Thread: Verdict on all proposed rule changes

I know these have een discussed, but I didn't see any thread that listed the official decisions from the owners meetings. If this is already out there, please feel free to verbally abuse me. :wink:

Rules Changes approved by NFL Owners

Approved
* TD celebrations must involve staying on their feet, not using any playing apparatus as a prop (i.e. cradling the football like a baby, or climbing or rubbing against the goalpost), and not doing any group celebrations. In order to avoid slowing down the game, an official will determine when a celebration has gone on too long (at his discretion) and issue a warning for it to stop. If the warning is not heeded, the unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty will be called.
* A rushing defender cannot forcibly hit a passer who has one or both feet on the ground in the knee area or below, even if the initial contact is above the knee. It is not a foul if the defender is blocked (or fouled) into the passer and has no opportunity to avoid him.
* Down by contact now can be reviewed by instant replay. For instance, no longer will the ability to determine if a player was down before or after a fumble be nullified by a whistle.
* The time limit on replay reviews have been reduced from 90 to 60 seconds.
* Horse-collar tackling has been expanded to prohibit grabbing a ball carrier from behind by the inside of the jersey, as well as the shoulder pads.
* A defender no longer can line up directly across from the snapper on a field-goal attempt.
* Blocking in the back above the waist is no longer allowed by a member of the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a scrimmage kick.
* The first training-camp roster reduction this summer will be to 75 players. Previously, teams were allowed to keep 65, plus any player who played in NFL Europe for the cut after the third preseason game.

Rejected
* Allowing penalties to be reviewed by replay
* Providing a communication device so that a coach on the sidelines could speak to a defensive player the way an offensive coach is able to communicate with the quarterback
* Not calling a false-start penalty on a receiver who only flinches before a snap instead of crossing the line of scrimmage.

Tabled until the May meeting
* Expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams

* A rushing defender cannot forcibly hit a passer who has one or both feet on the ground in the knee area or below, even if the initial contact is above the knee. It is not a foul if the defender is blocked (or fouled) into the passer and has no opportunity to avoid him.

Horrible Rule Change

* Down by contact now can be reviewed by instant replay. For instance, no longer will the ability to determine if a player was down before or after a fumble be nullified by a whistle.

Horrible Rule Change

* A defender no longer can line up directly across from the snapper on a field-goal attempt.

Awesome Rule Change, Much Needed.



Rejected

* Providing a communication device so that a coach on the sidelines could speak to a defensive player the way an offensive coach is able to communicate with the quarterback

More proof the NFL wants a high flying offensive explosion of a show to sell to the masses.

* Down by contact now can be reviewed by instant replay. For instance, no longer will the ability to determine if a player was down before or after a fumble be nullified by a whistle.

Horrible Rule Change

Agree. The players are taught to stop immediately when the whistle blows. This is stupid.

Approved
* The time limit on replay reviews have been reduced from 90 to 60 seconds.

Thankfully. What the hell are they doing for 90 seconds? We've seen the play from every imaginable angle before the zebra even goes to review the play.

* Horse-collar tackling has been expanded to prohibit grabbing a ball carrier from behind by the inside of the jersey, as well as the shoulder pads.

I see no problem with grabbing the player from behind by the inside of the jersey. Grab the bastard and lay them out. Isn't that what it's all about?

Rejected

* Providing a communication device so that a coach on the sidelines could speak to a defensive player the way an offensive coach is able to communicate with the quarterback

Yep, what Del said.

I feel for the refs though, lot of stuff to remember when a decision is made in a fraction of a second.