one thing this could lead to is more pass interference penalties as DBs try to force guys out but dont have the timing and they end up hitting the WR before the ball gets there.
i do think teams will simply adjust and run more patters down the middle, more slant routes, more screens.....higher % passes equaling more completions
but it will be tough for teams in the 2 minute drill to get the pass to the sideline and get OOB.
again, this is a terrible rule change.
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i think this is a great rule as it makes the calls less subjective.
the old rule left too many opinion calls to the officials. games should be won/lost by the players, and this is one (although small), way to keep it that way.
i do not see any o cordinators adjusting there offense to this rule. out patterns are usually timing plays and put the ball maybe one/two yards from the sideline if the team is on the far hash. with a well thrown ball, the wr shouldnt have to leave his feet. now, this clearly isnt always the case as plays arnt always executed to perfection. but i dont see teams completely adjusting their playcalling for happenstance. wr always tried to get their feet in and they still will.
the high school and college game use this rule and there doesnt seem to be a significant difference in passes to the sidelines.
and as for pass interference calls, i dont see the db's changing their techniques to try and force people out. for the most part i still see db's trying to make plays on the ball first. clearly, if there is a ball on the sideline and the oppurtunity is there to knock the wr out of bounds, the db will try to make the play. but i dont think professional db's are all of the sudden gonna start commiting more pass interfernece penalties just because the force out rule is changed.
just my opinion.
but as for it affecting totals. i think you have to consider it. dont have any stats, but just say 3 td's per week are turned into fg b/c guys are now forced out of the endzone, plus a few drives a week are halted the same way. on average, it may affect the total a point or so? this is just speculation. interesting to see where the lines are set the first few weeks as compared to last year.
