Inside Slant: Offensive holding? Depends on the referee - NFL Nation Blog - ESPN
Here is an interesting couple of quotes that I found relevant to this weekend's Saints game:
Hopefully this translates into plenty more rushing attempts off tackle and out on the perimeter, which should really test the San Francisco linebackers' ability to play sideline to sideline and stop the run.
Here is an interesting couple of quotes that I found relevant to this weekend's Saints game:
If you're assigned the crew of referee Jerome Boger (35 offensive penalties), Carl Cheffers (34) or Brad Allen (33), you're likely to see offensive holding called more tightly than if you get Walt Coleman (nine) or Bill Vinovich (nine).
Four teams are at the bottom: the Cincinnati Bengals (before Thursday night's game in Cleveland), the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and New Orleans Saints. The Bengals, Chiefs and Raiders have all been called for holding nine times; the Saints have six. The remaining 24 teams fall in a range between 10 and 16.
Vinovich will be the referee for the Saints' game Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. When you combine his crew's history with the Saints' performance thus far, you wouldn't expect offensive holding to be a major factor in the game. Offensive lineman should feel more comfortable with aggressive blocks.
Hopefully this translates into plenty more rushing attempts off tackle and out on the perimeter, which should really test the San Francisco linebackers' ability to play sideline to sideline and stop the run.