New fumble rule

[The30YardSlant]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2539849

Where there was unanimity, however, was in the reaction to the new guidelines governing plays ruled down by contact.

Previously, if a player was ruled down but the ball popped out, the whistle stopped the play in its tracks. Beginning this season, the whistle won't stop the play if the ball comes loose. The play will be reviewable -- it wasn't reviewable if the issue was merely forward progress of the ball carrier -- and could result in a change of possession.

One likely outcome is that the well-worn cliche of "playing until the whistle blows" may lose some of its validity. That's assuming players can adapt to the new way of thinking.

"You can't leave the ball anymore," Barber said Friday. "Sometimes you get tackled and you just get up, and now it could be interpreted as a fumble. You have to be cognizant of that, maybe literally hand the ball back to the official. It's not something you're going to think about until something like that actually happens."

It also raises safety concerns, particularly if some players have eased up when the whistle blows and there is suddenly a scrum for a loose ball.

 

[Cochese]

These NFL douches are hard at work this summer fixing a whole bevy of problems that never needed fixing to begin with.

 

[ghst187]

Prediction 1: there will be more bad calls resulting in turnovers this season because of this rule than there were bad calls for blowing the whistle too early and not allowing a possession change.

Prediction 2: This rule will change the outcome of 1 or 2 games

Prediction 3: Several players will get hurt because of this rule due to defensive players fighting for the ball after the whistle.

 

[locked&loaded]

dude that injury was not funny! i almost threw up his leg is everywher but where its supposed to be.

 

[percyhoward]

Beginning this season, the whistle won't stop the play if the ball comes loose.

They're addressing the right problem, but the wrong way. Instead of making the game more dependent on instant replay, they should have cracked down on the officals for quick whistles.

Also, what's fair about about a defender continuing to try to strip the ball after he hears the whistle, when the runner doesn't have the right to fight for more yardage?