Watching the Packers-Lions game. On one play Slay had both hands under a Packer receiver's arm pits for several strides down the field as the ball was arriving. No penalty. Two plays later Slay had ahold of a Packer receiver on both shoulders simultaneously. Again, no call. These are just two examples. It seems every game that I watch these days -- college or pro -- defensive players (and sometimes receivers) get away with all sorts of shoving and pushing that affects the catch attempt, and some stupid announcer says "Good no-call." However, a few minutes later some incidental contact is called a penalty. It's gotten so ridiculous and inconsistent that I don't think I have any idea what pass interference is today. IMHO, this aspect of the game needs to be cleaned up with some rule changes. Anyone else agree with this assessment?

This is a great topic, OCF. In my opinion, officials are allowing more contact by receivers and defensive backs which I think has to do with the way quarterbacks are now protected.

The advanced passing game and spread formations, coupled with protections given QBs in terms of roughing the passer penalties, have given offenses a distinct advantage. I think the response has been to allow additional contact without penalty for both offense and defense. I have seen defensive holding called when a defender impedes the route from being run as schemed and have seen pass interference called when the contact doesn't give the receiver a fair chance to make the catch. But a lot contact is now allowed.

In addition, more teams are coaching defenders to not turn/look for the ball until the receiver makes a move to catch it. This decreases the chance of separation and helps guard against the little shove receivers give when the defender turns his head. But, many fans call contact under this scenario as pass interference, but it isn't always called.

During our game with M%^&i, I noticed that receivers/DBs were allowed pretty significant contact without penalty. I also thought James Gardner was given plenty of room to give a hard shove to his man defender on route breaks when the ball was in the air on a timing route. Easy catches unless the underneath linebacker forces the ball high by being in the area.

In addition, he gave a big shove to Bradd Ellis on a deep sideline route as the ball arrived. Ellis was knocked off balance and despite superior position he wasn't able to make the interception. Looked to be obvious OPI to me, but Lamont Simpson (the side judge) didn't pull out the flag -- maybe because Ellis still had a chance to secure the catch. It will be interesting to see if he allows that kind of shove by offensive players when he officiates MAC basketball games.

After watching another season of high school ball, I'm wondering if the refs just make up the rules as they go along. We had one game where we were penalized five yards AND loss of down for an ineligible man downfield. Next game, same infraction was just five yards. In one game, the opponents' QB was in the pocket, under duress, and threw the ball where there wasn't anybody within 20 yds. No penalty. Later, our QB was outside the pocket, being chased, and threw it about ten yds past an eligible receiver. He gets flagged for grounding.

Pass interference has really become a judgment call on all levels. I've seen it called for little bumps and not called when the DB has a handful of jersey. Go figure.

Related to this, has anyone ever taken a step back and considered how ridiculous this game is sometimes? The number of rules and nuances that one has to understand to watch a game are insane, at least as compared to most other sports.

What is your definition of "holding", willing to bet it's not the same as college, HS or Professional footballs definition.

Did anyone else see the Miami receiver last night get tackled by the Akron defender before the ball arruved right in front of the ref with no flag? The announcers briefly questioned the call and then went back to talking about the other Miami. Was this guy on the ref team that called the 4-yard-line safety? Just awful!

If the offense substitutes the defense is given an opportunity to match. And never in football has the offense had to wait on the defense to snap the ball once the ball has been declared ready. I️ swear I’m not sure some of you ever really understand the game.