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?

[MTK]

How many times did we see Portis get dragged and wrenched to the ground by the back of his jersey last year??!! I'm all in favor for expanding the horse collar.

[jamf]

The committee also is considering recommending to officials that they make sure there was holding on a play before throwing a flag.

WTF!!! i guess that explains alot....

Horse coller rule, i like.

The playoff team expansion, i dont like. if 9-7 teams are getting in, there are too many playoff teams already...

[That Guy]

NFL | League to vote on helmet radio rule
Wed, 22 Mar 2006 17:32:18 -0800

Pat Yasinskas, of the Charlotte Observer, reports Atlanta Falcons general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's competition committee, said Wednesday. March 22, teams will vote on a proposal to allow defensive players to wear radio helmets, similar to the coach-to-quarterback helmets used by offenses. McKay said concerns about teams stealing hand signals have led to the proposal. If approved, a defensive coach would be able to talk to one defensive player through the radio. Each team would have to designate before the game which player will wear the radio helmet. That player is the only one who can wear the helmet during the game. If that player is injured, teams would have to go back to using hand signals.


weird. might as well, i guess.

[Redskins8588]

I don't think that they should add 2 more teams to the playoffs, I understand that it will be 7 from the afc and nfc but 14 teams is only 2 shy of half of the league making the playoffs... I agree with the 7-9 argument also, it is bad enough when 8-8 teams make the playoffs...

I think that they need to adjust the horse coller rule, and why not let the defenses use the radio helmet? I mean fair is fair right?!?!

[That Guy]

NFL | Tampa Bay submits replay rule change
Wed, 22 Mar 2006 20:27:16 -0800

Ira Kaufman, of the Tampa Tribune, reports the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have submitted a proposal that will be considered by league owners meeting in Orlando next week that would expand the scope of instant replay to include all penalties. "We're offering the suggestion that all penalties that are called should fall within the realm of instant replay," Bucs general manager Bruce Allen said. "We suggest any penalties that are called be subject to review. After reviewing hundreds of plays, we feel it's time to expand on instant replay, since we have a system in place."

I agree. how many times did you want to challenge pass interference (which can easily be a 60 yard penalty)? stick with the 2 + 1 challenge rule and just expand your ability to challenge any ruling.

[Paintrain]

One thing I'd like to see them not call holding or block in the back on punts and kickoffs if it doesn't affect the play.. Calling holding when it doesn't have any impact on the outcome of the play is worthless.

[dmek25]

no to challenging every penalty.slowing down the game too much.no to the expanded playoffs.yes to the horse collar rule.good jesture in trying to address the low hits on the qback,but no because if you avoid hitting him,then you turn into flag football.and why not let the defensive player thats calling the defenses have a radio,just like the qback?

[NAVYSKINSFAN]

I like the idea of expanding instant replay. Why can't the replay booth get quick about their jobs and start revewing every call as soon as the flag is thrown. Then if there is a big play like a 60 yard pass interference they can take a little extra time.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by dmek25

no to challenging every penalty.slowing down the game too much.

how would it slow the game down too much? teams only get 2 challenges currently, and that wouldn't change. So the total challenge time wouldn't be any different than before.

[Sociofan]

Originally Posted by That Guy

how would it slow the game down too much? teams only get 2 challenges currently, and that wouldn't change. So the total challenge time wouldn't be any different than before.

No, I disagree with using challenges for penalty replays, but I like the idea of reviewing some of the penalties. I recall a few holding penalties last year that took the Skins completely out of a scoring drive. And often, when you go back and watch the replay, it was just a lineman getting a better push on the defender and knocking him to the ground. So much for being a big strong lineman. Holding calls are drive killers and the call is made way too frequently.

I'd also like to see if there is a way to review deep passing penalties. Both illegal contact and pushing off by the receiver. There were a lot of phantom calls in that area as well. I think it is just because at top speed, it's tough for the official to keep up and get a good view of the play. Replay can help that one. Those are big plays for teams and they need to be right.

As for slowing down the game, make them a 30 second review. Most recording is digital these days and it does not require a minute to queue up and start a review. It can be nearly instantaneous. Maybe I wouldn't be so big on all this, but it just seems that the Skins have had more than their share of piss-poor calls going against them in recent years.

[MonkFan4Life]

I'm all for replays on pass interference but holding leave it be. Just have the ref's be more attentive when they're watching the plays develop. I know things are moving 100mph but it's your job homie, I understand there will be mistakes but hey New England got their first Super Bowl after a rule was made up to save Tom Brady. That is one of the reasons the Patriots are high on my most hated teams list. The horse collar rule is some bull-ish because they never call it, the tv crew never call the ref's on it, and without that Roy Williams would be an average safety. I swear he is OVERRATED. Anyway I've seen Clinton dragged down like that and it's never called, they ALWAYS have excuses for it being done to him but it's a travishamokery when it's done by Sean "The Executioner" Taylor the NFL should suspend him.

Oh how I love to be a Redskins fan. It's so F'n fun !

[dmek25]

what the refs dont understand yet is,they should be holding onto their penalty flags and whistles and not using/blowing them until the last possible second to be 100% positive about what they are seeing.that way there is no longer "whistle has blown,play over"on fumbles,the whistle should never blow prematurely,letting the play go and THEN going back to the replay if needed.if you go to replay on all penalties,you are using the refs interpretation of a call,in theory will take longer because of the pressures to get the call right.in my opinion,replay works ok the way it is

[PWNED]

Originally Posted by Sociofan

No, I disagree with using challenges for penalty replays, but I like the idea of reviewing some of the penalties. I recall a few holding penalties last year that took the Skins completely out of a scoring drive. And often, when you go back and watch the replay, it was just a lineman getting a better push on the defender and knocking him to the ground. So much for being a big strong lineman. Holding calls are drive killers and the call is made way too frequently.

I'd also like to see if there is a way to review deep passing penalties. Both illegal contact and pushing off by the receiver. There were a lot of phantom calls in that area as well. I think it is just because at top speed, it's tough for the official to keep up and get a good view of the play. Replay can help that one. Those are big plays for teams and they need to be right.

As for slowing down the game, make them a 30 second review. Most recording is digital these days and it does not require a minute to queue up and start a review. It can be nearly instantaneous. Maybe I wouldn't be so big on all this, but it just seems that the Skins have had more than their share of piss-poor calls going against them in recent years.

holding is one of those things where if they didnt see it on the person in question, theyd see it on someone else int he view. EVERYONE does it.

speaking of which, there should be no review on PI. its WAY too subjective.

[backrow]

Originally Posted by dmek25

what the refs dont understand yet is,they should be holding onto their penalty flags and whistles and not using/blowing them

Three suggestions:

1. Abolish replay
2. Profesionalize the Referee/Umpires jobs.
3. Avoid clock stopages except for TOs and TV TOs. Do away with the incomplete pass - clock stopages!

Speed the game up a little! (Reminds me of Lucy & Ethel in the Candy Factory!)