What common football idiom makes you cringe when you hear it?

[NorthCyd]

There are some pretty good ones in here but most of the ones that bug the hell out of me come from basketball. There seems to be ones falling from announcers', coaches' and players' mouths just about every other sentence.

Over the back

 

[Blandboy]

Tackling “in space” (Houston, we have a problem)...

 

[Blandboy]

“Pound the rock”

 

[VeloClone]

Over the back

More like:
He plays within himself. (because the game is played in his descending colon)
He gives 110%. (because the dials all go to eleven)
He created the contact. (or in other words an offensive foul that wasn't called)
He lets the game come to him. (Why go to the arena when you can be sitting on your couch eating Fritos?)
He sold the foul. (He flopped better than Marcus Smart.)
...

Sorry, I know this is supposed to be about football.

 

[ruxCYtable]

A relatively new phrase that has become very common: Concussion Protocol.

We get it. There is now a process in place. But do you have to say that so-and-so is "in the concussion protocol"? Just say he has a concussion, or may have a concussion, or is being evaluated for a concussion, whatever...

I don't know why, it really bugs me.

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

Several of these are grammar miscues, which makes my proper-grammar-loving self proud. And I can say that here without being castigated for being a grammar nerd.

 

[jmb]

I really dislike the "they are within 3 points..." Nope. They are down by three not within.

 

[4theCYcle]

“Catching the ball at its highest point”. In other words, they jumped up 20 feet and caught the ball at the apex? Unless, the QB is throwing a line drive, you will never catch the ball at its highest point.
I hate when broadcasters say “strenf” or “lenth” rather than “Strength” and “length”. This is more common in basketball. Just pronounce it correctly.
“He gave 110%”. Not only is it impossible to give over 100%, but why did he only give 10% more than what he is already capable of?

You hit the nail on the head for the ones I was going to mention. I hate the strenth and lenth. Did they not take speech class?

Yep, "I'm 160% committed." Oh? Ya don't say? lol....

 

[jmb]

He out ran that ball.

Usually in baseball, but I've heard it said about receivers, too. Not sure it's possible to outrun a hit or thrown ball.

 

[CyAtlanta]

Not sure if it's a first down. "It depends on where they mark it" Well......yeah.

 

[throwittoblythe]

99% of commentators and announcers do not enunciate "offensive line" and "defensive line." They all say "offensa line" and "defensa line." It drives me nuts.

 

[ruxCYtable]

Referee language: "The previous play is under further review."

No, it isn't under further review. It hasn't been reviewed yet. It's under review.

In general I think all refs with microphones talk too much.

"Minnesota is challenging the ruling on the field, that the runner was down short of the line to gain."

How about,"Minnesota is challenging the spot on the previous play."

Maybe I'm the only one, but I grew up with a newspaper editor mother who stressed that less was more.

 

[cyclones500]

A couple more sports adjectives that bug me.
* Resiliency. I guess "resilience" isn't resilient enough.
* Tenaciousness. To hell with tenacity!

 

[cycloneted]

This is football related only because CMC uses the phrase all the time, but "I'll be honest with you."

I certainly don't think he means it like this, but when you use that phrase, it implies that other things you have said were/are not honest. Almost like he's saying, "Well usually I'd just lie to answer this question, but this time I'll be honest, [gives answer]."

 

[cyclones500]

"They wanted it more than we did" or "we wanted it more than they did."

(Italics are my emphasis):
"Brett Favre just loves to throw the ball around the yard. Brett Favre is a gunslinger who just loves to play the game of football."

 

[VeloClone]

This is football related only because CMC uses the phrase all the time, but "I'll be honest with you."

I certainly don't think he means it like this, but when you use that phrase, it implies that other things you have said were/are not honest. Almost like he's saying, "Well usually I'd just lie to answer this question, but this time I'll be honest, [gives answer]."

You should probably take it as, "Most coaches would just white wash the answer to that question but I'll be honest with you..."

 

[cyclones500]

This is football related only because CMC uses the phrase all the time, but "I'll be honest with you."

I certainly don't think he means it like this, but when you use that phrase, it implies that other things you have said were/are not honest. Almost like he's saying, "Well usually I'd just lie to answer this question, but this time I'll be honest, [gives answer]."

A sibling to this is "if I'm being honest." Well, what if you AREN'T being honest? Then what?

Both phrases extend beyond sports and into general writing and conversation. To tell you the truth.

 

[Tank]

When a person uses the term "we" when talking about a football team.
For example: my mother-in-law, when talking about Nebraska football, will always say that "we are playing today" or "we won/lost the game".
My response to her is always "when did you start playing or ever play football for Nebraska?"

 

[pulse]

Nut cup

 

[jcyclonee]

When they make plurals of an individual's name.

"The Tom Bradys of this world can make that throw."

No. Tom Brady of the Patriots can make that throw. No other Tom Brady can make that throw.