Will the “Peyton Manning Rule” haunt Peyton Manning?
During the off-season the NFL competition committee put a special “point of emphasis” on enforcing rules which limit the ability of quarterbacks to simulate the snap of the ball. Those QB’s who’s motions pre-snap are deceptive – or appear to be made in an attempt to pull the defense offsides – will be flagged for a false start.
It’s called the Peyton Manning rule.
Other QB’s around the NFL are known for such trickery, as well. Notably, Matt Ryan (who the Broncos will face tonight) and Drew Brees, have been fingered along with Manning as guys who will gesture in ways that violate league rules. Defensive coaches want these QBs reeled in.
Rich McKay, the President of the Falcons, serves on the committee. He discussed the new enforcement with the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
“This wasn’t a rule change, this was a point of emphasis this year, Simulating a snap could include a tight end, a running back and, in this case, the point of emphasis was on quarterbacks and their use of thrusting their hands and making quick and sudden movements.
The reason was they drew some offsides penalties last year that defensive players and defensive coaches, rightly, said crossed the line. We emphasized that you are not allowed to have a sudden movement, and you are not allowed to simulate the start of a play.”
McCay defends the “silent snap count” and the rights of QBs to communicate with his offense in subtle ways that do not violate league rules.
“You can still operate; you can still do all the things you need to do; you just can’t make a sudden movement with your hands that can lead to offsides”
So, will Peyton Manning be able to make the necessary adjustments to his routine, or will he be flagged for false starts for his gestures? Only time will tell. But the rule was named after him.
