Around the NFL week 8

[FrenchSkin]

Originally Posted by Chief X_Phackter

I'm pretty sure NFL QBs get the same protection whether they are sliding feet first or head first, and the ball should be spotted where the slide began - wherever the ball is when the first body part (other than the feet) touches the ground. If a ref spotted it at the end of the slide, it was a bad spot.

I don't think so, a QB running with the ball, especially past the LoS, is a runner and has no particular protection.
If he slides feet first though, you're right, he gives himself up, forward progress is stopped at the beginning of the slide, and he becomes a defenseless player so contact to the head and neck area is prohibited... but technically a defender doesn't need to touch him, the play is over when he begins sliding.

Now, I agree it should be made clear that:

-you can't fake slide, if you begin to slide, the play is over

-you don't get specific protection if you're making a move and then slide at the last second. Like either make it 2 yards from a defender or "defender has to have a reasonable react time".