Football Four NFL Rule Changes Approved

**KcMizzou** · 03-24-2009, 07:50 PM

Hope this isn't a repost.

Quote:

Four Rule Changes Approved

DANA POINT, Calif.--The NFL's franchise owners approved four rule changes today related to player safety issues, including one that makes it illegal for a defensive player to hit a defenseless receiver in the head with a hit using the forearm or shoulder.

It already was illegal for a defender to deliver a helmet-to-helmet hit to a defenseless receiver. The new rule extends the protection given to the receiver who's in the act of catching the ball, also prohibiting hits to the receiver's helmet when the defender leads with his shoulder or delivers a forearm.

The rule change was recommended by the NFL's competition committee and was approved by at least three-quarters of the teams. The vote took place here today at the annual league meeting.

The owners also approved a rule giving similar protection to defenders, making it illegal for an offensive player to deliver a blindside block by using the helmet, shoulder or forearm to deliver a blow to a defensive player's head.

Two other safety-related rule changes that were approved apply to kickoffs and kickoff returns.

The kicking team now is prohibited from bunching too many players in the middle of the field, or on a single side of the field. That eliminates dangerous scrambles involving too many players on onside kicks.

The receiving team now is prohibited from using a blocking "wedge" of more than two players on a kickoff return.

Other rule changes proposed by the competition committee haven't been voted upon yet by the owners and remain pending.

One of them would expand the range of plays subject to instant replay review by making a fumble incorrectly ruled an incomplete pass initially subject to replay review.

That rule change would address the officiating gaffe made by referee Ed Hochuli in a game early this past season. Hochuli erroneously called a fumble by Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler an incomplete pass, negating a game-saving fumble recovery by the San Diego Chargers. Because the call was not subject to replay review, the Broncos retained possession of the ball and went on to score a touchdown and game-winning two-point conversion.

Under the proposed rule change, such a call could be reversed by instant replay and the defensive team could be awarded possession of the ball.

A vote on that proposal could come later today or Wednesday.

The competition committee enacted a change on its own to protect quarterbacks against low hits by defenders. As part of an officiating point of emphasis, the committee instructed officials to penalize any defensive player who lunges from the ground, after being knocked down by a blocker, and drives his head or shoulder into the quarterback's lower leg. It remains permissible for a defender to swipe at a quarterback's legs from the ground.

That change does not require a vote by the teams because it is an officiating point of emphasis, not a rule change. That move comes in the offseason after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury on a low hit in last year's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

http://views.washingtonpost.com/thel...-approved.html

**KcMizzou** · 03-24-2009, 07:56 PM

Might as well put 'em in skirts.

No wedges on kick return teams? And it sounds like they're trying to kill on-side kicks altogether.

The last part is just moronic and reactionary... Oh noes!!! The Golden Boy got hurt!!

Nice to hear that you can still lay prone on the ground and "swipe" with your arms. God forbid a football player actually try to tackle a QB.

**The Bad Guy** · 03-24-2009, 07:57 PM

I'm really ****ing getting tired of this shit.

keg in kc · 03-24-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Hope this isn't a repost.

Hold hope in one hand and reposts in the other, and see which fills up first.

**KcMizzou** · 03-24-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Hold hope in one hand and reposts in the other, and see which fills up first.

Well, shit.

**Gonzo** · 03-24-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Hold hope in one hand and reposts in the other, and see which fills up first.

**luv** · 03-24-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Well, shit.

If this is a repost, I missed the first one, too. Link anyone?

keg in kc · 03-24-2009, 08:10 PM

http://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=204696

**PHOG** · 03-24-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv

If this is a repost, I missed the first one, too. Link anyone?

Yup, so did I....What, is this the NEW Brady law?

**Bugeater** · 03-24-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KcMizzou

Well, shit.

MUSIC VIDEO TIME!

Dr. Johnny Fever · 03-24-2009, 08:54 PM

The competition committee enacted a change on its own to protect quarterbacks against low hits by defenders. As part of an officiating point of emphasis, the committee instructed officials to penalize any defensive player who lunges from the ground, after being knocked down by a blocker, and drives his head or shoulder into the quarterback's lower leg. It remains permissible for a defender to swipe at a quarterback's legs from the ground.

That change does not require a vote by the teams because it is an officiating point of emphasis, not a rule change. That move comes in the offseason after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury on a low hit in last year's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

If Pollard had hit Jon Kitna and knocked him out for the year this would have never been an issue.

**KcMizzou** · 03-24-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

If Pollard had hit Jon Kitna and knocked him out for the year this would have never been an issue.

No shit. Gotta protect the Golden Boy.

It's not that I have any particular dislike for Brady, either... it's just a huge double standard. The only other QB I could see them changing things for (based off of that play), would be Peyton Manning.

Anyone else? Meh, shit happens.

You didn't see any changes after Geathers destroyed Trent Green during a hook slide, for example.

58kcfan89 · 03-24-2009, 09:10 PM

Last I checked, football was a contact sport. In contact sports, injuries happen, good teams deal with it. The way they're going, the NFL will turn into a bigger Arena League where the defense can't touch the offense and 50+ points will happen for each team every game.

Nothing against arena ball, I like it, but it's not even close to the NFL.

splatbass · 03-24-2009, 09:12 PM

The kicking team now is prohibited from bunching too many players in the middle of the field, or on a single side of the field. That eliminates dangerous scrambles involving too many players on onside kicks.

The receiving team now is prohibited from using a blocking "wedge" of more than two players on a kickoff return.

That's some stupid shit right there.

boogblaster · 03-24-2009, 10:02 PM

Nothin like the old days ... Im sad ....

03-24-2009, 07:56 PM	#2
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	Might as well put 'em in skirts. No wedges on kick return teams? And it sounds like they're trying to kill on-side kicks altogether. The last part is just moronic and reactionary... Oh noes!!! The Golden Boy got hurt!! Nice to hear that you can still lay prone on the ground and "swipe" with your arms. God forbid a football player actually try to tackle a QB.
Posts: 54,695

03-24-2009, 07:57 PM	#3
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9373645	I'm really ****ing getting tired of this shit. __________________
Posts: 23,212

03-24-2009, 08:10 PM	#8
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	http://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=204696
Posts: 58,682

03-24-2009, 08:54 PM	#11
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	The competition committee enacted a change on its own to protect quarterbacks against low hits by defenders. As part of an officiating point of emphasis, the committee instructed officials to penalize any defensive player who lunges from the ground, after being knocked down by a blocker, and drives his head or shoulder into the quarterback's lower leg. It remains permissible for a defender to swipe at a quarterback's legs from the ground. That change does not require a vote by the teams because it is an officiating point of emphasis, not a rule change. That move comes in the offseason after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady suffered a season-ending knee injury on a low hit in last year's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. If Pollard had hit Jon Kitna and knocked him out for the year this would have never been an issue.
Posts: 34,865

03-24-2009, 09:10 PM	#13
58kcfan89 Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10003187	Last I checked, football was a contact sport. In contact sports, injuries happen, good teams deal with it. The way they're going, the NFL will turn into a bigger Arena League where the defense can't touch the offense and 50+ points will happen for each team every game. Nothing against arena ball, I like it, but it's not even close to the NFL.
Posts: 2,252

03-24-2009, 09:12 PM	#14
splatbass MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Casino cash: $6630560	The kicking team now is prohibited from bunching too many players in the middle of the field, or on a single side of the field. That eliminates dangerous scrambles involving too many players on onside kicks. The receiving team now is prohibited from using a blocking "wedge" of more than two players on a kickoff return. That's some stupid shit right there.
Posts: 10,064

03-24-2009, 10:02 PM	#15
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	Nothin like the old days ... Im sad .... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305