NFL meeting: rules, changes, replacing tags.

[That Guy]

NFL | Main topic for NFL meeting is replacing Tagliabue
Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:00:30 -0800
The Associated Press reports the main topic at the NFL owner's meeting next week will be the first steps in choosing a successor to current commissioner Paul Tagliabue. The commissioner will appoint a committee Monday to begin the process.

NFL | League to re-visit horse collar rule
Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:59:11 -0800
The Associated Press reports the NFL is going to look at a proposal that expands the rule put in place last year against "horse collar" tackles. That violation mandated flags only when a defensive player coming from behind got his hands inside the shoulder pads of a player with the ball. If it is expanded, it would extend that to tackles inside the shirt.

NFL | League to once again look at number of playoff teams
Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:57:36 -0800
The Associated Press reports the NFL is once again going to consider an annual proposal from the Kansas City Chiefs to expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams. He said there was more interest in it this year, although Atlanta general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's competition committee, stopped short of saying the committee would recommend it.

NFL | League to fine tune some rules
Wed, 22 Mar 2006 15:50:16 -0800
The Associated Press reports the NFL is satisfied with their officiating, but they are concerned some calls in the playoffs left a bad impression with the fans. To that end, the league will tweak a few rules, dealing mostly with player safety, offensive holding and false starts. In the 256 games during the past regular season, there were 850 false-start calls. To cut that number, the rules committee is ready to recommend that minor flinches by wide receivers be ignored if they have no effect on the play. The committee also is considering recommending to officials that they make sure there was holding on a play before throwing a flag. The committee also wants to change the rule on hits by defenders below the knee on quarterbacks. McKay said defensive players will be told they must make an effort to avoid hitting QBs in the legs to avoid serious injuries.





Horse collar expansion to being under the shirt as well under the shoulders is A Good Idea (c). Roy williams still does this every play and portis got sent to the sidelines for at least a few plays because of it. It still poses an unecessary injury risk to other players.

I don't see how you can avoid hitting a QB low if your choice is either hit low or let him complete a pass/run past you. A good will gesture rule without any way to enforce it is worthless.

and again with the expanded playoffs... the last thing i think anyone wants to see is 7-9 teams in the postseason on a regular basis, or sending an entire division into the playoffs. No thanks.



Anyone else have any thoughts on the proposals they're looking at?