Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal provided the full list of the 10 approved rule changes: nine proposed by the NFL Competition Committee and one by the AFC North’s Baltimore Ravens.
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These two rule changes have stirred up some backlash from many National Football League players and coaches, including Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, who criticized National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell on his knowledge of the game. The new rule will automatically eject any player who is flagged for two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in one game. So I think it’s an effort to take our game somewhere to see how it’s accepted by the fans in Asia, which is a little more of a challenge because of the distance.
“They’re going to get the reverse of what they want”, another coordinator said. The owners also voted to ban all chop blocks and expand the definition of what now will be an illegal horse-collar tackle. The experimental path is something the National Football League is becoming more and more privy to trying – last year, the owners agreed to move extra point snaps to the 15-yard line for the 2015 season, a rule which was permanently adopted this week. By discouraging return teams from taking the ball out of the end zone, the league is discouraging kicking teams from ever putting it in the end zone to begin with.
The unsportsmanlike conduct rule will be the most controversial of the changes, and it is one that could have a big impact on games.
If the rule makes a touchback more appealing to the receiving team, that means it becomes less appealing to the kicking team.
A large portion of the discussion thus far has been on the return team’s decision given the new kickoff rules.
The horse collar rule has been expanded to include when a defensive player grabs a jersey at or above the name plate and pulls the ballcarrier to the ground. Kelly asked. “Why the two orders?”
A return to the 20-yard line was roughly the break even point for balls kicked to the end zone.
Another one-year trial will be implemented for touchbacks – the ball will be placed on the 25-yard line instead of the 20-yard line.
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The NFL is moving toward removing the play from the game completely yet coaches will tell you it’s one way to develop younger players. “We feel it’s going to have the intended effect that if I get one I have to walk away from this potential confrontation versus engaging”. Carpenter is going to have to improve his accuracy because if he misses another six extra points he will be looking for a new job.
