Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New media comments
New resources
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
Members
Current visitors
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Bart Starr Passes Away....
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="HardRightEdge" data-source="post: 834849"><p>That's the least of it. The most consequential rule changes in how the game is played came in 1977 - 1978:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Prior to 1978, an O-Lineman could not extend his arms and block with open hands. Blocking was done with the forearms close to the chest with closed fists. To do otherwise was an illegal use of hands penalty. At the same time, several of the cut and chop blocking techniques used in the run game that have since become illegal were still in play. Somewhere along the line since 1978 it also became "legal" to grab the defender's jersey inside the pads so long as control of the defender is maintained. It seems now the jersey grab only gets called when it inhibits the defender's sudden change of direction which has given rise to defenders flopping when out of the play to draw a holding call.</li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The 5 yard "chuck rule" was introduced in 1978. Prior to that season, a defender could press or shove a receiver all over the field up to the point where the ball was thrown in that receiver's direction. While defensive holding applied prior to this rule change, the defender could knock a receiver off his route disrupting timing. This rule change brought about the popularization of the short timing routes as run substitutions characteristic of the Walsh version of the West Coast offense.</li> </ul> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Prior to 1976, a pass rusher could wail away on the pass blocker's helmet, the "head slap", not invented by but brought to high art by Deacon Jones. In 1976, the double-slap was banned, whomping the blocker's head one way and then the other whereby, as Jones put it, the blocker would be looking out his ear hole. In 1977 the single head slap was banned.</li> </ul><p>It is easy to see the near immediate impact of these changes in the passing stats.</p><p></p><p>Here's the 1977 stats: <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1977/passing.htm" target="_blank">https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1977/passing.htm</a></p><p></p><p>The median (15th. ranked) in various passing categories for qualifying QBs were as follows:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Attempts: 258, Tarkenton</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Yards: 1,823, Livingston</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">QB Rating: 62.3, Pastorini</li> </ul><p>By 1980 [<a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1980/passing.htm" target="_blank">https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1980/passing.htm</a>], in the 3rd. year of adaptation of scheme and personnel to the new rules, the median stats were:</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Attempts: Danny White: 436</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Yards: Ferragamo, 3,199</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">QB Rating: Ferguson, 74.5</li> </ul><p>Further, in comparying eras, race is an underappreciated factor in the rise of the passing game.</p><p></p><p>In the 1960's, the game was still in the early stages of racial integration. With the exception of running back, the best black athletes were put on the defensive side of the ball. While it is obvious that a black QB would have been unthinkable until Marlin Brisco in 1968, it was also the consensus that black athletes were not smart enough to play O-Line or WR.</p><p></p><p>Prior to the mid-60's, with Hayes and Warfield, you have took pretty hard to find a star black player at the WR position. You'll find Lenny Moore and Bobby Mitchell, but both were Pro Bowl running backs having played that position for several years before converting to WR. Charlie Taylor entered the AFL in 1964, however he too started out as RB.</p><p></p><p>The first snaps taken by a black WR drafted as such currently in the HOF were taken by Paul Warfield and Bob Hayes in 1964. Warfield was a college halfback. Hayes was a 7th. round pick, a flyer on the 100 meter world record holder coming out an all-black college. Charlie Joyner, the next black WR to make the HOF, took his first NFL snap in 1969 following a college QB career at all-black Grambling. College ball trailed the NFL in racial liberalization at the WR position leaving a small pool for the NFL to draw from even when so inclined until we get into the 70's.</p><p></p><p>Lombardi was probably the most racially progressive coach of his era. But when you look at the Packer HOFers of that era, and the racial composition of those players on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, you get the picture.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="HardRightEdge, post: 834849"] That's the least of it. The most consequential rule changes in how the game is played came in 1977 - 1978: [LIST] [*]Prior to 1978, an O-Lineman could not extend his arms and block with open hands. Blocking was done with the forearms close to the chest with closed fists. To do otherwise was an illegal use of hands penalty. At the same time, several of the cut and chop blocking techniques used in the run game that have since become illegal were still in play. Somewhere along the line since 1978 it also became "legal" to grab the defender's jersey inside the pads so long as control of the defender is maintained. It seems now the jersey grab only gets called when it inhibits the defender's sudden change of direction which has given rise to defenders flopping when out of the play to draw a holding call. [/LIST] [LIST] [*]The 5 yard "chuck rule" was introduced in 1978. Prior to that season, a defender could press or shove a receiver all over the field up to the point where the ball was thrown in that receiver's direction. While defensive holding applied prior to this rule change, the defender could knock a receiver off his route disrupting timing. This rule change brought about the popularization of the short timing routes as run substitutions characteristic of the Walsh version of the West Coast offense. [/LIST] [LIST] [*]Prior to 1976, a pass rusher could wail away on the pass blocker's helmet, the "head slap", not invented by but brought to high art by Deacon Jones. In 1976, the double-slap was banned, whomping the blocker's head one way and then the other whereby, as Jones put it, the blocker would be looking out his ear hole. In 1977 the single head slap was banned. [/LIST] It is easy to see the near immediate impact of these changes in the passing stats. Here's the 1977 stats: [URL]https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1977/passing.htm[/URL] The median (15th. ranked) in various passing categories for qualifying QBs were as follows: [LIST] [*]Attempts: 258, Tarkenton [*]Yards: 1,823, Livingston [*]QB Rating: 62.3, Pastorini [/LIST] By 1980 [[URL]https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1980/passing.htm[/URL]], in the 3rd. year of adaptation of scheme and personnel to the new rules, the median stats were: [LIST] [*]Attempts: Danny White: 436 [*]Yards: Ferragamo, 3,199 [*]QB Rating: Ferguson, 74.5 [/LIST] Further, in comparying eras, race is an underappreciated factor in the rise of the passing game. In the 1960's, the game was still in the early stages of racial integration. With the exception of running back, the best black athletes were put on the defensive side of the ball. While it is obvious that a black QB would have been unthinkable until Marlin Brisco in 1968, it was also the consensus that black athletes were not smart enough to play O-Line or WR. Prior to the mid-60's, with Hayes and Warfield, you have took pretty hard to find a star black player at the WR position. You'll find Lenny Moore and Bobby Mitchell, but both were Pro Bowl running backs having played that position for several years before converting to WR. Charlie Taylor entered the AFL in 1964, however he too started out as RB. The first snaps taken by a black WR drafted as such currently in the HOF were taken by Paul Warfield and Bob Hayes in 1964. Warfield was a college halfback. Hayes was a 7th. round pick, a flyer on the 100 meter world record holder coming out an all-black college. Charlie Joyner, the next black WR to make the HOF, took his first NFL snap in 1969 following a college QB career at all-black Grambling. College ball trailed the NFL in racial liberalization at the WR position leaving a small pool for the NFL to draw from even when so inclined until we get into the 70's. Lombardi was probably the most racially progressive coach of his era. But when you look at the Packer HOFers of that era, and the racial composition of those players on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, you get the picture. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Members online
No members online now.
Latest posts
2025 NFL Schedule Release
Latest: OldSchool101
30 minutes ago
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Mike McCarthy Gone
Latest: lambeaulambo
54 minutes ago
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
First Round Prospect Discussions Specifically
Latest: tynimiller
Today at 9:40 PM
Draft Talk
Pick 87 Savion Williams WR TCU
Latest: AmishMafia
Today at 8:47 PM
Draft Talk
Pick 124 Barryn Sorrell Edge Texas
Latest: OldSchool101
Today at 7:39 PM
Draft Talk
Forums
Open Football Discussion
Green Bay Packers Fan Forum
Bart Starr Passes Away....
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…
Top
