Getting physical

Offensive players getting away with more infractions

I realize everyone is upset about the officiating issues that precipitated that ugly scene at the end of Sunday's Cleveland-Jacksonville game, but that situation was highly unusual. I'd be more concerned about a developing trend in officiating, allowing offensive players to get away with more in terms of illegal physical play against a defender.

Ray Lewis is one tough guy to block and when he blitzes the quarterback, he's an absolute terror. But on the touchdown pass from Kordell Stewart to Bobby Shaw, it goes unnoticed that while Pittsburgh's right guard is trying to slow down Lewis on his blitz, the Steelers' running back tries to cut Lewis' legs while he is engaged with the guard. It's not only an illegal block, it's a flat-out dangerous play, and it was not called.

Also during the Steelers-Ravens game, Pittsburgh's Plaxico Burress looked to me, at times, like he was pushing off. Officials are always looking for defensive backs interfering with wide receivers. But a number of secondary coaches I spoke with feel that offensive interference is on the rise and no one seems to notice, let alone stop it. As one coach described it, "The receivers look like NBA power forwards and the corners look like horse jockeys. And there's a ton of contact going on -- mostly from the big guys."

Warren Sapp is another defensive player who's been dominating opposing offenses for years. Yet while everyone was cheering for the Fred Baxter touchdown reception, it looked like Sapp was being tackled. And yet another penalty goes uncalled.

The defensive coaches around the league that I've talked to all think that nothing will be done about the increase in this kind of physical play. At least not until an obvious infraction happens at a critical time in a pivotal game. That's what it usually takes to launch a campaign for change.

Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated.

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