By Don Westphal
IN
a league that seems to be more pass-oriented every season, one defensive penalty seems to be scrutinized on an increasing percentage by fans—pass interference. What do the fans think? We checked, they answered.
Fan Forum Question:
“Do officials call defensive pass interference too much?” “That’s a tough question. Of course, when they call it against our defensive backs I think they’re being too strict. But I love it when we’re on offense. I think overall the refs do such a good job and I don’t know how they do it. You watch and you see the player’s reaction and I don’t know who is grabbing who. I’ve never felt one way or the other, but I know I do like to see offensive football and the rules that favor the offense.” – Derek Jensen, Bloomington, Minn. “My thinking is it’s a tough area to call. It’s one of those grey areas. The refs do the best they possibly can each and every game. I’ll leave it up to the professionals to do their job.” – Sam Hendricks, Council Bluffs, Iowa
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“I think they call it a little bit too much. It’s a passheavy league and if they’d call pass interference a little bit more that would shut down a team’s passing game and then things would switch a little bit more to the run, making things more balanced. As a fan, I’d find that a little more fun to watch.” – Sam Olson, Minneapolis, Minn. “Yes. It’s supposedly a physical sport, but you have rules on hand checking and playing for position. If both players have the right to go for the ball, it just seems to me that the defensive backs seem to be handcuffed by the rules.” – Lance Falls, Cedar Rapids, Iowa “I’m OK with how it’s being called right now. If the refs didn’t get on how much the defensive players hold, clutch and grab away from the line of scrimmage, you wouldn’t see much beyond 5- or 7-yard routes by the receivers.” – Jen Woodrum, Albert Lea, Minn. “Sometimes I don’t think they call it enough. It’s amazing when you’re home watching the games on TV and you see how much the guys in the defensive secondary are always pulling on the receivers down the field and when the ball is in the air. That said, watching at home gives us the benefit of replays and for the officials to have to make those calls during
live action is nearly impossible. However, I’m not calling for more replays. The games are long enough the way it is and I think the refs do a pretty awesome job given everything they have to watch for.” – Robert Hager, Eagan, Minn. “I think the balance of how pass interference is called right now is pretty good. You have to let the guys get out there and play. There is going to be contact here and there and the last thing I want is to have a whistle being blown on every other passing play. It’s almost like that in some games right now.” – Robby Lloyd, Bemidji, Minn. “To me, it’s right about where it needs to be. Maybe they could call it a little less and let them play. It still seems at times it gets a little ticky-tacky.” – Rick Elkington, Maple Grove, Minn. “I don’t think they call it enough, but I’d have to admit it kind of depends on what team the Vikings are playing to tell you the truth.” – Gary Etter, Eden Prairie, Minn. “I think pass interference gets called too much. I understand the intent of the push-off rule but they need to let the players bump a little bit and fight for the ball. It’s football after all.” – Bryan Schaffler, North Mankato, Minn.