Rule changes that passed

[MTK]

Link: ESPN - Owners table re-seeding playoffs proposal; pass other rules - NFL

Among the proposals that were passed:

• A recommendation to eliminate force-out decisions on pass completions near the sidelines. Now, officials will only have to decide whether a receiver landed inbounds or not. The intended result is more consistency.

• The "Phil Dawson field goal rule." Now, certain field goals can be reviewed by instant replay, including kicks that bounce off the uprights. Under the previous system, no field goals could be reviewed.

• Deferring the opening coin toss. This is similar to the college rule. Previously, the winner of the coin toss could only choose to receive or to kick off.

• A direct snap from center that goes backward will now be treated as a fumble. Previously, it was ruled a false start.

• Eliminating the 5-yard face mask penalty. Now, only the serious face mask will be called (and will be assessed as a 15-yard penalty). The major foul will involve twisting or grabbing the face mask.

[skinsfan_nn]

Didn't the one defensive player also gets communication to the sideline get passed also.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Link: ESPN - Owners table re-seeding playoffs proposal; pass other rules - NFL

Among the proposals that were passed:

• A recommendation to eliminate force-out decisions on pass completions near the sidelines. Now, officials will only have to decide whether a receiver landed inbounds or not. The intended result is more consistency.

• The "Phil Dawson field goal rule." Now, certain field goals can be reviewed by instant replay, including kicks that bounce off the uprights. Under the previous system, no field goals could be reviewed.

• Deferring the opening coin toss. This is similar to the college rule. Previously, the winner of the coin toss could only choose to receive or to kick off.

• A direct snap from center that goes backward will now be treated as a fumble. Previously, it was ruled a false start.

• Eliminating the 5-yard face mask penalty. Now, only the serious face mask will be called (and will be assessed as a 15-yard penalty). The major foul will involve twisting or grabbing the face mask.

One more, and Coach Zorn voted against this rule.

Recap of League Meetings

On Tuesday, the owners approved a communication device in the helmet of one defensive player.
One defensive player will wear a helmet similar to what the quarterback is allowed on offense. Should that player leave the game, a teammate can be designated to also have the device. But only one defender with the device can be on the field at a time.
As for the defensive communications device, the vote was 25-7 in favor (24 yes votes were required) and all seven negatives came from head coaches with offensive backgrounds.

[SeanTaylor21]

Originally Posted by skinsfan_nn

One more, and Coach Zorn voted against this rule.

Recap of League Meetings

On Tuesday, the owners approved a communication device in the helmet of one defensive player.
One defensive player will wear a helmet similar to what the quarterback is allowed on offense. Should that player leave the game, a teammate can be designated to also have the device. But only one defender with the device can be on the field at a time.
As for the defensive communications device, the vote was 25-7 in favor (24 yes votes were required) and all seven negatives came from head coaches with offensive backgrounds.

Good for defense, will be easier play calling. Who will get it on our defense, London Fletcher?

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by SeanTaylor21

Good for defense, will be easier play calling. Who will get it on our defense, London Fletcher?

I also like the rule. Especially when playing home games I could see this possibly being helpful to a degree.

I would certainly think FLETCH he is the Captain of our defense.

[lwiedy]

Couple things, the changing the force out rule without giving some “compensation” to the receiver (how about one foot in bounds, a la NCAA) will hurt receivers. What about if a DB was able to carry a receiver coming down out of bounds? The wording implies that that would be ok and that would be stupid.

On the facemask penalty, where was the outcry for this? Does this mean that ALL grabbing the mask is 15 yards or only the more egregious? This will be far more difficult for officials since there is an all or nothing element to something that if they weren’t quite sure there would be at least some penalty.

They just can’t keep from screwing around with things that aren’t broken, IMO.

[Redskin]

Originally Posted by lwiedy

Couple things, the changing the force out rule without giving some “compensation” to the receiver (how about one foot in bounds, a la NCAA) will hurt receivers. What about if a DB was able to carry a receiver coming down out of bounds? The wording implies that that would be ok and that would be stupid.

On the facemask penalty, where was the outcry for this? Does this mean that ALL grabbing the mask is 15 yards or only the more egregious? This will be far more difficult for officials since there is an all or nothing element to something that if they weren’t quite sure there would be at least some penalty.

They just can’t keep from screwing around with things that aren’t broken, IMO.

The facemask clearly says twisting and grabbing. I like this rule becuase offense wont get lucky breaks becuase a tackler accidently put a hand on the mask.

[hooskins]

WTF does deferring a coin toss mean?

[skinsguy]

The force out rule is kind of iffy in my opinion. So are they saying the receiver has to clearly be coming down in bounce? Are they basically saying there is no more force out rule established? If so, DB's certainly have an edge now. I guess it's ok though. I mean most of the rule changes have been for the WR's. About time they paid attention to the defense.

[lwiedy]

Originally Posted by Redskin

The facemask clearly says twisting and grabbing. I like this rule becuase offense wont get lucky breaks becuase a tackler accidently put a hand on the mask.

When is it NOT done accidently? This is not one of those ancient rules that finally the league is catching up with, the rule originally was 15 yards only and they added the 5 maybe 25 years ago.

There will have to be some that used to get fives that will be upped to 15 (which will be an automatic 1st down) and if that happens in a critical situation, just wait for the outcry. Or an official will swallow the whistle because he's not sure and miss the call entirely.

The point is, with replay (which this is not reviewable) there are going to be increased second guessing BOTH ways whereas before, there was an option when the evidence is not quite clear.

[firstdown]

• Deferring the opening coin toss. This is similar to the college rule. Previously, the winner of the coin toss could only choose to receive or to kick off.

What are the other choices to start with? Either you pick to kick or receive.

[saden1]

Deferring the opening coin toss:

You let the other team decide what to do with the ball.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by saden1

Deferring the opening coin toss:

You let the other team decide what to do with the ball.

Basically if you are to much of a vag and you can't make a decision you let the other team.

[SmootSmack]

I believe what it means is you let the other team decide what to do in the in the beginning of the game and then you decide the start of the 2nd half. Usually the team that receives in the first half, kickoffs to start the second.

But that wouldn't neccesarily be the case here. Theoretically you could kickoff or receive twice. By deferring until the 2nd half you have the opportunity to get a sense of the flow of the game, weather conditions, etc. And then make your decision then.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I believe what it means is you let the other team decide what to do in the in the beginning of the game and then you decide the start of the 2nd half. Usually the team that receives in the first half, kickoffs to start the second.

But that wouldn't neccesarily be the case here. Theoretically you could kickoff or receive twice. By deferring until the 2nd half you have the opportunity to get a sense of the flow of the game, weather conditions, etc. And then make your decision then.

hmm, or if you playing a team like the Bears, you might want to kick to them twice because their offense may give better field position rather than going against their D. Interesting.