5 rules in sports that make 0 sense

1. Pass interference in the NFL – How is pass interference still a spot of foul penalty and not a 15 yard penalty like it is in college football? Does the NFL think if it was a 15 yard penalty there’d just be people tackled on every single long pass? I just can’t see how it’s logical to have 60 yard penalties based on the discretion of the referee. Making it a 15 yard penalty would greatly take away the referee’s impact on NFL games and I don’t see any reason for it not to be done immediately.

2. The lack of dedicated replay officials – Currently in the NFL, MLB, and NBA when something needs to be reviewed the officials stop the game for up to 10-15 minutes to go look at it. Why can’t there just be a replay official who sits in front of a crystal clear HD television and makes these calls? This is what college football does and while it doesn’t eliminate controversial rulings, at least we won’t waste 15 minutes watching Ed Hochuli under a tarp looking at a tiny television. The NFL system seems to be the most egregious offender of this because a lengthy review can completely destroy the momentum a team has gained. The NFL is actually proposing to change this system this offseason and I hope they do.

3. Pass or fumble in the NFL – I don’t know if there are more illogical rules in sports than what the NFL uses to determine whether a quarterback fumbled or passed the ball. Currently, if a quarterback begins to throw the football, loses his grip of it in the process, and still manages to throw it 15 yards down the field, it’s a fumble. However, if a quarterback tries to stop his throw and begins to tuck it into his body, it’s a pass. Does this make sense to anyone? If a quarterback’s arm gets hit and he still manages to use his finger tip to pass it down the field, how is it not considered a pass?

4. Charging in basketball – Charges in basketball are called way too frequently. It turns an athletic sport into a bunch of people falling down trying to get foul calls. It allows Glen Davis to be considered a decent defender. (If your best asset as a player is your ability to fall down, you should not be in the NBA) If it were up to me charges would only be called if the offensive player is totally out of control, uses unreasonable physical force or is in the restricted area. I don’t see how doing this wouldn’t improve basketball dramatically and immediately.

5. Traveling in the NBA- Does anyone know what a travel is these days? This is a rule that just seems to be arbitrarily called. Can you do jump stops where both your feet don’t hit the ground at the same time? Can you take as many steps as you want on a fast break? Are dribble rules disregarded entirely if your name is Lebron James or Derrick Rose? Rules should never be disregarded in some cases and that’s exactly what traveling seems to be in the NBA.