In last week’s Super Bowl showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles used a controversial quarterback sneak tactic that had players line up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts to push him across the line of scrimmage like a rugby scrum. It was so successful that apparently, Sean Payton plans to use the same tactic next season if the NFL doesn’t outlaw the practice.
Fox Sports rules analyst Dean Blandino said that he thinks the NFL will outlaw the practice ahead of next season. But if they don’t, Sean Payton told him that he plans to use it with the Denver Broncos.
“I think the league is going to look at this, and I’d be shocked if they don’t make a change,’’ Blandino said, according to The33rdTeam.com.
“I was talking to Sean Payton during Sunday’s game, and he said we’re going to do this every time next season if they don’t take it out,’’ Blandino said. “It amounts to a rugby scrum. The NFL wants to showcase the athleticism and skill of our athletes. This is just not a skillful play. This is just a tactic that is not an aesthetically pleasing play, and I think the Competition Committee is going to take a look at it.’’
We’ll have to see if the league makes any changes. If they don’t, it’s pretty clear that we’ll see plenty more teams utilizing this strategy next year.
