When Is A Sack Not A Sack?

The latest fiasco in the National Football League has shown that things have swung too far.

When Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews put a form tackle on quarterback Alex Smith of the Washington Redskins, yet gets flagged for roughing the passer, it's too much. Somethings gotta give.

That's two weeks in a row for crappy calls on Matthews -- and you wonder: If any other defender had registered that sack, would it have stood or would the flag of come out?

Defenders around the league, seeing the tape, will not doubt wonder just HOW they should tackle the quarterback. And this may come back be the opposite result the NFL is looking for. Instead of preventing QB injuries, it may lead to more. If I'm a defender, I might just think "screw it, they're gonna flag me no matter what, so I might as well get a good shot in!"

The solution might be to review every sack that gets a flag, like the targeting calls in college football.  Would it make the games a little longer? Sure, but at least the calls made would be the right ones. In the meantime, look for the NFL to walk back their current stance.