At what point did it become fine to blatantly hold?

[VolInNW]

Many officials have said over the years that they are told to call holding, particularly offensive holding, only if it is reasonably close to the point of attack or otherwise directly affects the play. For example, a hold by the left tackle gets called if the offense runs the ball off to the left side of the offensive line. If the play was a run the other way, it won't get called. That cliché about "you could call holding on just about every play if you wanted to" is pretty much true; if you watch highlights or replays during games and really pay attention to the offensive linemen, the hands of at least one of the offensive linemen gets outside about every play, and he won't immediately let go. That is technically holding as the rule is written. It's just part of the game.

Having said that, I've seen holding not get called at least a dozen times this year right in front of the QB (and right in front of the referee) when we have a rushing DE who absolutely otherwise would have gotten to the QB.

I remember the pic from 2014 or so when Bennett was basically being de-panted by the Gump OL right in front of the QB and ref. No call.

Don't even try and tell me there is no 'Bama Whistle'!

 

[Dadof2Vols]

In conference play, UGA is the 11th least penalized team (6th most). UT is one spot worse. In terms of flags on opponents in conference play, UGA averages gets the third fewest called on opponents in yardage term. Tennessee gets the fourth most.

In other words, in conference play, UGA and Tennessee get flagged about the same, but UGA averages getting many fewer calls against opponents than Tennessee does.

in front of referee

 

[Visidog]

in front of referee

It’s a missed call. The refs missed an upfield hand PI. It happens and it’s not reviewable (unless you’re Texas). At game speed, instead of slow mo, it’s bang-bang—but still early and should have been flagged.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

It’s a missed call. The refs missed an upfield hand PI. It happens and it’s not reviewable (unless you’re Texas). At game speed, instead of slow mo, it’s bang-bang—but still early and should have been flagged.

As you said calls are always missed but it’s where the calls get called or don’t that are momentum killers or makers.

Called straight up, the game Saturday might have been decided on last play of Q4…..

To me the timing and type of calls is what is missed when people argue against the refs affecting the game and they refuse to admit calls or lack of do change the game. Saturday night UGA got phantom calls to extend drives and UT got phantom or no calls which killed drives. It did affect the game.

 

[Visidog]

As you said calls are always missed but it’s where the calls get called or don’t that are momentum killers or makers.

Called straight up, the game Saturday might have been decided on last play of Q4…..

To me the timing and type of calls is what is missed when people argue against the refs affecting the game and they refuse to admit calls or lack of do change the game. Saturday night UGA got phantom calls to extend drives and UT got phantom or no calls which killed drives. It did affect the game.

I know it feels like hell to see it. We had a phantom offside negate a punt we blocked and a brutal missed facemask in a national championship game that went to overtime. Those calls never leave you.

 

[adam.vol]

Usually depends on the team doing the holding.

^^ If you can’t agree with that, I think you’re past due for another booster shot.