The Tush Push
Fine, I guess it’s about time we talked about this.
The Tush Push is fine.
It’s perfectly fine. It’s legal, just because the Eagles are good at it doesn’t mean it’s broken. Many teams have started to try it this season and the success rate is about normal for what is essentially just a QB sneak with extra groping. Most of the whining I see about the play is just that: whining. Yes, I also hate that the Eagles have basically found an offensive play that gets them a first down when they need one yard on an automatic basis. That’s because I hate the Eagles and wish them harm, not because I think the play should be banned. I see nothing wrong with the play at all. It’s not a cheat code. It only works on short-yardage situations. The play is not the problem, the problem is defenses have not yet found an appropriate way to counter it. The onus is on coaches and defenses to figure that out.
As several teams have already proven the Tush Push is not automatic. Frankly, the reason the Eagles are good at it is because the Eagles have:
-An outstanding offensive line
-A QB who squats 600lbs and uses his legs as part of his game
If they outlawed the Tush Push and the Eagles could only use regular QB sneaks I’m pretty sure they’d still convert at almost the exact same rate they currently do. QB sneaks are fairly reliable if you have a semi-decent O-line. The catch is always that it only works at short range, so you can’t use it if you are 2+ yards back.
I’ve seen the complaints that the play uses the QB as a “battering ram” and that it’s dangerous but a QB sneak is already a rugby scrum with a ton of contact, a bit extra oomph on the ass isn’t doing much to make it that much more dangerous. I say this as a fan of a team that lost two linemen to the play on Monday night. The Giants failed and got hurt because the Giants are butt. Not the play’s fault. I’ve also seen Richard Sherman’s critique of the play, which is probably the best counterargument that I’ve seen overall, and still isn’t precisely on point. Here’s his point:
“My problem with the tush push is the NFL literally banned defensive players from pushing other players into the offensive formation on FG and PATs because it was a “Health and safety issue” but now it’s ok because it benefits the offense?”
I think that’s fair. If the NFL literally banned defenders pushing other defenders on the basis of safety, then the offense probably shouldn’t be able to do it either. Thing is, Field Goals and PATs are different plays than a 4th and short up the gut. As far as I know, defenders are able to shove dudes on these sneaks, and I wonder why that hasn’t been deployed as a tactic yet. A few linebackers shoving a nose tackle up the middle might be exactly the right way to stuff the Hut Hut Butt. But if that is illegal, then yeah, that’s a double standard.
There are also people who want to ban it because it isn’t fun to watch. Give me a fucking break. Eat my butt. QB sneaks have existed forever and are just as boring to watch and nobody ever cried about banning them because it was a dull play. Most of us aren’t thrilled when a team chucks RBs up the stuffed A gap late in games trying to run out the clock. It’s strategy. Teams aren’t focused on looking good for the cameras, they are focused on winning. If you want your football to be exclusively aesthetically pleasing fancy plays why the hell are you watching a sport derived from Rugby that spent most of its existence as big dudes smashing into each other? I like the Tush Push for reminding me of the sport’s roots. I think watching a team move forward en masse is actually pretty cool. I think it’s funny watching players touch each other on the butt. Football is deeply erotic.
So yeah. If you want my opinion on the Tush Push, or “Brotherly Shove”, or as it should truly be called, The Bush Push; it’s fine, and everyone should shut the fuck up about it. The amount of whining I’ve seen about this stupid fucking legal play is ridiculous.
Now the Lane Johnson false start leg kickback thing that’s been causing controversy, that one should be outlawed imo. No movement till the snap ya fuckers.
Final Reminder: Going on vacation for a week, don’t expect an update till later next week
It originated in Eyeshield 21 back in the 2000s. Chapter 236-237 – Deimon Devilbats vs Oujou White Knights, Kantou Tournament semis.
Deimon are up 36-34, but Oujou are pushing for a TD right at the end of the 4th. Sena (protagonist, Devilbats RB/free safety) is sidelined with a nosebleed, so Yukimitsu (Devilbats backup receiver) subs in. He realised Shin (White Knights LB/RB) planned to score as the clock hits zero – so he pushes the Oujou player from behind so he breaks the plane with one second left. Which was all Deimon needed.
The Bush push was 2005 so you gotta get a date on those chapters because it may not have been first
Looks like those chapters were published Nov. 2, 2007, so the Bush Push does predate it.
Really fun series, though. There’s no nonsensical bullshit like sports anime bullshit.
For historical accuracy, that’s not quite right. The November 7th date is when several chapters were collected and published in what Japan calls Takoban. But each chapter of the Eyeshield 21 series, was first published in the weekly Shonen Jump magazine. While my investigation couldn’t pinpoint the exact date chapter 236 was published in Shonen Jump, my calculations put it between February to March of 2007.
I feel like if it wasn’t the EAGLES doing it, people wouldn’t be as annoyed by it. The fact that it’s an already very talented team with arguably one of the worst, most vocal fan bases makes it a recipe for annoyance. If it’s the Chargers doing it, I doubt there’s as much of an outcry.
If the Chargers do it, they’re losing 4 players to injury on every attempt.
Below their average for a typical play, they should definitely do it then!
We’ve tried it once this year already; it did not go well.
Dave, do you practice drawing Hurts’ face in Panel 4 often orrrrrrr
With all the Thirsty Trevor images. I think he’s had some practice.
That 4th panel is the most cursed thing and I’m here for it
I take full credit for this comic
Dave…. Dave.
You have a problem… you are addicted to drawing big butts and I cannot lie.
lol
I’m still laughing at this comic like 2 weeks later lol
If the Vikings start using this play then it’s definitely going to be outlawed, after Kirk’s phat dumpy outright crushes a lineman.
Dave, you’re 100% right about the play itself, but I’m a little disappointed in your take on the play’s proper name.
I remember your rant about the Muscle Hamster, and how he should quit whining about his nickname and accept it. Because you don’t get to pick your own nickname. 100% right on. (…What even was that guy’s name?)
So in this case, why are we letting philly trash pick their own name? Especially when “Tush Push” came first, is much snappier off the tongue, and doesn’t rebrand their trash city & trash people as ‘loving’?
BS sounds so awkward out loud, destroying the alliterative cadence of “Brotherly Love.” Was painful to hear Scott Hanson say it 5 times an hour last Sunday.
And with their team & fans so desperate to ‘shove’ this new name down our throats, it’s clear they didn’t like the “Tush Push” moniker. Probably were a bit insecure about an ‘immature’ name for their basic-‘ass’ play
Tush Push is the original, superior, more fitting name. And with how frothy Filthadelphia fans are about trying to correct everyone and rename it, I think we gotta ‘get behind’ Tush Push now more than ever. No more BS! Down with BS!
Thank you for coming to my talk
Not sure why you think I like Brotherly Shove just because I didn’t flame it
Tush Push is the superior name by miles
Oof that’s on me. I read your line as “…, or ‘Brotherly Shove’ as it should truly be called.” Now I’m seeing that you meant Bush Push was the OG name, fair.
That said, I feel like it does deserve to be specifically flamed, due to all the reasons I ranted about
Honestly, is there a wrong choice here?? It’s either going to be called BS or TP for the rest of eternity. I just don’t think you can go wrong with either one.
Grateful for the fact that this will be the front page comic for a week
Love the fact that this comic is tagged “Sex”
butts are gross
your face is gross >:(
As an Eagle fan, the Dumb Bum Run is a bad play and should be outlawed.