Going to be honest, I've never really understood why "offsetting" penalties aren't at bare minimum calculated for the difference - it seems kinda ridiculous to me that a 15-yard penalty can be offset by a 5-yard or 10 yard one, for instance.
Similarly for "overhauls" I think the way that "half the distance to the goal" is handled is kind of odd. If you're on offense at your own 10-yard line and get called for a hold, it effectively turns what is typically a 10-yard penalty into a 5-yard one. Do it again and it's a 2.5-yard penalty. I dunno, call me crazy, but I'd do away with "half the distance" entirely.
Primarily a thought exercise since the NFL wouldn't do anything.
Would agree with the calculation on the offset. Of course some fans wouldn't like that there is math involved suddenly.
The assess the full up to the goal line I can see why they don't do it. You are essentially pushing the ball to the 1. Not sure I'd want the offense on the 6, Defense does offsides then moves to the 1. Would almost need to see the numbers on how many times that would happen to judge impact.
I'd almost wish that if the D is assessed half the distance then if the offense commits a penalty in that series of downs then that one is assessed 1/2 to counter the D's half. O is on the 6, D does an offsides goes from 6 to 3. Then next play, offense has illegal motion (5 yards) so goes from 3 back to 6. Right now, D can commit and infinite number of penalties to get the ball no closer than an inch away from the goal line, but O does a holding call its moved 10 yards.
