USA TODAY Sports
The worst rule in football was heard ugly in Kansas City on Sunday and stabbed the Browns on a play that looks like it’s going to be an attack for Cleveland, but ultimately a setback for the Chiefs.
After the game, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about the game.
“I will never doubt Rashard Higgins ‘effort or our guys’ effort,” Stefanski told reporters after the game. ‘We rule there is no way to reach the ball when it’s first and goal, and he knows it. Again, [I] appreciate his effort. He struggled as always, but we have to fight the urge because it is such a huge loss if it will eventually be a setback. ‘
Stefanski is right. And the Browns’ internal rule is accurate, given the nonsensical NFL rule that would give Cleveland possession on the point of fumbling if it went beyond the bounds of one inch line, but which gave the Chiefs on their own the ball went in and out of the end zone.
The biggest problem with the rule is this: it punishes effort. Yes, there is a chance that a whisper in the end zone will be repaired by the defense. If so, the defense should get the ball. If it is not recovered before it is out of play, the rule should be no different than the ball going out of bounds in the 100-meter green.