ANSWER GUY

Why is there a line of scrimmage in football?

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Mark Schlereth, NFL analyst, ESPN:
I hadn't really thought about it. I know it's an imaginary line where the two teams face off on opposite sides of the ball.

You don't say.

I've always thought of it as "the briar patch."

Come again?

Like where Br'er Rabbit gets thrown in. It's where all the bruises, eye-gouging and crotch-grabbing happens.

What a game! But where does the term come from?

Saleem Chaudhry, researcher, Pro Football Hall of Fame:
The term is used in rule books going back to the 1880s. One early version says, "A scrimmage takes place when the holder of the ball, being in the field of play, puts it down on the ground in front of him and puts it in play by kicking or snapping it back."

And the "scrimmage" part?

I'm not entirely sure.

KC Joyner, the Football Scientist:
I've heard this story: In the late 1800s, several people were killed playing college football. It was a result of the flying wedge, in which groups of blockers formed a triangle in front of the ballcarrier.

Wonder if the Titans have considered this.

They'd get a huge running start, then smash into the defense at full speed. The rules were changed to stop the action after each play and establish the snap from a neutral zone. That effectively did away with the running start.

So little ol' line of scrimmage actually saves lives?

Correct. By the way, the word "scrimmage" comes from "scrummage," which is what rugby players now call a scrum.

Brian Vizard, former captain, U.S. National Rugby Team:
A scrum occurs after a minor infraction, like a forward pass. Both teams convene, eight guys on each side. The ball is put in the middle as two props hold up the hooker, who strikes the ball back so the No. 8 can pick it up.

I don't know what any of that means, but I like it!

There are lots of similarities between the games. Like when a rugby player scores a try, he has to touch the ball down in the goal area. That's where the term "touchdown" comes from.

What about the other "downs," like first down and second down?

We don't have those in rugby.

Hmmm. [Ed.'s note: Stay tuned … ]

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