NFL memo warns teams on faking injuries

[stillers4me]

The NFL sent a memo Wednesday to all 32 teams warning of fines, suspensions and loss of draft picks if the league determines players faked injuries during a game.

Yet several players admit its an accepted practice, and some coaches hinted they are not above condoning phony injuries if it provides a competitive edge.

“I’ve been places where it has been (taught),” said Browns linebackerScott Fujita(notes), a member of the players’ union executive committee. “They have a name for it and I’ve been places where it’s been pre-called. I’ve been places where it’s one player who has been designated. Maybe I’m getting everyone in trouble, but I’m just being honest.”................

Read more @ http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...fakinginjuries

[Count Steeler]

That was very poor acting on the Giants part Monday night. At least teach the players how to fall like the soccer players do. Now they have it down to an art.

[ALLD]

I would like to see the kicker do a "Fred G. Sanford" on the 50-yd. line. "Lizabeth, I'm comin' to join ya honey!"

[Butch]

What a load of HORSE CRAP!!! All teams do it and now because once again the media is all over something that slows down an offense it needs to be looked at more closely. Threatning outragous fines from "Go To Hell" Godell and the league offices. How much more STUPID is this freakin' league going to get?!?!?!

Can't wait to see the 1st punter to get fined for acting like he gets hit when nobody even touches him. Oh I'm sure if it's not a Steeler the league will have a double standard for them.

[stillers4me]

Goodell seems to love to make up rules and then treat people like children by threatening to make them sit in the corner when they disobey him. I'm getting tired of it.

[GBMelBlount]

Fake Injured Player: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Ref: Son, what is your pain on a scale from 1 to 10.

Faked Injured player: 2 sir.

Ref: So you are actually faking this injury son?

Fake Injured Player: What is the minimum pain threshold for a legitimate injury?

Ref: 8.

Fake injured Player: Oooops, my mistake, it IS actually an 8. Ummmm, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Ref: You are very fortunate this is a severe injury otherwise you would be in deep shit.

[The Patriot]

Fake Injured Player: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Ref: Son, what is your pain on a scale from 1 to 10.

Faked Injured player: 2 sir.

Ref: So you are actually faking this injury son?

Fake Injured Player: What is the minimum pain threshold for a legitimate injury?

Ref: 8.

Fake injured Player: Oooops, my mistake, it IS actually an 8. Ummmm, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Ref: You are very fortunate this is a severe injury otherwise you would be in deep shit.

Exactly.

I will admit though, I'm not a fan of players sitting down on the field and grabbing their foot and forcing a game break only to come back two plays later. That's one of the reasons I hate watching soccer.

[43Hitman]

I think its going to be very tough to strike an even balance with the guy that is faking and the guy that only has a minor injury, like a cramp or a turned ankle. I can see why teams do it, but in my opinion, if you're having that much trouble stopping the offense and getting in the right substitutions, then maybe they should consider using a timeout.

[BlacknGoldBabe]

What a cheap ass way to avoid using a time out. Were the Giants so unprepared? Makes you wonder if these players are auditioning for their careers after NFL retirement!

"And the Emmy for Best Fake Injury When at a Loss to Stop a Play goes to....."

[Butch]

What a cheap ass way to avoid using a time out. Were the Giants so unprepared? Makes you wonder if these players are auditioning for their careers after NFL retirement!

"And the Emmy for Best Fake Injury When at a Loss to Stop a Play goes to....."

If you ask me it's just as cheap for an offense to use the no huddle to try and force it's will on the defense. Why should the offense get to dictate the pace of the game? It's not like you have a bunch of time outs that you can throw around all willie nillie. I can only speak for myself in saying I'm tired of all the rule changes that favor the offense. Defense is a part of the game too but the way the media and their puppet are trying to regulate it the defense will become a thing of the past.

[Count Steeler]

Offense snaps the ball, they dictate the pace.

[Butch]

Offense snaps the ball, they dictate the pace.

Defense fakes an injury slows the pace!!! I got no problem with that.

Still tired of seeing the NFL lean so much to making the game more offensive...it's offensive to me. LOL

[smokin3000gt]

If you ask me it's just as cheap for an offense to use the no huddle to try and force it's will on the defense. Why should the offense get to dictate the pace of the game? It's not like you have a bunch of time outs that you can throw around all willie nillie. I can only speak for myself in saying I'm tired of all the rule changes that favor the offense. Defense is a part of the game too but the way the media and their puppet are trying to regulate it the defense will become a thing of the past.

Is it also cheap for an offense to lean heavily on a passing game against a team with a weak secondary? Should the defense be able to sneak an extra man on the field to compensate and make it 'fair'?

[Vis]

If you ask me it's just as cheap for an offense to use the no huddle to try and force it's will on the defense. Why should the offense get to dictate the pace of the game? It's not like you have a bunch of time outs that you can throw around all willie nillie. I can only speak for myself in saying I'm tired of all the rule changes that favor the offense. Defense is a part of the game too but the way the media and their puppet are trying to regulate it the defense will become a thing of the past.

The defense can make a play. Nothing stops the hurry up offense like a sack.

[BlacknGoldBabe]

It's supposed to be a game of well-placed moves. Kind of like chess...you're anticipating your opponent's next move and you have to make your move based on what you think your opponent won't be able to counter. Every team out there uses a "hurry up" offense at times. Faking injuries doesn't fall under the good move category in my book. Neither does sneaking the extra guy on the field.

Kind of makes me long for the old days.

[Vis]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I think they should try to win within the rules and stop the offense legally. But part of me thinks it's like an intentional foul in basketball. A unsportsmanlike penalty on the field is probably better than a fine if it's obvious.

[The Patriot]

Two guys going down at the same time, only for one to stand back up, is probably a dead give away.

[Nadroj 20]

First of all, it is going to be extremely hard to prove whether or not the injury is fake or not. Now the Giants player was one of the extremes since it was pretty obvious, especially since two players went down at the same time. But it is possible to get the wind knocked out of you or for an injury to intially seem worse then it really is and be back in a few plays later. So it will be hard to prove it.

The thing that gets me is there is no governing body that says this is "illegal". There are no rules against it, it is just frowned upon. They strongly suggest to avoid doing it. Now Goodell wants to all of a sudden start throwing out fines? On something that will always be somewhat debatable depending on the situation?

Listen Roger, first step is make it actually illegal to do this in the rule book. Then of you want to start fining players at least it makes a little more sense (even though it will still be hard to judge fairly).

I personally think it is pointless to run up the score on a team when you are already up 7 TD's. Is it illegal to do so? Nope. But a lot of people don't think highly of doing it. So my point is this is something that many teams do as a strategy and until they make it against the rules...good luck trying to enforce it.

[Nadroj 20]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I think they should try to win within the rules and stop the offense legally. But part of me thinks it's like an intentional foul in basketball. A unsportsmanlike penalty on the field is probably better than a fine if it's obvious.

Very good point Vis. A lot of people do not realize this, but when players are fouling at the end of the game to stop the clock, TECHNICALLY that is 100% AGAINST the rules. That is why you are told to "go after the ball". It is still an intential foul and everyone in the gym knows what they are doing, but since it is in a particular situation and since you are "going after the ball" it is allowed and has been accepted as fine to do in the basketball world.

[Craic]

First of all, it is going to be extremely hard to prove whether or not the injury is fake or not. Now the Giants player was one of the extremes since it was pretty obvious, especially since two players went down at the same time. But it is possible to get the wind knocked out of you or for an injury to intially seem worse then it really is and be back in a few plays later. So it will be hard to prove it.

The thing that gets me is there is no governing body that says this is "illegal". There are no rules against it, it is just frowned upon. They strongly suggest to avoid doing it. Now Goodell wants to all of a sudden start throwing out fines? On something that will always be somewhat debatable depending on the situation?

Listen Roger, first step is make it actually illegal to do this in the rule book. Then of you want to start fining players at least it makes a little more sense (even though it will still be hard to judge fairly).

I personally think it is pointless to run up the score on a team when you are already up 7 TD's. Is it illegal to do so? Nope. But a lot of people don't think highly of doing it. So my point is this is something that many teams do as a strategy and until they make it against the rules...good luck trying to enforce it.

I wondering, I think there may be something in the rule book about it. I remember in the 80's when the Bengals used the no-huddle in the playoffs and Joe Nash of the Seahawks would fake an injury on second down, effectively ending the no-huddle offense. He and another player did it a total of 6 times in that game. I thought something got put in the rules for the following season--on second thought, I think it was the removal of a player for one play.

[Butch]

Is it also cheap for an offense to lean heavily on a passing game against a team with a weak secondary? Should the defense be able to sneak an extra man on the field to compensate and make it 'fair'?

WTF is your problem??? This is the type of insulting post that keeps others from posting their thoughts on a topic. I am stating that I have no problem with faking injuries to slow the no huddle don't know how in the Hell you got anything about sneaking an extra player onto the field. You don't like what I say fine but don't try insulting me for speaking my opinion!!!

The no huddle is just as much about slowing down an aggressive defense as it is anything else, not just about a passing game or a running game. The faking of an injury is a good way to combat that and the fact that it has gone on for years but as soon as "Go To Hell" Godell hears bad reports from the press there is an instant rule change. Oh and because Tom terrific stands over a player who fakes an injury probably didn't hurt the cause.

My opinion may not be popular but I will stand by it.

[Nadroj 20]

I wondering, I think there may be something in the rule book about it. I remember in the 80's when the Bengals used the no-huddle in the playoffs and Joe Nash of the Seahawks would fake an injury on second down, effectively ending the no-huddle offense. He and another player did it a total of 6 times in that game. I thought something got put in the rules for the following season--on second thought, I think it was the removal of a player for one play.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ut-nfl-is-not/

This article suggests the refs have no legit power because it is almost impossible to tell whether or not they are faking or not. Sadly all you can take is their word and since nobody is going to openly say "im only laying here to stop the clock" it is pretty hard to enforce.

I'm pretty sure the rule book just says they strongly urge coaches to not promote that type of behavior, not that its is actually against the rules, since it is too hard to enforce.

So actually when I said Goodell should make it against the rules, I think I'm going to change my mind on that because it's pretty hard to determine. Would I do something like that as a player or coach? I would like to think no...but in the heat of the moment...i don't know what I would do. I sure do foul at the end of basketball games to stop the clock

[Butch]

A lot of people do not realize this, but when players are fouling at the end of the game to stop the clock, TECHNICALLY that is 100% AGAINST the rules. That is why you are told to "go after the ball". It is still an intential foul and everyone in the gym knows what they are doing, but since it is in a particular situation and since you are "going after the ball" it is allowed and has been accepted as fine to do in the basketball world.

Great post!!!

The press went and got everybody's panties in a bunch so now "Go To Hell" Godell has to react. I am tired of the press and their kung fu grip on "Go To Hell's' pebbles.

[Craic]

Great post!!!

The press went and got everybody's panties in a bunch so now "Go To Hell" Godell has to react. I am tired of the press and their kung fu grip on "Go To Hell's' pebbles.

Actually no. The last time this became an issue, the same thing happened. Matter of fact, "the owners unanimously approved harsh penalties."
Fake injuries to be penalized Series: NFL OWNERS MEETINGS NOTEBOOK

Also interesting to note, a dive at the knees is a 15 yard penalty after that owners meeting, which was in 1989.

[Butch]

Actually no. The last time this became an issue, the same thing happened. Matter of fact, "the owners unanimously approved harsh penalties."
Fake injuries to be penalized Series: NFL OWNERS MEETINGS NOTEBOOK

Also interesting to note, a dive at the knees is a 15 yard penalty after that owners meeting, which was in 1989.

It became an issue??? It may have been voted on but how often has it ever been enforced? Obviously not enough that it has been strictly enforced and how many teams have employed it since then without any penalty at all??? Most if not all???

I stand by my opinion that it is because of the press and their over re-action that will cause "Go To Hell" to over re-act. Can't wait to see how it gets enforced...I'm sure it will be as selective as past rules.

[smokin3000gt]

WTF is your problem??? This is the type of insulting post that keeps others from posting their thoughts on a topic. I am stating that I have no problem with faking injuries to slow the no huddle don't know how in the Hell you got anything about sneaking an extra player onto the field. You don't like what I say fine but don't try insulting me for speaking my opinion!!!

The no huddle is just as much about slowing down an aggressive defense as it is anything else, not just about a passing game or a running game. The faking of an injury is a good way to combat that and the fact that it has gone on for years but as soon as "Go To Hell" Godell hears bad reports from the press there is an instant rule change. Oh and because Tom terrific stands over a player who fakes an injury probably didn't hurt the cause.

My opinion may not be popular but I will stand by it.

Seriously? That is how you react two my two sentence disagreement with you being OK with cheating/faking injuries? Which was the insulting part? Was it the part where I disagreed with you or the extra insulting part where I compared one way of cheating with another? I also doubt very much that my reply to your post will keep anyone from posting their thoughts on anything around here. Yours on the other hand seems way more out of line and angry.

The extra guy on the field is a good way to slow down an aggressive offense or defense as well. Does that make it OK? In my opinion, no. My point is/was that "no huddle" is part of the game and not against the rules, milking fake injuries and time outs is. As much as it is to have an extra guy on the field.

Sorry you didn't care for my comparison and I am glad that you stand by your opinion but I suggest you take a deep breath and relax before standing next to any more. I am just going to assume you're having one of those [bad] days and/or took my post out of context. No hard feelings.

[st33lersguy]

Anything to help the Cheatriots and their QB Goodell will do

[Count Steeler]

Should there be a minimum time allowance of 10 seconds between plays? Of course not, we can not penalize the offense if it is trying to score points.

Hey Goodell, why don't you take on soccer? Now there's a game that can use some scoring.

[BnG_Hevn]

This is a direct result of Tom Brady. He made a comment on how the thinks players are faking injuries to stop their no-huddle offense. The announcer in their game this past week commented on it.

[BnG_Hevn]

Isn't there a rule that if you have an injured player in the last two minutes of half / the game that X seconds get ran off the clock if you don't have a timeout left to use?