It goes without saying that defensive back is one of the hardest positions to play in the NFL. As a result, cornerbacks and safeties around the league were hoping for a bit of relief in the form of a new rule that would undoubtedly work out in their favor.

When players are penalized for pass interference, it often results in the ball being placed at the spot of the foul. However, the new proposal would instead replace it with the college rule that simply awards the offense 15 yards.

According to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, NFL’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent is strongly against changing the rule:

“The professional defensive backs were too skilled, too smart and could play the play so they could be strategic about it,” Vincent said. “You don’t want the defensive back being able to strategically grab a guy.”

It may come as a bit of a surprise to hear Vincent be opposed to a rule that favors defensive backs and players in coverage. The front office exec was a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback back in his playing days. However, it seems he knows firsthand how this rule can be taken advantage of.

Often times, defensive backs would rather take a penalty than allow a wide receiver to make a big play. This would only shorten the playing field for them to decide to do that in. Regardless, it is clear that the status quo favors the offense in these instances as there are times when they get bailed out by a flag on a ball they had no chance of hauling in.

Unfortunately, without another alternative, it seems things are not destined to change anytime soon.