Touching the Passer

The Cincinnati Bengals were defeated Sunday by the lowly Tampa Bay Buccanears, now bringing their record to 3-2. The Bengals struggled on both sides of the ball, with the offense putting up a meager 13 points. Up 13-7 late in the fourth quarter, the Bengals sacked the quarterback and recovered the fumble, what could have very well been the nail in the coffin. To their dismay, a yellow flag flew through the air and landed on the turf. It was a little known new rule initiated by the NFL just this year. Yes, the Bengals were flagged for touching the passer. What the Bengals thought was a brilliant tackle was indeed a huge penalty. Beginning this year, defenses can no longer touch the QB. Defenders must jump up and down waving their arms in a monkey in the middle type fashion. If the QB takes off with the ball, the D must attempt to coax him out of bounds (with whatever means available, such as beer, poontang, etc.) or disturb the ground in front of him in hopes that he trips and downs himself. In certain circumstances a pinky finger can be used to down a fallen QB. The Bengals learned a big lesson Sunday, one they will not soon forget. Maybe next time they will read the rule book in the offseason instead of committing crimes.