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Watch: What the heck is a horse-collar tackle?
With 1:42 left in the first half of Sunday’s wild-card game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, Packers linebacker Quay Walker was penalized for a horse-collar tackle on running back Tony Pollard. But was it the right call?
this was called a horse collar tackle that Packers got a penalty on, and kept the Cowboys drive alive pic.twitter.com/S0Pg3a1irk
— Tedd Buddwell (@TedBuddy8) January 14, 2024
This is what the NFL has to say in the rule book.
"No player shall grab the inside collar of the back or the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, or grab the jersey at the name plate or above, and pull the runner toward the ground," notes the NFL Football Operations definition, "This does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket. Note: It is not necessary for a player to pull the runner completely to the ground in order for the act to be illegal. If his knees are buckled by the action, it is a foul, even if the runner is not pulled completely to the ground."
The NFL banned horse-collar tackles in 2005, assigning a 15-yard penalty for the offense. According to nflpenalties.com, the infraction was called 13 times during the regular season.
Clearly, the rule is open to interpretation as Walker’s hands were placed on the front of Pollard’s shoulder pads. The call helped Dallas score their first points of the game but ultimately had no bearing in a victory for Green Bay
But as teams like the Packers move on in the playoffs, the NFL should offer some clarity on the call
More must-reads:
- Watch: Packers rout of Cowboys leads to early fan exodus
- Watch: Jordan Love, Luke Musgrave torch Cowboys defense on 38-yard TD
- The 'Most passing yards in the postseason' quiz
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Steelers' chances to land Aaron Rodgers are now slim: 'Doesn't really want to play for [Pittsburgh]'
The Pittsburgh Steelers are without a starting quarterback, but it seems almost inevitable that the team will eventually sign veteran Aaron Rodgers. Where Rodgers lands is a decision that is solely in the quarterback's own hands, and he has made it clear that he's comfortable taking his sweet time. All the while, the Steelers have waited patiently for Rodgers, seemingly confident enough that the quarterback will land with them that they can afford to wait. As Rodgers' options for a team have grown limited, it has become increasingly likely that he will sign with Pittsburgh. However, according to Mike Florio, Rodgers may not be as intent on signing with the Steelers as they may have hoped. On Wednesday, Florio said on his podcast, "PFT Live with Mike Florio Podcast," that Rodgers doesn't want to become a Steeler and is holding out for another team. The information comes from someone that Florio alleges is a high-up individual in the NFL. "I had somebody suggest to me yesterday, and I'm just sharing what I heard, what this person's opinion is. It's not a fact. It's not a report. But it's someone who is in the ecosystem and isn't a low-level employee. This is a high-level person with one of the teams. The opinion is he (Rodgers) doesn't really want to play for the Steelers, and he's waiting for Minnesota." It's already been documented that Rodgers' first choice for a new team is the Minnesota Vikings. Rodgers was considered a long shot for the Vikings, as they will likely opt to start J.J. McCarthy. However, due to the Vikings being unable to 100% rule out Rodgers, the veteran may be holding out hope. Signing Rodgers would likely mean the Vikings keeping McCarthy on the bench. It would be an unlikely move by Minnesota, as their young quarterback was already out for the last season due to an injury. The Vikings will be looking to give McCarthy more playing time, and making him play backup to Rodgers isn't the way to do that. Steelers signing Rodgers may be the quarterback's only choice besides retirement It would be a bad look for the Steelers if the quarterback they have been pursuing for so long ends up not wanting to play in Pittsburgh. On the other hand, Rodgers may be denying the inevitable. Rodgers is 41 years old and will be 42 by the end of next season. The quarterback is well past his prime and isn't the asset he once was. Although the Vikings may not be able to 100% rule out signing Rodgers, there could still technically be a 1% chance they do sign him, and that slim chance may be the thing Rodgers is holding out for. However, Rodgers needs better odds than that, and if the quarterback wants any chance of ending his career on a high note, he may need to bite the bullet and sign with the Steelers. Besides the Steelers, Rodgers' most likely option is to retire. It's arguably the least attractive option for the quarterback. Rodgers had a lackluster last two years with the New York Jets. The Steelers give Rodgers the best option to finish his NFL tenure with a winning record. What could be keeping Rodgers from signing with Pittsburgh? Some think that the Steelers and Rodgers already have a secret deal worked out. Rodgers has also hinted at it himself when he worked out with one of the Steelers' newest wide receivers, DK Metcalf. At the end of the day, it is nearly impossible to predict what choice Rodgers will make. Although with his options becoming more limited, likely now only between Pittsburgh and retirement, his choice should be getting easier.
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Yellowstone's Taylor Sheridan Announces Bosque Ranch to Host First Concert in Fall
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Jim Nantz retracts Masters retirement statement after misunderstanding
Jim Nantz has been synonymous with the Masters since he first worked on the CBS broadcast for golf's greatest tradition. The same can be said for CBS' coverage of March Madness, which Nantz began covering that same year for the network. He stepped away from college hoops in 2023, and speculation of his official retirement from hosting the Masters has swirled lately. Last week, in an interview with "Bunkered," Nantz remarked that he was targeting 2036, which would be his 51st and the tournament's 100th, as his final Masters. Nantz said, "It would be a perfect place to walk out." But according to Nantz, that statement was taken out of context. “There was a lot said last week about a certain retirement date, I think it was called,” Nantz said during CBS's Masters preview call on Tuesday. “I never made that proclamation or declaration. I’ve said it for decades that I would really like to one day be able to be at Augusta for the hundredth playing of the Masters.” Nantz clarified that those comments were more abstract than they came off. “There was not an attempt there to try to put a timeline on it,” he said. “I’ve always said it with a wink in my eye, and a little whimsy, that if all things worked out and everybody wanted me to continue to do it, I would like to be there in 2036. I never wanted to have any attention on me and my longevity at Augusta.” The five-time National Sportscaster of the Year winner made it clear he plans to work the Masters for as long as he is able to. “It is an honor beyond words,” he said. “And we’ll see what the good Lord has as far as plans for me — maybe it’s 2036, maybe it’s beyond, maybe it’s earlier than that. I don’t know. I’m locked in on one thing: this edition of the Master’s. And next year, God willing, if I’m there again, I’m gonna be completely in the moment.”
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