Post by Banana Cat on Mar 25, 2011 6:06:32 GMT -5
Seems like someone forgot to tell the Columbus Lions and the officials calling the game that the SIFL is playing under arena rules this year. Columbus was at the league meetings, so one has to wonder if this was deliberate, especially with the officials doing the same thing. That's a lot of mis-communication there...lol.
www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/03/post_200.html
www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/03/post_200.html
Alabama Hammers operate under different rules in opener
March 24, 2011
Bill Bryant / The Huntsville Times
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - After further review, it seems as though the Alabama Hammers were playing against a stacked deck at times last Saturday in their opening Southern Indoor Football League game against Columbus.
The Hammers were dealt a 67-20 loss by the Lions, who forced five sacks and eight turnovers. But the game film showed Columbus getting some of each by playing by last year's SIFL rules instead of this year's arena football rules.
The Lions' defensive linemen stunted and twisted at times, which is not within the framework of the arena rules, and both the Mack and Jack linebackers blitzed at different intervals, something that is also not allowed. The Jack linebacker not only cannot line up over the tight end, he has to stay in a five-yard box and can't rush the passer until the quarterback gets outside of the tackles.
The officials called the game by the former rules.
"That didn't cause the game to be exactly the way it was -- we did that to ourselves," Hammers coach Marty Hammond said. "But there were some situations where the rules were not enforced according to what the rules have been in the arena league and what we're supposed to be doing in this league."
Hammond spoke to SIFL commissioner Gary Tufford, Alabama team president Joe Stroud said, and the organization received an apology. Any confusion about the rules is expected to be cleared up this week.
"When you you're calling plays you're looking downfield at coverage and you really don't see what's happening up front," Hammond said. "And then you go back and look at film and you understand why certain things are happening.
"We talked to the league and they're going to try and clear that up, but that's no excuse for the fumbled snaps (we had) and things like that. We've got to clean those things up."
March 24, 2011
Bill Bryant / The Huntsville Times
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - After further review, it seems as though the Alabama Hammers were playing against a stacked deck at times last Saturday in their opening Southern Indoor Football League game against Columbus.
The Hammers were dealt a 67-20 loss by the Lions, who forced five sacks and eight turnovers. But the game film showed Columbus getting some of each by playing by last year's SIFL rules instead of this year's arena football rules.
The Lions' defensive linemen stunted and twisted at times, which is not within the framework of the arena rules, and both the Mack and Jack linebackers blitzed at different intervals, something that is also not allowed. The Jack linebacker not only cannot line up over the tight end, he has to stay in a five-yard box and can't rush the passer until the quarterback gets outside of the tackles.
The officials called the game by the former rules.
"That didn't cause the game to be exactly the way it was -- we did that to ourselves," Hammers coach Marty Hammond said. "But there were some situations where the rules were not enforced according to what the rules have been in the arena league and what we're supposed to be doing in this league."
Hammond spoke to SIFL commissioner Gary Tufford, Alabama team president Joe Stroud said, and the organization received an apology. Any confusion about the rules is expected to be cleared up this week.
"When you you're calling plays you're looking downfield at coverage and you really don't see what's happening up front," Hammond said. "And then you go back and look at film and you understand why certain things are happening.
"We talked to the league and they're going to try and clear that up, but that's no excuse for the fumbled snaps (we had) and things like that. We've got to clean those things up."