NFL Getting Sloppy?

One of the basic rules of football, going back to the earliest days of organized football, is the rule that seven players must be on the line of scrimmage. It then follows that four are off of the line. In other words, in the backfield. In many of the offenses of today, there are five receivers spread out across the length of the line of scrimmage. It often looks like the quarterback is the only player in the backfield. On closer inspection, only two of those five receivers can be on that line. Three must be at least a step or two off of that line. At least they are supposed to be. It's one of the most basic of football rules. It seems that the NFL is getting a little sloppy in the enforcement of that rule.

On the Chicago Bears game-winning play against the Minnesota Vikings this past Sunday, eight players were obviously on the line of scrimmage. It was an illegal formation. There should have been a flag. That game-winning touchdown pass should not have counted. The NFL has responded and, of course, they have affirmed the official's call on the field. They said that the formation passes scrutiny because the covered receiver was a slot receiver and not a tight end. I have no idea why the title of the player's position determines his eligibility as a receiver. It's supposed to be where he lines up that determines that eligibility. I have no idea why the player's distance from the linemen makes a difference. The legality of a formation is supposed to be depend upon how many players are on the line of scrimmage. It's illegal if any more than seven players are on that line. It always has been. It always should be. The NFL is just getting sloppy in enforcing the most basic of football rules. Pretty soon, they'll look away when a team decides to attempt two forward passes on a single play. Sad, but possibly true.