2012 NFL Rule changes

[Doomsday101]

The following rule changes are approved by the competition committee for the 2012 season:

The Replay Booth can initiate replay reviews on turnover plays at any time during the game, similar to a change made in the 2011 season regarding booth reviews on scoring plays outside of the final 2:00 of the game or in overtime.

The overtime rules in the playoffs (adopted for the 2010 season) would be extended to the regular season. Instead of a straight sudden death, the game will not immediately end if the team that wins the coin toss only scores a field goal on its first possession (they can still win the game if they score a touchdown). Instead, the other team gets a possession. If the coin toss loser then scores a touchdown, it is declared the winner. If the score is tied after both teams had a possession whether the coin toss loser scored a field goal to tie it or punted it away, then it goes back to sudden death. If the score remains tied at the end of Overtime, the game ends in a tie.

The penalty for 12 men on the field (not in the huddle) is changed from a live-ball foul to a dead-ball foul, possibly in response to the New York Giants committing such a foul on defense in the late stages of Super Bowl XLVI, costing the New England Patriots seconds on a late drive.

Illegally kicking a loose ball now includes a loss-of-down penalty in addition to a 10-yard penalty.

Adding anyone who is subject to a crack-back block to the list of defenseless players.

Last names on uniforms can now include Roman numerals (in the case of Robert Griffin III), Junior (Jr.) and Senior (Sr.) designations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_NFL_season#Rule_changes

 

[Doomsday101]

I would like to see the OT rules put an end to ties. They don't happen often but I still think they need to devise a plan to prevent any game from ending in a tie

 

[StevenOtero]

I would like to see the OT rules put an end to ties. They don't happen often but I still think they need to devise a plan to prevent any game from ending in a tie

If you don't score after one quarter of OT, it goes to a field goal kick shootout.

Talk about motivation

 

[Doomsday101]

If you don't score after one quarter of OT, it goes to a field goal kick shootout.

Talk about motivation

Would like something better than that. Maybe a situation where each team gets the ball from the 25 yard line and a TD was must followed with a 2 point conversion. I don't know just seems wrong for any game to end in a tie.

 

[lurkercowboy]

So with turnovers and scoring plays being reviewed, it seems that coaches challenges will be used rarely. Interesting.

 

[Doomsday101]

So with turnovers and scoring plays being reviewed, it seems that coaches challenges will be used rarely. Interesting.

I like it, I would hate to have a fumbled not reviewed because you don't have a challenge. Same with scoring plays.

 

[lurkercowboy]

I like it, I would hate to have a fumbled not reviewed because you don't have a challenge. Same with scoring plays.

I guess challenges would still come into play under certain scenarios.

Suppose the runner is tackled right at the goal line, team thinks he scored, but the refs say no touchdown. No automatic review since it is not a scoring play right? This would be time for a coaches challenge.

 

[Doomsday101]

I guess challenges would still come into play under certain scenarios.

Suppose the runner is tackled right at the goal line, team thinks he scored, but the refs say no touchdown. No automatic review since it is not a scoring play right? This would be time for a coaches challenge.

Exactly or challenging the marking of the ball could be the difference of 1st and 10 or punting. I just have no problem on big calls like scores or turnovers to be reviewed regardless of a team having a challenge left or not. Seems to me it defeats the purpose of instant replay

 

[JD_KaPow]

I would like to see the OT rules put an end to ties. They don't happen often but I still think they need to devise a plan to prevent any game from ending in a tie

There's been one tie in the last 9 seasons. And that one had the added bonus of making Donovan McNabb look foolish. I don't like the idea of making the rules more complicated to try to avoid something that happens once a decade.

Of course, I think OT should just be a full 15-minute period. Which would lead to a lot more ties.

 

[erod]

I just wish they would have approved the motion to let the replay booth handle the reviews, instead of the lead ref running 70 yards downfield to put his head under a blanket. College saves lots of time that way.

 

[sonnyboy]

There's been one tie in the last 9 seasons. And that one had the added bonus of making Donovan McNabb look foolish. I don't like the idea of making the rules more complicated to try to avoid something that happens once a decade.

Of course, I think OT should just be a full 15-minute period. Which would lead to a lot more ties.

I've always felt the same way. OT should be an extra 15 minute period, but the additional ties would suck. I do think playoff games should have a 15 OT, and then another if tied.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

Would like something better than that. Maybe a situation where each team gets the ball from the 25 yard line and a TD was must followed with a 2 point conversion. I don't know just seems wrong for any game to end in a tie.

I agree. They should just play OT periods until someone wins. Let the game become a war of attrition, someone will eventually lose. I would wager that it wouldn't take long.

 

[JonJon]

I feel that referee bad calls should be reviewable. For example: fantom pass interference calls and false helmet to helmet calls should be challenged by coaches. Teams should not be punished for referee ineptness.

 

[casmith07]

OT should be a 15 minute running clock, with time stoppages after 2 minutes only to move the chains. Presumably, teams can get to the line faster than the chain gang can run and get set, so they should have a few seconds to get themselves set, get a play from the sidelines while jogging up to the first down marker, etc. Whoever is leading at the end, wins. If it's tied, it's a tie.

 

[JonJon]

OT should be a 15 minute running clock. Whoever is leading at the end, wins. If it's tied, it's a tie.

I don't know if I like that idea. Seems like it would make the game much longer than it needs to be. Maybe 2 OT periods consisting of 5 minutes each. If after the first OT the game is still tied, move on to the second OT. If the game is still tied after both OT's then the game ends in a tie.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I hate the OT rules change but at least it's better than college football. Sudden death rules are the only way to go.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hate the OT rules change but at least it's better than college football. Sudden death rules are the only way to go.

I find the college rules exciting myself. I hate ties and if the NCAA of all people can come up with a system that does not allow ties the NFL should be able to.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I find the college rules exciting myself. I hate ties and if the NCAA of all people can come up with a system that does not allow ties the NFL should be able to.

If they kicked off instead of putting the ball on the 25 I might be ok with it. I just like sudden death better. Too me it's more exciting.

 

[Disturbed]

If you don't score after one quarter of OT, it goes to a field goal kick shootout.

Talk about motivation

Okay, but the head coaches must kick the field goals...

 

[Doomsday101]

If they kicked off instead of putting the ball on the 25 I might be ok with it. I just like sudden death better. Too me it's more exciting.

I think redzone is the toughest part of the field and fact that after 2 attempts if they need to continue the they must to for the 2 points. I find the college OT exciting and fair for both teams