New Rules for 2010 (or... the pussification of football)

[Ugly Duck]

Bad news for rabid headhunter types launching themselves at offensive players:

Starting this year, it will be illegal to hit any ‘defenseless’ player if the initial force of the contact with a players’ helmet, shoulder or forearm is to the head or neck area. The following players are considered ‘defenseless’ and will be protected: A quarterback in the act of passing, a receiver in the act of making a catch, a kick/punt returner in the act of catching a kick/punt, a runner who is ‘in the grasp’ and who’s forward progress has been stopped, a player on the ground at the end of the play, a QB after a change of possession and a kicker/punter after the ball is kicked. Violations of the rule can result in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and potential discipline by the league.

If a receiver has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself, a defensive player is prohibited from launching into him in a way that causes the defensive players’ helmet, facemask, shoulder or forearm to forcibly strike the receiver in the head or neck area. A “launch” is defined as leaving your feet to spring forward and upward into an opponent. Hits such as these will result in a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty and potential discipline by the league. If the receiver has the ball long enough to protect himself or the defender does not launch himself as part of the hit, it is not a foul.

After a valid fair catch signal, the opportunity to catch a kick does not end if the ball if muffed. The player who signaled for the fair catch must have a reasonable opportunity to catch the muffed kick before it hits the ground without interference from the kicking team players.

Each team must have the opportunity to posses the ball once in overtime. However, if the team that wins the coin toss scores a touchdown on their initial possession, the game is over. If the team that wins the coin toss scores a field goal on their initial possession, the game is not over. Their opponent much be given an opportunity to possess the ball. If the score remains tied after both teams have been given the opportunity to posses the ball, the game continues under normal ‘sudden death’ rules. (Postseason only)

The use of abusive, threatening or insulting language or gestures directed at an opponent or the opposing teams’ bench is considered taunting. This is a foul under NFL playing rules and a 15-yard penalty will be assessed for unsportsmanlike conduct.

NFL Officials Visit Redskins Park – New Rules for 2010 Explained

[C-Mac]

Originally Posted by milkman

That is incorrect.

It only last year that the Chiefs lost a recovery, and were penalized for interference on a "muffed" punt that a returner bobbled, was hit after the bobble.

I think the penalty was that his "catching space" was intruded on. Do you remember the game?

[MMXcalibur]

Can't wait for NFL games to reflect Arena Football scores.

I think the "muffed punt" rule is f**kin' bullshit. A "reasonable opportunity"? You HAD a reasonable opportunity to secure the ball before you dicked it up!

[JohnnyV13]

Obviously, the big concern is concussions.

With all the new evidence coming out about the long term effects of concussions, the NFL has to do something. Otherwise, they'd get raped in a class action suit by former players (and they still might).

[Ugly Duck]

Originally Posted by KC111110

I still have a problem with the fact that the refs look the other way when certain teams do these things, it's close to ridiculous as to how obvious it has gotten as of late.

I hear ya. I wonder if stuff like "A quarterback in the act of passing, a receiver in the act of making a catch, a runner who is ‘in the grasp’ and who’s forward progress has been stopped, a player on the ground at the end of the play, and a receiver that has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself" will mean the same thing for Indy, Denver & NE as it will for Oakland, KC & Baltimore.

[BigMeatballDave]

Awesome. Goodell should go ahead and change his tampon...

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Red Brooklyn

4. I don't understand the negative connotation surrounding "pussifaction." Don't most of you guys like - nay - love pussy? Frankly, I wish more things were as awesome as pussy. We should be "pussifying" everything!

Pussy = Wimp. Wuss. Coward. NOT Vagina, in this case.

[Dayze]

if i'm a defender, I'm launchign myself directly into their knees.

[Lonewolf Ed]

Originally Posted by Red Brooklyn

1. The contact rules are fine. I understand the trepidation, however.

2. New overtime rule sounds sexy. I like it (in theory, at least).

3. How often do we imagine these language rules are reeeeeally going to be enforced?

4. I don't understand the negative connotation surrounding "pussifaction." Don't most of you guys like - nay - love pussy? Frankly, I wish more things were as awesome as pussy. We should be "pussifying" everything!

With the language rule, it only has to happen once to the team you are rooting for before it will be an outrageous, stupid rule. Think if it happens to the Chiefs after they stop Denver on 4th and 2, let's say... and someone disses one of the Denver linemen for trying to take out his knees. Out comes a yellow flag, Denver is awarded a first down, and the crowd goes wild...

How are you supposed to get in a guy's head and make him sloppy now? Hey, you! Yeah, you! Your mama is... a very fine human being and I admire and respect her immensely! Carry on.

[Micjones]

Why should a returnman get another opportunity to secure a ball he muffed initially?
That's ridiculous.

Fielding the punt in the first place is an option.
If you opt to catch it...it's your job to bring it in clean.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Why should a returnman get another opportunity to secure a ball he muffed initially?
That's ridiculous.

Fielding the punt in the first place is an option.
If you opt to catch it...it's your job to bring it in clean.

Couldn't agree more.

Hell, by the time my nephews are my age, the contact will be completely removed from the game.

Can't have anyone getting hurt.

[milkman]

Here's a new rule I wasn't aware of.

When a ball carrier loses his helmet, the play will be whistled dead, and the ball spotted at the spot he lost his helmet.

[Ugly Duck]

Originally Posted by milkman

Here's a new rule I wasn't aware of.

When a ball carrier loses his helmut, the play will be whistled dead, and the ball spotted at the spot he lost his helmut.

So if you can't tackle a guy, just yank his helmet off....

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

So if you can't tackle a guy, just yank his helmet off....

Sounds about right.

[Dayze]

another step in making the NFL the most lame sport on TV (ok, now really....that's reserved for baseball).

JFC....how/where can defenders hit opposing players. I can 'barely' understand the QB rulles (ie...never touch them), but JFC how is a defender supposed to 'defend'.

receivers gotta make that call - "do I want to catch this pass".

If i'm a defender I'm nailing every offensive player in the knees. Only a matter of tiem before the defenders can only tackle the equivalent of a 'strikezone'.

...ratcheting up the reason for people to watch something other than NFL. JFC>

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Ugly Duck

So if you can't tackle a guy, just yank his helmet off....

Well, provided you don't mind the associated 15-yard penalty.