More NFL Rule Changes

[651akathepaul]

At the latest meetings in Indianapolis, the owners took some time out from their anti-litigation propaganda and made a few important changes:

-- Defenders will no longer be penalized for collateral "grazing" of quarterbacks' helmets (a good move; we saw far too many ticky-tack penalties of this nature last season, and the NFL always defended the calls);

-- A 15-yard penalty will be enforced on anyone who leaves both his feet before contact to spring forward and upward into an opponent, delivering a blow to the helmet of his opponent with any part of his own helmet; and

-- The definition of a defenseless player was expanded to "those [players] throwing a pass; attempting or completing a catch without having time to ward off or avoid contact; a runner whose forward progress has been stopped by a tackler; kickoff or punt returners while the ball is in the air; kickers or punters during a kick or a return; a quarterback during a change of possession; a player who receives a blindside block from a blocker moving toward his own end zone."

In addition, the league has put forth the proposition that teams with multiple infractions (we may as well call this the "Pittsburgh Steelers Rule") will be dealt with more severely, with penalties up to and including the possible loss of draft picks.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...not-impressed-by-2011-NFL-rule?urn=nfl-wp2172


The only rule I think people will have issue with is the expanding of the defenseless player rule. Most specifically as it pertains to receivers now. Defenses trying to keep pace with the offense just got that much tougher.

The league will adapt as usual, and fundamental tackling will be more prevalant, but it definitely eases the game offensively when moving the ball. Owners essentially seem to want higher scoring and a protection of their biggest investments on the offensive side of the ball.

All in all I'm fine with everything right now. I think the health of the players is a very important issue and needs to be addressed, but when will the fans ultimately feel enough is enough, that the game just isn't the same anymore?

 

[651akathepaul]

At the latest meetings in Indianapolis, the owners took some time out from their anti-litigation propaganda and made a few important changes:

-- Defenders will no longer be penalized for collateral "grazing" of quarterbacks' helmets (a good move; we saw far too many ticky-tack penalties of this nature last season, and the NFL always defended the calls);

-- A 15-yard penalty will be enforced on anyone who leaves both his feet before contact to spring forward and upward into an opponent, delivering a blow to the helmet of his opponent with any part of his own helmet; and

-- The definition of a defenseless player was expanded to "those [players] throwing a pass; attempting or completing a catch without having time to ward off or avoid contact; a runner whose forward progress has been stopped by a tackler; kickoff or punt returners while the ball is in the air; kickers or punters during a kick or a return; a quarterback during a change of possession; a player who receives a blindside block from a blocker moving toward his own end zone."

In addition, the league has put forth the proposition that teams with multiple infractions (we may as well call this the "Pittsburgh Steelers Rule") will be dealt with more severely, with penalties up to and including the possible loss of draft picks.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...not-impressed-by-2011-NFL-rule?urn=nfl-wp2172


The only rule I think people will have issue with is the expanding of the defenseless player rule. Most specifically as it pertains to receivers now. Defenses trying to keep pace with the offense just got that much tougher.

The league will adapt as usual, and fundamental tackling will be more prevalant, but it definitely eases the game offensively when moving the ball. Owners essentially seem to want higher scoring and a protection of their biggest investments on the offensive side of the ball.

All in all I'm fine with everything right now. I think the health of the players is a very important issue and needs to be addressed, but when will the fans ultimately feel enough is enough, that the game just isn't the same anymore?

 

[alexgod]

turrible
oh well more offense

 

[alexgod]

turrible
oh well more offense

 

[651akathepaul]

Originally Posted by AlexGod

turrible
oh well more offense

Sums it up perfectly. Most people will hate the rules on paper, but will  love it when the games are being played.   

  

 

[651akathepaul]

Originally Posted by AlexGod

turrible
oh well more offense

Sums it up perfectly. Most people will hate the rules on paper, but will  love it when the games are being played.   

  

 

[wiseman299]

They are just trying to take peoples mind off of the lockout. The lock out doesn't make any sense, How are you going to ask your employees for a pay cut when you’re making more money than ever? Therefore I don't care about these current rule changes. The only rule change I'm mad about are the kick off changes, most kickoffs are now going to be a touchbacks. Sorry Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs you are probably going to be out of a job very soon.

 

[wiseman299]

They are just trying to take peoples mind off of the lockout. The lock out doesn't make any sense, How are you going to ask your employees for a pay cut when you’re making more money than ever? Therefore I don't care about these current rule changes. The only rule change I'm mad about are the kick off changes, most kickoffs are now going to be a touchbacks. Sorry Devin Hester and Josh Cribbs you are probably going to be out of a job very soon.