Andre's Rule (the Box for passing) - Part 3

[Ned Flanders]

Post #3 regarding Andre's Rule.

This post has to do with how fair the passing box seems to the opponent. The one thing I don't want to get when using the box is a "cheap win". I physically can't use the TTQB. Standing up and throwing 10-15 times a game just isn't an option (weak legs due to multiple sclerosis). So the Box is great for me. But I want to earn my win, and there's one case where I think coaches can get frustrated playing against the Box, because it takes away one of their defensive weapons. Let me explain...

I can think of five things a defense can do to defend against a TTQB or TDQ.

1) Put pressure on the QB, resulting in a sack or turning off the board before the receivers are open
2) Cover the receivers so they don't get open
3) Get defenders in the passing lanes so that the passer has a tough throw (risk of interception)
4) Hope the passer misses the throw
5) Have a defensive safety in position to make the tackle (limit the gain)

(There are better coaches than me out there who can probably think of more).

With the box, #1, #2 and #5 still apply. #4 applies, except it is "hope your opponent throws a bad dice roll". But, using the box there is no equivalent to #3. Having players in the passing lane doesn't affect the box. As an example, the odds of completion (and interception) for these two passing situations are identical:





This is frustrating to the defensive coach, because it leaves him helpless against the box in these situations. One of his primary pass defense techniques is taken away from him. I've seen this frustration first hand - my opponents are cool about it, but I know they are frustrated -- they did everything right, but I still hit an "impossible" pass. Now you may argue that the high interception percentage of the box makes up for this. But that leaves it up to luck - the defender has to hope for a "12" roll (interception). And over the course of a single game, the dice rolls don't necessarily even out.

I would like to see defenses rewarded for filling the passing lanes. I don't know the exact rule change, but something like this: Measure the pass as usual. But, if there is a defender in the passing lane, within 10 yards of the receiver (between the QB and receiver), that receiver is "covered" and you can't throw to him. How do we define "in the passing lane"? One possibility is this: my measurement "ruler" is about an inch wide. When I line up my QB and Receiver with the ruler, if any defender is within 10 yards of the receiver, and his helmet is within the ruler width, then he is in the lane. So when I measure, if the defender's helmet is under the ruler, he's in the lane. That's just an idea; I'll have to think about this more and experiment.

Now, this will lower the completion percentage for Box QBs even more, and we've already seen that they are below-average QBs. So at the same time maybe we increase the completion dice rolls on the chart to make up for it. Again, more experimenting is required.

I am NOT proposing this rule change for this season. I'm saying we should think about it and experiment, in preparation for the CBSMF 2010 season.

Comments?

Jeff