What Rules Would You Change?
 

If you were on the rules committee, what rules would you consider changing to improve the game?

Here's my list:

1) OPI or DPI is a 10 yard penalty from where the ball is snapped. No automatic first down, no spot fouls.

2) Concussion Protocol: If refs determine you target and hit a guy in the head, and he is removed from the game for concussion protocol, it's a 15 yard penalty, plus the player who commits the target is disqualified for as long as the targeted player is out. For example, if he misses the rest of the game, the guy who laid the hit is out for the game. If he's out two weeks, they guy who hit him is out two weeks, etc. Plus a game check is forfeited by the hitter for that game, and every game the targeted player is out.

3) Illegal contact. Five yard penalty, but no automatic first down.

4) Two personal fouls in one game, ejection, loss of paycheck from that game, suspension and loss of paycheck for the next game. This would include the playoffs.

5) Extra point moved from the 15 to the 25 yard line. If you want to go for two, ball is placed at the five yard line.

All paychecks that are lost: funds go to CTE Research.

How about you? What would you change?

Clarify the catch rule. What is a catch?
If the ground cannot cause a fumble, maybe it should not on a catch too.

#1 wouldn't work. 3rd and 20 and you're getting burnt for a TD? Commit DPI and just take the 10 yards.

Or, third and twenty chuck the ball forty yards down field and get a DPI on Phillip Gaines. It's not working the way it is now, that's for sure.

Other way will be worse. Will be DPI every other pass. Teams will end up doing the dink and dunk to try and get blockers ahead and get YAC instead of getting there 30-40 yard throws turned into 10 every time.

Those deep balls we love? Yea gone.

I'd change the rules that the refs can't intentionally call games in favor of one team to "fix" the outcome of games.

Make it so you can review every call. If a player fumbles but was "marked down", if the review is ruled a fumble, then it's a God Damn fumble.

That and if a call gets reversed due to a review, a player of the teams choosing that almost got screwed over gets one penalty kick in the nuts on an official of their choosing.

I would change the rule that says we cannot murder a referee after blatantly ****ing your team. I'm looking at you, Jeff.

Id run the Mafia out of the game.

You must not watch a lot of football. It’s time the fans to start paying more attention. I knew right away Jesse James didn’t catch that pass. It’s pretty clear if you ask me.

Referees are graded throughout the season. Anything below a certain threshold disqualifies them from officiating in the playoffs and back-to-back seasons under the specified threshold disqualifies from being officials. Also, **** Tripplette.

That would never work. It leaves it too much to chance. Come on man, it shouldn’t matter if a team plays better on that particular day. :D

I like all those ideas... #2 is interesting. What if they player had a career ending concussion?

DPI is messed up right now... but, I don't think 10 yards is the answer.

I never understood the intentional grounding rule.

Between the tackles, it's illegal to just launch the ball OB, but it's ok if you are outside the tackle box and the pass makes it back the line of scrimmage. Bull shit.

IMO, the rule should be that any pass that is not in the general area of an eligible receiver is grounding. Period.

This! I hate that bullcrap. Russel Wilson gets away with one or two of these every game.

Oh, here's another one. Illegal hands to the face. Why is it legal for a ball carrier to push a defender away by stiff arming him in the face mask?

Offensive linemen can't do that to a defender and vice versa.

Holding should only be a 5 yard penalty. The current 10 yard rule ruins drives for most offenses.

The time allowed for an instant replay of any sort is 30 seconds, and all replays will be shown at full speed. None of this "did the ball move a millimeter when he hit the ground" bullshit.

all plays reviewed from a booth? ala Big 10?

I suppose I can see both sides. Just seems like we get victimized by this more than most teams.

That is like saying you want to get rid of instant replay.

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Those.

I'm going to go the opposite.

I want to hear his explanation and I want a god damn picture of what the **** they're talking about. The ball moved? Then you'd better be able to show me where and when. Not just say that it was overturned and then not give me a reason.

All players will be mic'ed up. If taunting is called, it will be reviewed by the "TJ" the "taunting judge" in the booth. If the taunting is epic and cuts to the quick, then it will be allowed. If its lame, 15 yards will be enforced and the player must not remove his mouth guard for the duration of the game.

They can just get rid of taunting all together. Are these grown men or 2nd graders? I can understand derogatory terms not being allowed but ****ing pointing at someone is ****ing bullshit.

If taunting is used on the field, it must only be lifted from Monty Python's Holy Grail movie. Otherwise, it's a 15 yard penalty.

Oh, and that picture is the on field hand signal the ref's must use to signify "Personal Foul: Taunting."

The rules are fine.

They way they are called is garbage.


Get rid of the holding call, but force olinemen to wear mittens. It is the single most abused part of the game that isn’t even close to being called even.

I think the refs/NFL are too reluctant to eject players. I would add a rule that for an egregious personal foul, the ref can eject a player for say 15 minutes of game time. During that period, the NFL office reviews the situation and decides whether the player can return to the game after the 15 minute rule.

I'm ok with the player that caused a concussion (on an illegal hit) having to sit out. It still is not perfect. Most teams would trade losing a safety of linebacker to get Gronk out of the game.

And it should always be a spot foul.

I tried to get Todd Haley to wear mittens. He refused.

I still think that there should be two versions. If the DB very clearly interferes and it is likely the receiver could have made the catch, spot foul. When the interference is murkier and/or the catchability is murkier, make it 5 yard foul and no automatic first down.

I think other fouls should also have two versions. There are too many 15 yard roughing the passer fouls. For the less serious ones, hand accidentally hits the QB's helmet, I would allow the refs to call a 5 yard version that does not have an automatic first down.

Can you confidently say that instant replay has improved the game? I sure can't.

I would get rid of the fumble into the endzone is a touchback. I think it would be better to let the offense keep it where the fumble occurred. Alternately, a buddy of mine suggested that if fumbing into the endzone is a turnover, fumbling out of bounds should also be a turnover. So if the offense loses the ball and it goes out of bounds with no one controlling it, it is a turnover. I'm not sure if I would like it, but it did make me think a bit.

Under 2 minutes in each half, I would have the clock stop until the ref has set the ball and gotten out of the way. I don't think the game should depend on how quickly some grey haired dude can pick the ball up, run over and set it, and then get out of the way.

Just get rid of the extra point kick. When a TD is scored, it is 7 points. Go to commercial break while the TD is reviewed, and unless it is not a TD or the teams wants to go for 2, the kickoff happens as soon as commercial break is over.

Team can alternately take the 6 points and go for 2.

Penalties against an offense that currently result in a half the distance to the goal administration is instead administered by adding 5 yards to the line to gain.

"Pulling him to the ground" as is currently spelled out in the definition of holding can only trigger a holding penalty if the player is not on his own two feet or in the process of going to ground as a consequence of any legal block he may have carried out.

Defensive holding administered on passing play if a defender makes contact with an eligible receiver more than five yards past the line of scrimmage if a legal forward pass is attempted and that legal forward pass is thrown in the area between the center of the goal post and nearest sideline in which the foul is committed.

Defensive pass interference can be called if :

a) an eligible receiver's arms are grasped and impeded from being moved from outside the frame of his own torso when a legal forward pass is thrown in an area where it is assumed he could have made a fair move toward the ball had he not been clearly grasped by the defender and the defensive player does not make contact with the ball before touching the receiver.

b) an eligible receiver is driven to the ground by the arms, shoulders or upper body of a defender if both players are more than five yards past the line of scrimmage and a legal forward pass is thrown to the area between the center of the goal post and the nearest sideline in which the foul is committed

c) [insert anything that is palpably obvious ****ery by a defensive player]

Make calls like DPI challengable. It's too big of a call to just let the ref go, "Well, I THINK I saw something."

All plays should be reviewable. And there should be an official watching on TV just like all of us who see the uncalled shit that can call it.

Also, referees should be held accountable for horrible calls, and actually FIRED if they go full Tripplette.

Of course none of that will ever happen, because obviously if the Patriots continue to win all is well. :whackit:

I would eliminate the practice squad, expand the roster to 65 and get rid of the stupid, outdated inactive rule. It would allow a team to play and develop fringe players in the event of a blowout and would allow an adequate number of backups.

Also, I would keep DPI a spot foul but make it automatically reviewed by an independent judge. Same with targeting or unnecessary roughness penalties.

They also need to add more cameras. There is no excuse in this day and age to not have an adequate view on a review, especially goal line or sideline.

#1 - De-emphasize any rule that barely affects the game. As in, practically eliminate them. Taunting, excessive celebration, unsportsmanlike conduct that doesn't involve fighting or delay. Take the subjective bullshit out of this sport.

#2 - I'm with you on OPI/Defensive holding rules. I'd also like rules committee to de-emphasize DPI in general - it's been incredibly controversial

#3 - An NFL version of the targeting rule. If you lead with your helmet, ONLY IF you knock another player out, defensive player should be booted too. Bounty hunting is really bad for the game

#4 - Change the ridiculous rule around calling fumbles out of the end zone touchbacks

New CP Lexicon: "That call went Full Triplett!"

Like calling holding on every single punt or kick return. Don't call that shit if it isn't blatant and/or doesn't affect the play any.


I like that rule. It's a way for a defense to make a great play and get the ball back, like Parker did against Buffalo several years ago.

Cheerleader clothing is optional

The league needs to define all rules so there is no doubt. End the judgement calls for the refs. Then really grade these pricks if the get so many marks send them to a relief pool with fines. If that doesnt fix it and they fail again suspension the third time is relieved of duties.

All of this... ^ ... yet every potential review should be made within 12 seconds beginning to end. All it takes is one quick look on the big screen. 12 seconds.

DPI penalties should max out at 25 yds.

Just as you say for accountability in bad calls.. there should be accountability for obvious penalties not called. We see them every game... glaring OL holding that the ref is staring right at. Enough strikes with those, and the refs should get terminated.

...but all of this is bullshit. The NFL likes the corruption the way it is. cha-ching!

#1. Whistle can't be blown until the ball is on the ground. What is forward progress?

#2. Get rid of the 2 minute warning. It is only there for a free time out and to sell more ads.

#3. What really is a catch, and was his arm moving forward?

#4. Is there really a NY review, or is that made up?

#5. Hands to the face should apply to RB's and WR's.

#6. I agree. Get rid of inactives and expand the roster. If a player is listed as out, too bad -teams shouldn't be on equal terms because of injuries.

Go back to whatever the rules were in 1985 and call the game like they did back then.

There should be a time limit for how long after a play that a ref can throw a flag.

And any player advocating for a flag multiple times....can be flagged for a delay of game. Quit ****ing calling for a flag every time you don't catch the ball.

If you keep trying to restrict hits to the head and increase suspensions etc., smaller DBs have no option but to go low. You would have many more acl and other severe knee injuries.

I like this but Kelce wont :D

I said it in a thread a few months ago, but Defensive Pass Interference should be a "half the distance" penalty, with a 5 or 10 yard minimum. If you interfere with a guy 50 yards downfield with the ball in the air, the offense gets 25 yards.

Yes, but it is not perfect. It has definitely made it a lot more fair.
If they could have reviewed the hit that DJ layed on Mariota we would have beaten the Titans. That is the reason that all rulings on the field by the officials should be reviewed. Obscure penalties like that one called my Triplette should be eliminated from the rule book. Just like the "Tuck Rule".
There should definitely be an official that is watching the game and can overturn any call made or missed by the ground crew.

Maybe, but a knee will heal. CTE will kill you.

Knees can prematurely end careers as well.

Defensive holding should not be 5 yards and a first down

Challenging forward progress should be allowed. That rule is only there so the refs can screw teams over without worry of being overturned.

Refs shouldn’t even be there anymore. It should be automatic with all the computers, cameras, and other shot they have now.

Ref crews should be held accountable by being named on tv along with tracking penalty stats for refs like they do stats for players.

So, far this is the only sensible rule suggestion in the thread.

Also, I think refs should have to go in front of the media in post game interviews just like the players

Maybe top 3 flag throwers go in front of the camera for the media and talk about what they saw and why they called what they called. More accountability for these idiots because they are ruining the game imo

The assholes who control them are ruining the game.

1. Only if calls are reviewable. Especially if no opi is called. Throw flag get call. The bump rule needs to be 10 yards to balance this also.

2. Only if it is a bonafide targeting hit. But to balance offensive players have to give them selves up and cannot lower their head for catches. Also reviewable.

3.ok

4.no too extreme and some ejections were bs. Loss of game check to charity.

5. No, move up to 10 but two pt plays are also from 10.

No, league should already be funding this. Also the research should also look into the percentage of suicides with people having financial problems.
Same with the league should guarantee medical for life if you play 4 seasons or more or injured during a game or NFL activity.

Ideally need to research mimicking rugby pads for games.

#1 and #3 won't happen as it is an offensive game in the NFL. That is good for us now that we will have PMIII starting.:D

#2 definitely agree

#4 Ok, no real opinion

#5 keep it as is

I would like to see one challenge a game if you felt there was an obvious face mask or hold or PI that could change the game that was or wasn't called.

If getting more calls right is an improvement, then yes. C'mon...
An overturned call is one they got (eventually) got right that would have been wrong. They usually aren't too many complaints about those.

:rolleyes:
Pretty much everything is a judgment call. Especially if you're going to allow for things like 'incidental' contact that doesn't really impact the play.

Add the targeting rule that college has and make it reviewable. Make everything challengeable including penalties.

The league had meetings to specifically "emphasize" these types of rules. The league can just as easily erase that and they should. If there's gray area, then I'd rather let the play play out instead of giving away free plays to the offense like candy.

Make more of the offensive penalties include loss of down. Most penalties on the defense give the offense too much of an advantage. Make DPI review-able somehow. Add a targeting rule to eliminate leading with the head in all situations. On one hand we are told to be amazed at the athletic ability of these players and on the other, we are told that it all happens too fast. Garbage, players know they are targeting and leading with their heads.

The game has swung way too much in favor of the offense. Running backs can put their head down and run into someone, they can grab the face mask of a defender and use it to leverage them out of the way. The intentional grounding rule is a joke; if the QB can't get away or find someone to throw the ball then it should be treated as a sack.

I don't like the rules about a catch, if the ball touches the ground, not a catch. If the ball moves when you land out of bounds, not a catch. If you catch the ball, get two feet on the ground and cross the goal line the play is over, TD.

The ground can cause a fumble if the ball carrier goes to the ground without being contacted by a tackler. “The ground cannot cause a fumble” is one of the dumber incorrect clichés we’ve been bequeathed by idiot sportscasters.

But, yeah, the catch rule is a mess.

I’d make it illegal to pass the ball every play when you have a lead. Maybe that will help Andy out some??

I'd be happy if they'd just make it a level playing field when it comes to penalties.

I'm about done with the preferential treatment.

Yes this. ^^ Challenge all calls. Maybe there will be pressure on the officials to not make shitty calls or purposeful make game changing calls. Hell, how about challenge any play such as the ones the official **** tards don't call. Like the one where Kelce got speared helmet to helmet and they didn't even bat their eyes.

I’m skeptical that anyone would sit through a five hour game.

I also don't understand why "clocking the ball" isn't intentional grounding. The QB is still between the tackles and the ball is not thrown at the line of scrimmage or towards a receiver.

Agreed. But I am sure they have some BS reason why it isn't. Probably that it would "kill the dramatic drive" because time would run out and ratings would really dip in the last 45 sec of the game once the fanbase learns they have no timeouts.:D

if kicking the ball out of bounds on the back end of the end zone is not a penalty, kickers should be able to coffin corner kick again. (would lessen the violent hits, plus reward the kicking team for such good placement.)

accident or not, defender must be removed if player 'is confirmed' as having a concussion.

absolutely love the mittens idea ROFL

all plays should be review-able, including early whistles that void plays reviewability. :D

forward progress must be a three second count :thumb:

offensive holding should be 5 yards and loss of down. :D

When they do they should get a week off and a $50K fine.

If a player draws a foul by intentionally flopping. It should be reviewed during commercial break. Say a player acts like he got hit in the face when there wasn't any contact, but the ref fell for it.

When it is reviewed at the next commercial, not only should the foul be nullified, any free throw points should be nullified, and the player flopping should be given a technical. The other teams gets to shoot the technical and get the ball back.

Oh wait. /wrong rant.

Yeah, I saw a 15 yard penalty assessed on kickoff because the receiver pointed at the DB as he was running into the end zone. total BS..
BUT

so how come Tyreek Hill never gets taunting called on his peace sign as he's entering the EZ? He's done it toward a defender before. Pats game especially.

"Oh, the peace sign is just a friendly gesture. Pointing is taunting" --ref.

:cuss:

not allowed to wear white/grey/tan shoes or gloves. makes it difficult for officials to differentiate appendages and boundaries :thumb:

1st down Patriots

eh... it's a pretty significant and obvious difference.

One gesture is directed AT an opposing player... the other, is not. Same reason the ref dropped a flag on Kelce, and then picked it up (late game this season). They conferred, and realized that Kelce was simply doing a brief celebration after a catch.. when first, they misconstrued it as directing his action at an opposing player.

It's a slippery slope, once you start letting opposing players taunt. It's classless, can start fights that the League doesn't and shouldn't want viewed. There's enough classless outside of football.