from behind. Not that complicated.

To me it's like when the first guy dunked in basketball. It was unique to certain teams... Until it wasn't.

 

[-OZ-]

Will we get to the point where a team starts using a 265 pound battering ram back at QB?

Like a direct snap to a RB?
Or try to find a heavier Newton or Richardson?
Either way, that’s completely fine.

 

[Terpman22]

LOL did anyone see Bryce Young getting pulled out on a short yardage play to be substituted by short yardage master.....Andy Dalton?

 

[Snotbubbles]

In the 5 games I watched I saw every team do it at least once.

I'm calling you out on this. That's 10 teams in 5 games. Name them.

My favorite was Green Bay, Love ran it before the ball was snapped. You're right, poorly stated, in the five games I watched I saw a team do it once.

It's just a QB sneak with a push from behind. Not that complicated.

To me it's like when the first guy dunked in basketball. It was unique to certain teams... Until it wasn't.

As I said above, the Colts tried it with Anthony Richardson and got stopped. It takes more than just a big QB and someone to push him. If you watch Hurts execute it, he doesn't just bull rush ahead, he delays and allows his OLine to push the pile, then he finds the space. I don't believe Jalen Hurts really needs people to push for him to convert these, but if you can, why not? The Eagles tried it with Minshew and got stopped. Teams won't be able to run it with the same efficiency as the Eagles do.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

In the 5 games I watched I saw every team do it at least once.

I'm calling you out on this. That's 10 teams in 5 games. Name them.

My favorite was Green Bay, Love ran it before the ball was snapped. You're right, poorly stated, in the five games I watched I saw a team do it once.

It's just a QB sneak with a push from behind. Not that complicated.

To me it's like when the first guy dunked in basketball. It was unique to certain teams... Until it wasn't.

As I said above, the Colts tried it with Anthony Richardson and got stopped. It takes more than just a big QB and someone to push him. If you watch Hurts execute it, he doesn't just bull rush ahead, he delays and allows his OLine to push the pile, then he finds the space. I don't believe Jalen Hurts really needs people to push for him to convert these, but if you can, why not? The Eagles tried it with Minshew and got stopped. Teams won't be able to run it with the same efficiency as the Eagles do.

I’m with you on that — Hurts is special at this, most QBs simply cannot replicate what he does.

 

[Da Guru]

Whether you like the play or not, get ready for every team in the league to start running it 7 or so times a game, especially as they get better doing it. In the 5 games I watched I saw every team do it at least once. Will we get to the point where a team starts using a 265 pound battering ram back at QB?

On 4th and a yard or less I would have the biggest RB take the snap with 2 OL men lined up right behind him.

 

[Amused to Death]

As I posted earlier in this thread, take away the QB play and watch the Eagles line up 380 lb, 6'-8", former rugby player, Jordan Mialata in the backfield and have him crash into the line. Stop that.

 

[ChicoCat]

Is the disdain over the "tush" push that the Eagles can't seem to be stopped when they use it or that it's a play where every team in the league can't be stopped when they use it? How many other teams are using the "tush" push?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

In the 5 games I watched I saw every team do it at least once.

I'm calling you out on this. That's 10 teams in 5 games. Name them.

My favorite was Green Bay, Love ran it before the ball was snapped. You're right, poorly stated, in the five games I watched I saw a team do it once.

It's just a QB sneak with a push from behind. Not that complicated.

To me it's like when the first guy dunked in basketball. It was unique to certain teams... Until it wasn't.

lol c'mon man, that was not a push the pile play - just a normal QB sneak where Love crossed wires with the center and lost his balance. It was a comical play, but there's no one there pushing his tush. If that play is your "once" I would say you didn't see any.

https://x.com/DraftDiamonds/status/1703553941688967626?s=20

 

[Terpman22]

Is the disdain over the "tush" push that the Eagles can't seem to be stopped when they use it or that it's a play where every team in the league can't be stopped when they use it? How many other teams are using the "tush" push?

No one is admitting this to be their actual problem. They are arguing politically about it under the guise of player safety, the play is boring, "ITS RUGBY!" etc.

Us Eagles fans have brought many examples etc about how its basically our team being the only one that truly uses it.

But seems this will go on and on and on....

 

[Gally]

Is the disdain over the "tush" push that the Eagles can't seem to be stopped when they use it or that it's a play where every team in the league can't be stopped when they use it? How many other teams are using the "tush" push?

No one is admitting this to be their actual problem. They are arguing politically about it under the guise of player safety, the play is boring, "ITS RUGBY!" etc.

Us Eagles fans have brought many examples etc about how its basically our team being the only one that truly uses it.

But seems this will go on and on and on....

This is my exact argument against it. Copycat league and I believe teams will study and figure out how to run it well. If that happens and every team is doing this with high success it will take away from the excitement of the league (to me). If I am wrong and it's just the Eagles superior line play and QB then by all means keep doing it. I would have no issue with it remaining legal. If every team learns to master the technique and it becomes common place then I hope they outlaw it because it is boring.

Personally, I think it gives a huge advantage to the offense because they know the snap count and get to delivery the initial blow to move the line of scrimmage to their favor. Again, I could be wrong and it's just the Eagles superior personnel. If that is the case keep doing it. More power to you.

 

[Amused to Death]

Personally, I think it gives a huge advantage to the offense because they know the snap count and get to delivery the initial blow to move the line of scrimmage to their favor.

And how is that any different from every short yardage running play? How is this particular play any different from any other QB sneak? Was the QB sneak boring when Tom Brady ran it with tremendous success at a higher conversion rate than the Eagles run it?

 

[Amused to Death]

Fifteen more weeks of this, people.

 

[JohnnyU]

Personally, I think it gives a huge advantage to the offense because they know the snap count and get to delivery the initial blow to move the line of scrimmage to their favor.

And how is that any different from every short yardage running play? How is this particular play any different from any other QB sneak? Was the QB sneak boring when Tom Brady ran it with tremendous success at a higher conversion rate than the Eagles run it?

I’m fine with as long as OL or any player can’t push a player from behind

 

[Amused to Death]

Personally, I think it gives a huge advantage to the offense because they know the snap count and get to delivery the initial blow to move the line of scrimmage to their favor.

And how is that any different from every short yardage running play? How is this particular play any different from any other QB sneak? Was the QB sneak boring when Tom Brady ran it with tremendous success at a higher conversion rate than the Eagles run it?

I’m fine with as long as OL or any player can’t push a player from behind

Right, and if you look at the first time the Eagles ran this play against the Vikings, he isn't even pushed from behind. Yet Al Michaels opined how ugly the play was and hoped the NFL would ban it. It was nothing more than a QB sneak, but somehow that play was so ugly, the NFL needs to ban it. Gimme a break.

 

[Gally]

Personally, I think it gives a huge advantage to the offense because they know the snap count and get to delivery the initial blow to move the line of scrimmage to their favor.

And how is that any different from every short yardage running play? How is this particular play any different from any other QB sneak? Was the QB sneak boring when Tom Brady ran it with tremendous success at a higher conversion rate than the Eagles run it?

The difference is more girth in the trenches at the point of attack with the push in the back. My opinion is that the advantage of the offense being able to deliver the initial blow because they know the snapcount with the increased mass behind it can blow the D-line off the ball for a minimum of a yard every time if the offense can perfect the techniques. Like I said, I could be wrong. Maybe it's a Philly thing.....then congrats...Great job of creating an advantage. Keep doing it. But If I am right I could see a team that really perfects it to the tune of getting 2-3 yds per play (or more) just doing that the entire drive. It's not the type of game I want to watch. That's a drastic outcome that is unlikely but not impossible.

 

[Rubi]

I saw the college version this past weekend,the more aptly named "Push The Tush" play. I saw it run eight times in different games. I saw it not work twice.
What I didn't see or hear was an announcer or color commentator saying it should be banned. Refreshing. I long for the days when I could mute NFL games(except when Madden and Summerall were calling them) turn on the radio and listen to Jack Buck and Hank Stram call a game. The first time a forward pass was thrown in a game there was an outcry to ban it. Stop crying,you're missing some good football games through your tears.

 

[JohnnyU]

I saw the college version this past weekend,the more aptly named "Push The Tush" play. I saw it run eight times in different games. I saw it not work twice.
What I didn't see or hear was an announcer or color commentator saying it should be banned. Refreshing. I long for the days when I could mute NFL games(except when Madden and Summerall were calling them) turn on the radio and listen to Jack Buck and Hank Stram call a game. The first time a forward pass was thrown in a game there was an outcry to ban it. Stop crying,you're missing some good football games good rugby games through your tears.

Fixed

 

[Terpman22]

Fifteen more weeks of this, people.

I'm sure it was the purist spirit that had this thread started on the day the NFC title game happened. Had all year (and 17 years before this day) to start a thread, complain, put forth your argument. I just think its funny/ironic/not coincidental that this thread was started on the very day of the title games.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Is the disdain over the "tush" push that the Eagles can't seem to be stopped when they use it or that it's a play where every team in the league can't be stopped when they use it? How many other teams are using the "tush" push?

No one is admitting this to be their actual problem. They are arguing politically about it under the guise of player safety, the play is boring, "ITS RUGBY!" etc.

Us Eagles fans have brought many examples etc about how its basically our team being the only one that truly uses it.

But seems this will go on and on and on....

This is my exact argument against it. Copycat league and I believe teams will study and figure out how to run it well. If that happens and every team is doing this with high success it will take away from the excitement of the league (to me). If I am wrong and it's just the Eagles superior line play and QB then by all means keep doing it. I would have no issue with it remaining legal. If every team learns to master the technique and it becomes common place then I hope they outlaw it because it is boring.

Personally, I think it gives a huge advantage to the offense because they know the snap count and get to delivery the initial blow to move the line of scrimmage to their favor. Again, I could be wrong and it's just the Eagles superior personnel. If that is the case keep doing it. More power to you.

If it gets to that point then sure, I could see making changes. But it seems premature to do it now when we don't know if it's the play or the team, and all the data we have points to it being the team.

But I guess my main question in that hypothetical would be, if everyone is going to figure it out and start abusing it, why haven't they already? It's a very simple play, and teams have copied more complicated plays much more quickly.

It wasn't but a week or two after the Dolphins abused the wildcat against New England that half the league was rolling out wildcat formations. And while not super complicated, that play is more complicated than the tush push. When Vince Young finally brought the read option to the NFL, it was less than a year before it became a base running play in the NFL, and that play is WAY more complicated than the tush push.

This play seems like it would be one practice session to get everyone on the same page. So why months and months later, amongst a bunch of teams that commonly implement complex scheme changes within one practice week, are teams still only not running it regularly because they're still "figuring it out"?

 

[Gally]

But I guess my main question in that hypothetical would be, if everyone is going to figure it out and start abusing it, why haven't they already? It's a very simple play, and teams have copied more complicated plays much more quickly.

I guess I am not so sure it is a simple play to master. The concept is simple but I am guessing there is a lot more to master it to maximum efficiency. Leverage points,, keeping it moving, etc. Obviously it hasn't gotten more traction yet so it is leaning towards the "Eagles are just better than everyone else" as the likely reason.

 

[Grahamburn]

I think Vita Vea can stop it.

 

[Chaka]

I think Vita Vea can stop it.

That's the can-do attitude we need in here.

 

[Terpman22]

I think Vita Vea can stop it.

I think he "can" as well.

Will he? I guess we will see.

You would think this was the Eagles entire offense the way the play is talked about but last year it was used 43x in 19 games, so that math on this tells me slightly more than 2x per game.

 

[need2know]

BEST PLAY I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE

 

[Rubi]

I saw the college version this past weekend,the more aptly named "Push The Tush" play. I saw it run eight times in different games. I saw it not work twice.
What I didn't see or hear was an announcer or color commentator saying it should be banned. Refreshing. I long for the days when I could mute NFL games(except when Madden and Summerall were calling them) turn on the radio and listen to Jack Buck and Hank Stram call a game. The first time a forward pass was thrown in a game there was an outcry to ban it. Stop crying,you're missing some good football games good rugby games through your tears.

Fixed

You ever been to a live rugby match? Don't knock it 'till you try it.

 

[JohnnyU]

I saw the college version this past weekend,the more aptly named "Push The Tush" play. I saw it run eight times in different games. I saw it not work twice.
What I didn't see or hear was an announcer or color commentator saying it should be banned. Refreshing. I long for the days when I could mute NFL games(except when Madden and Summerall were calling them) turn on the radio and listen to Jack Buck and Hank Stram call a game. The first time a forward pass was thrown in a game there was an outcry to ban it. Stop crying,you're missing some good football games good rugby games through your tears.

Fixed

You ever been to a live rugby match? Don't knock it 'till you try it.

Played it as a kid. Loved it when it was raining and muddy.

 

[JohnnyU]

BEST PLAY I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE

You need to watch more football then.

 

[trader jake]

Personally, I think it gives a huge advantage to the offense because they know the snap count and get to delivery the initial blow to move the line of scrimmage to their favor.

And how is that any different from every short yardage running play? How is this particular play any different from any other QB sneak? Was the QB sneak boring when Tom Brady ran it with tremendous success at a higher conversion rate than the Eagles run it?

I’m fine with as long as OL or any player can’t push a player from behind

Exactly.

If a team's offensive line and QB squat stats are the entirety of the difference in these plays, why is the ball carrier also being pushed from behind?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Giants just did the play now. Had 3 fat guys in the backfield pushing D Jones on the sneak. Zero chance he would have had a first without the push — and he barely had it then. It was dumb to watch.