Anybody worried about the new umpire positions???

[SorthNarolina]

Seems like there are a lot of holding calls this pre-season. Should help the DE's but hurt the O-line. Pass blocking wasn't exactly their strong point. They were good but run blocking was their forte.

[Jackofalltrades]

There will definately be an adjustment period, figures they do this after Pep leaves.

[SorthNarolina]

There will definately be an adjustment period, figures they do this after Pep leaves.

seriously! We all finally get our wish of the refs seeing Pep getting mugged. Except he's on the wrong team. What the bump.

[Chaos]

I find it odd that a league that wants to do nothing but protect the QB (see the Tom Brady rule from a few seasons ago), would place this new emphasis on the O-line and make QB's more susceptible to hits from pass-rushers who get around O-linemen doing their best NOT to hold.

[smash_n_dash]

The position of the umps doesn't change the fact that Olinemen hold alot

also, i'm more worried about the lost helmet = dead play rule.

[Chaos]

The position of the umps doesn't change the fact that Olinemen hold alot

also, i'm more worried about the lost helmet = dead play rule.

You don't think that when the penalties skyrocket that it won't get in the heads of the linemen to do their best to not hold? Time will tell, but like all rule changes, the players have to adapt, and it could lead to more hits on QB's. It will be interesting to see how the holding calls increase from last season to this season.

[rayzor]

it's a shame that the panthers are going to be the only ones effected by it.

[smash_n_dash]

If this rule honestly leads to more QB injuries, they will revert back to previous ump lineups. I mean honestly, how often are umps getting injured out there in the secondary?

On unrelated news, local durham 11:00 news just talked about the Panthers for about a minute and didn't mention Clausen

[Dpantherman]

all the o-lines in the league are worried. it actually pisses me off a bit. too much laundry as it is on the field. now its going double (it seems...)

[mmmbeans]

i think it's great, a tiny little advantage given to the defense in a sea of offense based rule changes.

[Doyle]

i think it's great, a tiny little advantage given to the defense in a sea of offense based rule changes.

Excellent point.

[jarhead]

I bet Jordon Gross is worried.

[panthers55]

I figure it just means the offensive players will have to get better at disguising their holds. The rule was changed to help the stripes with safety. There already was a guy back there, now there are 2. Shouldn't change the game that much. I wonder how it will impact the secondary with a guy less. Might help the defense as well with less defensive holding and interference calls over the middle.

[KatsAzz]

The offensive linemens job just got harder,especially the left tackle that usually has to hold off the speed rusher on the quarterbacks blindside.