All "Jack"ed Up?!?
Andy Lopusnak
Tuesday February 12, 2008
Many thought the rule would ruin the essence of the game; however, scoring skyrocketed with the Dallas Desperados (1,016 points) and San Jose SaberCats (1,012 points) posting the highest-scoring seasons in league history. Four quarterbacks tossed at least 100 touchdowns. In the previous 20 seasons, only two QBs ever reached the century mark. Average yards per rush was one of the lowest in league history, but there were more rushing TDs than any other previous season with Nashville’s Dan Alexander completely obliterating the previous AFL record (26) with 41 ground scores.
For the 2008 season, the league’s Board of Directors approved a rule change that allows the “jack” linebacker (JLB) to roam freely from sideline-to-sideline within five yards of the line of scrimmage once a play begins. Previously, the JLB was tethered to an imaginary “box” that at times was very confusing for referees, players, coaches and fans to always locate on the field depending on where the ball was spotted. Essentially, the “box” is the outside shoulder of the two offensive guards and was in play until the QB threw the ball, but depending on where the ball was placed in relation to the hash marks widened or shrunk the “box.”
When I heard the new rule change, I immediately thought that teams would reduce screen passes and tosses to the tight end/linemen. I suspect the JLB to be huge on short yardage third downs and especially in goal-to-go situations by double-teaming receivers.
With the JLB allowed the roam the width of the field, I believe sacks and interceptions will increase. Last season, on average, defenses sacked opposing quarterbacks once a game. The team with the best record (Dallas) was sacked a league-low four times and the team with the worst record (Las Vegas – now Cleveland) was dropped a league-high 32 times. Though more touchdowns were tossed last season than any other in league history, so too there were more interceptions thrown (308) in history.
Offensively, I sense that if the JLB goes outside of the “box” when the ball is snapped to double cover a received inside that five-yard cushion that more mobile QBs like Grand Rapids’ Adrian McPherson, who led all QBs with 360 yards on the ground last season and averaged over six-yards per carry, could use this as an opportunity to take off running down field and produce some very exciting plays. For the non-mobile QBs, quick passes to the fullback or a receiver lined up where in the backfield could be just as effective.
During the old Ironman days, with limited substitutions, some offensive coaches utilized the “jack box” to hide offensive weapons that weren’t that good on the other side of the ball. With the elimination substitutions, this new rule change was a natural progression to make the JLB a more defensive position because there was not a need to hide offensive players on defense.
Another rule change was the AFL becoming the first football league to institute coach-to-player communication with one defensive player on the field. Last year, the AFL began allowing the quarterback to use this communication system when the league eliminated coaches on the field during game play.
Last year’s rules certainly benefited the offense, while on paper these two rules seem to help the defense. But looks can be deceiving as with the substitution rule change last season. Nonetheless, the team that best adjusts to the new rules will most likely be hoisting the ArenaBowl trophy in New Orleans in July.
Other new rules being implemented this season:
- Offsides on kicking team – offsides penalty on kicking team increased from five to 10 yards.
- Endline on fumbles – any fumble that hits a wall adjacent to the endline will be a dead ball upon contact with the wall.
Andy Lopusnak is an 11-year AFL front office veteran, spending time with the Tampa Bay Storm, San Diego Riptide and Grand Rapids Rampage. He works as a statistician for NFL and college sports for CBS Sports and is a freelance photographer. Lopusnak received two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of South Florida and has been a fan of ArenaBall since its inception.
