A54 FOOTBALL BOB GLAUBER’S HOT READS
[email protected] Penaltiesup on defense The NFL gave fair warning that it would crack down on defensive players, calling penal- ties in the preseason just about every time adefender so much as laid ahand on areceiver. The KRUTSINGER trend most certainly has carried ENA over into the regular season, /K with penalties way up in the AGES passing game. IM According to the NFL, nearly LOGURSKY TTY GO four times as many illegal-con- GE tact penalties have been called Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. UGENE through five games as there /E were at this point last year (59 After all, Pittsburgh quarter- AGES to 15). Defensive-holding calls back Ben Roethlisberger is IM also are way up; last year, there 18-1 against Cleveland, the TTY were 52 calls through Week 5, best record of any quarter- GE compared to 115 this season. back against ateam since the Jim McMahon and Jeremy Roenick attend Players Against Concussions at Pelham CC on Oct. 6. There also have been 14 1970 merger. more penalties for pass interfer- ence and 48 more calls for Hey Rodgers! nonprofit organization dedicat- he has experienced, especial- illegal use of the hands. No wonder Aaron Rodgers ing to helping athletes at all ly if their issues are related But the crackdown on defend- was telling Packers fans to Jim’s levels of sports better under- to neck problems not previ- ers in the passing game hasn’t relax after they panicked stand the dangers of concus- ously diagnosed.