Thursday open thread: Does the NFL need to fix their roughing the passer rules?

While we were all freaking out about the NFL’s new rule regarding helmet contact, a smaller rule change was lying dormant, waiting to ruin the game as we know it.

During this year’s owner’s meeting this year, the NFL adopted several new rules, including the aforementioned helmet rule, a kickoff change and finally a change to the catch rule.

However, on the NFL’s official “2018 RULES CHANGES AND POINTS OF EMPHASIS” page, if you scroll way down the page, you’ll see a section labeled “Protection of Quarterbacks.” There you’ll find an enforcement change that has rocked the NFL season through three weeks:

“The Officiating Department will emphasize that the defender is responsible for avoiding…