NFL Report

POINT-COUNTERPOINT

Each Friday, columnist Dan Daly and Redskins beat writer Ryan O’Halloran debate an NFL issue. This week: In Monday’s Baltimore-Green Bay game, there were eight defensive pass interference penalties, and a few were iffy. Should the league reassess how it calls the penalty?

Dan Daly: Watching that game was like watching one of those basketball games where the officials call everything and the whole game is just one long parade to the foul line. Absolutely brutal. That said, I don’t think the refs had that bad of a night. Heck, one time they let an interference go. The thing I kept thinking was: It’s bad enough half these defensive players have forgotten how to tackle. Now they can’t even cover anybody without surreptitiously hooking his arm so he can’t make the catch. Seriously, what are they teaching these guys in all these minicamps and OTAs and voluntary workouts and whatnot? It’s embarrassing, but it’s easier to rip the officials than to rip the secondaries for lousy pass coverage.

Ryan O’Halloran: In the wake of the interference calls, I really expected somebody to report — heck, even ESPN during the broadcast since it has the resources — that this particular officiating crew had called more interference penalties than anybody else. I didn’t see it mentioned. Dan and I have had tons of conversations about how the tackling in pro football is putrid (see No. 30 on the Redskins). My thing is, the league doesn’t need to change the rules as much as offenses need to take advantage of flag-happy back judges and just start lofting passes downfield to create contact.

DD: I’ve gotta hand it to these teams. Usually when there are that many yards in penalties - 310 in all - it’s because there was a brawl and a bunch of players got thrown out or something. But in this case, it was just sheer ineptitude on the part of both clubs. Truly a low point for the NFL, if you ask me. I know there are some crews that are more hanky-happy than others, but the Ravens and Packers seemed to take the approach of: “These refs can’t keep calling ‘em like this all night. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing, and eventually they’ll stop.” And they never did! Besides, if you’re going to holler about too many interference calls, then you’re going to have to explain to me why receivers running picks for one another - which is illegal - is as tolerated as it is. There’s interfering, in other words, being done by the offense and the defense. Just shut up and play is my attitude.

RO: Some say the rule should change to make it a 15-yard penalty instead of a spot foul that results in gains of 30, 40 or 50 yards. I doubt that will happen unless a Super Bowl or playoff game is decided by a questionable 62-yard pass interference call that puts the trailing team in field goal position to win it.

WEEKEND PICKS

REDSKINS THIS WEEK

REDSKINS (3-9) at RAIDERS (4-8)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

TV: Ch. 5

Line: Redskins by 1

Outlook: Sure, Oakland had a big fourth quarter to beat Pittsburgh on Sunday, and Bruce Gradkowski threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns. But this is the rare week when the Redskins have the stronger offense. The Raiders rank 31st in points and yards and aren’t much better defensively. If Jason Campbell stays upright, the Redskins fly home with their fourth win.

The pick: Redskins 27-19

GAME OF THE WEEK

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