The Tush Push got a stay of execution from the NFL owners as the opponents of the play only got 22 of the required 24 votes.
The Philadelphia Eagles have been the biggest beneficiaries of the oft-complained-about play. By all accounts, Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie was rather passionate about the play staying on the right side of the rule book.
Over the last two seasons, the Tush Push has been in the crosshairs of some owners and coaches, and I don’t get it.
The complaining reminds me of when the Cincinnati Bengals’ hurry-up offense under Sam Wyche got some coaches riled up, including Marv Levy. This is ironic because, after a rule change, the Bills used it to their advantage.
If the Tush Push was an “unfair” play, every team would be running it or, at least, running it at the same efficiency as the Eagles. Something the Eagles do makes them successful and grinds the gears of several owners and coaches.
It will be interesting to see if a slight augmentation to the proposed rule change would get the owners to 24 “yes” votes.
If that happens, I’ll be disappointed. The NFL doesn’t get the blistering social media criticism that the NBA gets, but that’s because NFL fans are quicker to forgive the league’s sins.
The NFL has special rules for the quarterback, and it’s hard to be a dominant defense with the offensive-friendly rules that the league has implemented over the last generation.
So why does this one draw the ire of so many?
Is there some sort of dislike for Lurie?
Jalen Hurts might not be the quarterback the league would like to see succeed at its most important position, but if you believe that wins and losses are a quarterback stat, he is a robust 46-20.
The attack on the play seems to be an attack on the Eagles more than anything else.
Philadelphia won this round, but there seems to be an axe to grind by the other owners so, more than likely, the win will be temporary.
