Auburn's Gus Malzahn: Downfield blocking rule takes creativity out of the game

It's no surprise that Auburn head football coach Gus Malzahn isn't a fan of the new downfield blocking rule - especially since few programs took advantage of the old rule as well as the Tigers did in recent years.

The NCAA is now considering shackling offensive linemen closer to the line of scrimmage, forcing them to stay within 1-yard of the line of scrimmage on pass plays, down from three.

"That's part of the creativity of the game," Malzahn said, according to Joel A. Erickson of AL.com. "I'm not into anything that takes the creativity out of the game. You know, you see a lot of coaches around the country, specifically high school coaches that are coaching in college, that's very important to them."

The rule was passed by the NCAA Football Rules Committee in February. The NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel will meet Thursday to decide whether or not to approve the proposed rule change.

"You know, that's been a rule that's been in place for a while, and you see a lot of offenses utilizing that," Malzahn said. "My whole deal is just make it a point of emphasis to start calling it if guys are downfield."