Early in Thursday night’s matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Baltimore Ravens, a 5-yard illegal formation penalty was assessed to Ravens left tackle Ronnie Stanley for lining up too deep.
According to NFL rules, an offensive lineman’s helmet must align with the center’s waist, and deviating from this alignment can offer an offensive advantage while complicating defensive efforts against pass rushers.
The officiating crew, led by Shawn Hochuli, enforced the same penalty three plays later against right tackle Patrick Mekari, followed by another flag on Stanley during the next snap.
These three penalties occurred within the first seven plays of the game, setting a striking tone for the season opener.
This strict officiating focus stems from league discussions earlier in the preseason. League and team sources revealed that officials were instructed by the NFL’s officiating department to prioritize illegal formation violations starting from Week 3 of the preseason.
Hochuli’s crew, in particular, highlighted this during a preseason game against the New England Patriots by issuing four penalties for the same infraction across four consecutive drives.
Increased Preseason Penalty Trends
By comparison, only 13 such penalties were recorded across the league in the first two preseason weeks. To ensure clarity, the NFL sent a detailed teaching tape and memo to all teams before the regular season began.
A spokesperson stated that the league is emphasizing all line-of-scrimmage violations, including illegal formations, pre-snap movements, and alignment by both the offense and defense.
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that this issue was discussed in his pregame meeting with officials, saying, “They are taking it seriously, which I believe is the correct approach.”
Historical Comparisons and Penalty Enforcement
The events of Thursday’s game drew parallels to Week 1 of the 2023 season when Chiefs right tackle Jawaan Taylor’s alignment was questioned during a broadcast.
Although not flagged in that instance, Taylor was penalized for illegal formation in subsequent weeks. Despite these calls, the 2023 season ended with just 55 offensive illegal formation penalties, the fewest in a decade.
A source familiar with internal officiating conversations noted that officials last season often opted for reminders over penalties, allowing players to adjust their alignment mid-game.
However, players frequently reverted to improper positioning after brief compliance, effectively exploiting the leniency.
The source further stated that officials received lower performance grades for neglecting to call these infractions, prompting this year’s increased enforcement to standardize calls across crews and encourage proper player alignment.
Stanley, who was not penalized for this violation last season, shared that he received no prior warning from the officiating crew before being penalized during the game.
However, two sources indicated that Ravens coaches were reminded pregame of the rule emphasis. Officials were expected to provide teams with a warning pregame and one in-game before issuing penalties unless the violation was considered blatant, in which case immediate flags would follow.
Stanley expressed his frustration, feeling singled out by the officials. He noted that Taylor, the Chiefs’ right tackle, displayed a similar alignment yet avoided penalties for illegal formation, although he was flagged for two false starts.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh commented, “We were the first offensive series of the season, and I think it became a focal point because of the audience. It’ll be interesting to see if the consistency holds throughout the season.”
Why the Jaguars Chose Liam Coen as Head Coach
In Jacksonville, a remarkable coaching hire unfurl as Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen informed the team of his decision to become the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach.
Initially hesitant and even declining an in-person interview, Coen reconsidered once the Jaguars parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke.
The turnaround occurred swiftly over two days, beginning with Coen rejecting the Jaguars’ offer and instead securing a contract extension with the Buccaneers, which would have made him the league’s highest-paid coordinator.
However, following Baalke’s departure, the Jaguars reached out again, prompting Coen to travel to Jacksonville for discussions. By Thursday night, Coen finalized his decision to take the head coaching role.
As the team transitions under Coen, expectations are substantial. After a 4-13 season that saw underperformance across multiple areas, the Jaguars hope Coen brings the stability needed after cycling through four head coaches in six years.
NFL analysts weighed in on Coen’s hiring. Michael DiRocco and Jenna Laine discussed what the decision means for Jacksonville’s future, while Dan Graziano provided insights on the hiring process.
Additionally, Matt Miller highlighted the potential impact on the draft, and Ben Solak evaluated the decision.
What the Jaguars Gain in Coen
Coen, who credits his understanding of defenses to his tenure with Sean McVay and the Rams, is known for crafting adaptable offensive schemes tailored to personnel.
His success with the Buccaneers, particularly in elevating quarterback Baker Mayfield to career-best performances in 2024, underscores his capabilities.
Under Coen, the Buccaneers’ offense excelled despite injuries to key receivers and saw a drastic improvement in their run game, transforming from the league’s worst rushing team in 2023 to one of its best in 2024.
For the Jaguars, Coen’s emphasis on balancing the offense could alleviate the heavy reliance on quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
With a rushing attack that has ranked near the league’s bottom for the past two seasons, Coen’s strategies could maximize the potential of running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby while diversifying the offensive approach.
Baalke’s Exit as a Catalyst
Sources revealed that Coen’s initial withdrawal from the coaching search was partly influenced by concerns over Baalke’s presence.
While Baalke’s exit played a role in reversing Coen’s decision, it wasn’t the sole factor. Jaguars owner Shad Khan, seeking a young, offense-oriented coach for Lawrence’s development, had been willing to address structural concerns during the hiring process.
Coen emerged as the leading candidate after other contenders, such as former Lions coordinator Ben Johnson, accepted different opportunities.
