Roughing the Passer

Question
I understand "roughing the kicker" pretty well, if you don't get any of the ball and hit the kicker it is a penalty.  That's pretty definitive but what about "roughing the passer"? Is there any objective criteria or is it just a judgement call?  Against Tex A&M
Tyler Wilson (ARK) threw 51 passes and was probably hit 40 times and no roughing was ever called.  Same thing the week before against Alabama.

Answer
Hello Jack,

Well sir, this is a very touchy subject. Especially when you start talking to defensive players and old school lovers of the game. Although, there is a criteria set for roughing the passer (the defender can not take two or more steps after the ball has been thrown/released), it is truly in the eyes of the official. If he feels the defender could not stop his momentum or if the defender was blocked into the passer then no penalty will be called.

In "football's" attempt to protect the quarterback, they have created to much room for people to question each call. In the situation last week where Michael Vick was complaining. I actually looked at the game ( I had it recorded). Some of the hits were questionable. But also I looked at some other games and I saw the same thing.

I read an article that was talking about this. The author, in a joking way, said, " At this rate, soon all the defender will have to do is touch the quarterback and he will be considered down."

Football is a violent sport. I understand trying to protect from injuries, but some of it is just football. Part of that is my old school ways of playing the game. No one wants to see anyone hurt, but in the attempt to protect players, you just have to think they are taking away from the game. Those are just my personal thoughts.

So, as much as there is a guideline set, it is a judgement call.