Jim Harbaugh sees problems with rules on read-option quarterbacks

[polamalubeast]

The NFL attempted to clarify its rules about how defenses can attack read-option quarterbacks by saying publicly that those quarterbacks are treated as runners unless it is clear that they are no longer in a running posture. But 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who has expressed concerns about opposing teams going after quarterback Colin Kaepernick, says he’s not sold on the NFL’s explanation of its rules.

“I know what the rules are, I know how they’ve been explained, but there’s still some gray area,” Harbaugh said. “When you start using words like ‘clearly’ — he clearly doesn’t have the ball — what does that really mean? I just handed off, I don’t have the ball, he’s got the ball, put your hands up? There’s a bit of a gray area there.”

Harbaugh said the rule would make more sense if it said that quarterbacks were protected in the pocket even if they’re in a running posture.

“To me, he’s a quarterback until he leaves the pocket as a running threat,” Harbaugh said. “I think it’s flawed, the way they’ve got it now.”

Harbaugh doesn’t like the idea that a quarterback who is running the read option can be hit even if he has handed off or pitched the ball.

“Treat him like a running back?” Harbaugh said. “You’re opening a license to hit him outside the strike zone. I’m entitled to my opinion, that’s why I answered the question. I think it’s flawed and I think it’s biased.”

Whether Harbaugh likes it or not, however, that’s the rule. And when Kaepernick is running the read option, he’s going to get hit.


http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/09/06/jim-harbaugh-sees-problems-with-rules-on-read-option-quarterbacks/

[ALLD]

If he doesn't want his running QB to get hit while running, he should play baseball.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I'm sure that the 49er players will be taking it easy on Wilson when they play the Seahawks, right Jimbo?

[polamalubeast]

I'm sure that the 49er players will be taking it easy on Wilson when they play the Seahawks, right Jimbo?




And I’m sure he’d have this same opinion if Peyton was his QB

[steelreserve]

Sorry dude, if that's the way you play QB, you're going to expose yourself to more hits. Which is the reason why I think the 49ers are going to take a nosedive midseason once Kaepernick picks up a fairly serious injury and now don't have much of a fallback. Hope it's not an ACL.

Seriously though, I'm glad we don't have a read-option QB. You think OUR whole season is a roll of the dice based on Ben's health, imagine how it is for those teams.

[Dwinsgames]

I am sorry but as much disdain I have for the Hair-ball brothers Jim is right , the rule as it is written has far to much gray area in it and leaves far to much of the rule to judgement , it also puts a handful of players at risk where their counterparts that are more traditional drop back passers are not at risk .... ( on plays that are not designed to expose the QB as a runner )

the rule should be ONCE THE QB CROSSES THE LOS ... that 5 word insert would fix the rule pretty much but it was omitted ... as it stands now Ben could be considered a running QB and exposed to those rules because he does move a ton and could be considered a threat to run and this rule is not on a play by play basis they are categorizing guys into groups and pretty much saying its legal to hit this guy this guy and this guy but not this guy over here ala Tom Brady , Peyton Manning and the like whereas if you run or have been known to run you get a giant bulls eye place on the front and back of your jersey

this is the part that bothers me ....

regardless where the running QB is on the field they can be treated by the def as a runner until it is CLEAR they are no longer going to run ...

the word clear to me may not be the same to you or the official or the defender as it is to me or someone else ....

it also leaves it up to digression of the official to determine what the defender saw when he makes a hit ....

to many what if's to suit me , to much make it up as you go along , what might be a good hit this week next week with a different crew draws a flag ....

the way the rule reads the QB can be taking hits on handoffs when he no longer has the ball and that is an unfair advantage to teams that use a traditional drop back passer vs the team using a QB that can run ...

next thing you know we are going to have rules for WRs who can jump and different rules for ones who can not jump , ones that are speedsters and for ones that are not so fleet of foot its a dangerous area to start to dabble in IMO and far to open to interpretation and left to judgement .....to err is human

[BnG_Hevn]

If QB continually does the same motion (Peyton Manning) when handing off and uses that motion for a play fake, are you not allowed to go after the QB straight up? If he "uses the pretend motion" over and over, sometimes handing off and others not, I'd hit him straight up if there was even a chance of him having it.

You want the QB to be protected by QB rules then play as a traditional QB would.