What rules would you change in the NFL?

[SaltwaterServr]

If you could change any rules in the current NFL, what would they be? The obvious first choice is Kommandant Goodell's TD celebration garbage, so let's just get that out of the way.

I've got two.

First, a blocked extra point could be returned for a safety.

Second, an onside kick can be advanced by the kicking team.

Let's here what you've got and I'll bet there are some considerations to the overtime rules.

 

[theogt]

I would like to add the ability for officials to review penalties.

 

[rkell87]

agree with both

the tom brady rule

 

[Doomsday101]

Instead of new rules I would like to see many current rules repealed

 

[Rampage]

Instead of new rules I would like to see many current rules repealed

I agree. I'd like to be able to hit a qb without getting a penalty.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Instead of new rules I would like to see many current rules repealed

That would qualify as rule changes.

Give some examples.

 

[Bizwah]

I would change pass interference penalties.

I really think there needs to be two types: flagrant and incidental

I think it's wrong that 50 some odd yards could be gained by a team due to an official's whim. How many times have you seen a team change their field position due to a ticky-tack PI call that could go either way.

Change most of them to a 15 yard penalty. I would have a flagrant PI because there would be too many people that would just tackle Randy Moss rather than actually try to go for the ball.

 

[Doomsday]

No contact after 5 yards, that is the worse rule in the history of man kind. It is a contact sport there is going to be some contact. I also dont think it should be PI for the QB throws up a duck, if your running full speed with someone and they suddenly stop to go back for a duck and you run into them, then too bad. Why reward teams for bad play, make them earn their yards.

Use college football's review system or something similar. The whole 2 challenges thing is the worse idea ever.

 

[Rampage]

I would change pass interference penalties.

I really think there needs to be two types: flagrant and incidental

I think it's wrong that 50 some odd yards could be gained by a team due to an official's whim. How many times have you seen a team change their field position due to a ticky-tack PI call that could go either way.

Change most of them to a 15 yard penalty. I would have a flagrant PI because there would be too many people that would just tackle Randy Moss rather than actually try to go for the ball.

na the PI rule is cool. this isn't college and imo the college rules are terrible especially the overtime.

 

[Doomsday101]

That would qualify as rule changes.

Give some examples.

I think roughing the QB should be altered for one, I'm tired of seeing a defender get called because he brushed the helmet. I have no issue with intentional roughing but all too often we see minor contract that leads to 15 yard fouls.

I would like to see the 5 yard bump rule removed the refs do not call it half the time anyways. The rule once allowed the defender more contract until the ball was in the air that rule still applies in college and would like to see it returned to the NFL.

Last year’s rule of eliminating the force out I would like to see go back to the original rule

 

[HoosierCowboy]

get rid of the tuck rule--you're throwing or not
go back to the missed FG out of the end zone spotted at the 20
15 yards for all PI
holding is holding
let them hit the QB

 

[CATCH17]

The brady rule, and the wedge rule.

 

[JJB500]

I agree. I'd like to be able to hit a qb without getting a penalty.

What he said here, pussifaction of the game!

 

[SkinsFan28]

I agree:
change the PI rule. I like the 2 level approach

Get rid of or greatly reduce the celebration penalties.

I really am nervous about how the new wedge rule will be called. I see that one as a huge boondoggle

I think the qb is overprotected, and again the new rule change about lunging could be abused.

One change I am curious about is the "flying wr's" that Arena football and Canadian football uses. I wonder if that could work in the NFL, where you can have one WR in full stride as the ball is hiked. I think that would make for some explosive plays.

and of course OT - you must establish a 6pt lead or the period continues. No quick FG's to end an awesome game. Maybe each team is entitled to one possesion as well but I'm not sure about that.

 

[Bizwah]

na the PI rule is cool. this isn't college and imo the college rules are terrible especially the overtime.

Ok....imagine this.

We're playing the Eagles at the end of the season. We have the same record, and the winner of the game wins the East and gets home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

At the two minute warning, we're ahead 24-23. This has been a good, hard-fought game. Both teams have laid it out on the field. Let's say that we had a tough first-half, but we really bottled up McNabb and CO the second half.

They have the ball at their own 30 yard line. It's 4th and 11. McNabb drops back to pass. He's heavily pressured and chased by Ware, who has a bead on him. McNabb throws up a prayer just as Ware drills him....the ball travels 50 yards in the air all the way to our 20 yard line. Newman is stride for stride with Jackson. Both players fight for the ball...there's contact, but nothing too terrible. The call might have gone both ways....but probably shouldn't be called. But there's a flag. It's a penalty on Newman. Eagles get the ball on our 20 yard line with less than two minutes left in the game. They run time off the clock, and kick the winning field goal.

To me....this is a travesty. There's no way a game of this magnitude, one where both teams have laid it on the line for three hours, should be decided by a FIFTY YARD PENALTY. Especially if an official makes a mistake. If an official makes a mistake on a holding call...the penalty is ten yards. If an official makes a mistake on a PI...the penalty can take over half the field.

I'm sorry....I've always been of the mind that fifteen yards and an automatic first down was more than a stiff enough penalty for PI.

But, I know there are folks that disagree.....

 

[Rampage]

Ok....imagine this.

We're playing the Eagles at the end of the season. We have the same record, and the winner of the game wins the East and gets home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

At the two minute warning, we're ahead 24-23. This has been a good, hard-fought game. Both teams have laid it out on the field. Let's say that we had a tough first-half, but we really bottled up McNabb and CO the second half.

They have the ball at their own 30 yard line. It's 4th and 11. McNabb drops back to pass. He's heavily pressured and chased by Ware, who has a bead on him. McNabb throws up a prayer just as Ware drills him....the ball travels 50 yards in the air all the way to our 20 yard line. Newman is stride for stride with Jackson. Both players fight for the ball...there's contact, but nothing too terrible. The call might have gone both ways....but probably shouldn't be called. But there's a flag. It's a penalty on Newman. Eagles get the ball on our 20 yard line with less than two minutes left in the game. They run time off the clock, and kick the winning field goal.

To me....this is a travesty. There's no way a game of this magnitude, one where both teams have laid it on the line for three hours, should be decided by a FIFTY YARD PENALTY. Especially if an official makes a mistake. If an official makes a mistake on a holding call...the penalty is ten yards. If an official makes a mistake on a PI...the penalty can take over half the field.

I'm sorry....I've always been of the mind that fifteen yards and an automatic first down was more than a stiff enough penalty for PI.

But, I know there are folks that disagree.....

well sometimes officials blow calls. we've had plenty in our favor too(the hail mary) it happens. but thats why the pros get paid the big bucks. sometimes they make stupid mistakes when draped all over a wr of what would've been a td if he hadn't interfered. I get your point and understand your opinion on the PI rule. I just like it the way it is.

 

[THUMPER]

Besides some of those already posted here are some I have long advocated:

1. I would increase team rosters to 60 (it was at 60 back in the late 80s but they lowered it for some stupid reason) so that we can keep developmental players on the team. I would only have the top-50 players count against the cap (it's 51 now but why the odd number?)

2. I would change the salary cap to allow for a "Legends" clause where a player that has been with one team for 10 years can be paid anything the team wants to pay him over the veteran minimum but the cap hit is only for the vet min. I hate seeing players that have been with one team their whole careers being let go because they are due a roster bonus or something. I hated seeing Emmitt in a Cardinals uniform.

3. Make EVERYTHING reviewable. I hate it when a big play is called wrong but the official say that it can't be reviewed. Pass Interference penalties come to mind. One bad call can give a team 50 yards. How many times have we seen a call on the DB when the WR had hold of the guy's jersey, or no call. It will force HCs to be a bit more judicial with their challenges and not challenge minor things.

3a. Allow the replay officials in the booth (should be more than one guy) to review the play and they can do it at any time in the game. They signal to the Referee to pause the game until they can review he call. Basketball officials can review a play at any time to see how much time should be on the clock, whether it was a 3-pointer or not, if the guy beat the 24-second clock, etc. so why not in the NFL. I know it would delay the game some so guidelines would have to be in place so that the replay officials know what to review and what to let pass.

4. As for PI, let the players play and fight for the ball more. I know they want to give an advantage to the offense to promote more scoring but I don't like it. I liked it when the DBs could play bump-and-run all the way down the field until the ball was in the air. Even then I'd like to see only blatant calls made and not incidental contact when both guys are fighting for the ball. There is a lot of grabbing and arm-fighting now that isn't called consistently.

5. I'd like to see full-time officials. This age-old practice of part-time guys doesn't work anymore. This should be a full-time job so that the refs are properly trained and know what is and isn't an infraction. We see too many times when plays are not called consistently and I believe this is partly due to this being essentially a hobby for these guys. It would also give the league a LOT more leverage in disciplining officials who are not doing their job correctly. Each game should be reviewed and each official scored on how well he did his job. Did he miss too many holding calls? Did he call penalties based on what he "thinks" happened instead of what he actually saw? Was he distracted? Was he not paying attention to the right players? etc. I realize that you can't call every game without mistakes but since they have such an enormous impact on the outcome everything should be done to eliminate as many as possible.

That's enough for now...

 

[Yeagermeister]

I agree on the a few of these:

PI
5 yard rule - Go back to man all over the field
Tuck rule is stupid
Let them hit the QB or go to touch football

The one rule I would not touch is OT. It's fine the way it is. Defense is part of the game. If a team can't stop the other team they didn't deserve to win.

 

[skicat1898]

Two things should be protected regarding the QB... Intentionally going at the knees and also, picking the QB up and driving him to the ground... Other than that, knock the crap out of him....

PI,,, 10 yards and automatic first down.

Jerry Jones should not be allowed on the sideline til the game clock tic 00:00.

I also hate the tuck rule,, totally ridiculous. If he is tucking it,, he ain't throwing it.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'd change overtime for sure. I hate that BS of luck of the coin flip often paying far to great a factor in who wins and loses. Each team has to get a possession.

15 yards for all PI. No more spot of the foul, crap, that gives people a first and goal at the one when their receiver is actually mugging the defender but the ref blows the call and calls the PI on the defender. 15 yards, period. No more.

Get rid of some of that ticky tacky crap with the QBs. A hand brushes the helmet and it's a penalty? Geez. Pathetic.

I'd also get rid of stupid rules that clearly don't apply to every part of the game.

Examples:

#1: Intentional grounding. Ok...so a QB can't throw it into the dirt to avoid a sack but they can just run up to the line and throw it into the ground to stop the clock? What's the difference? Absolutely nothing. You're not attempting to complete a pass you're chucking it into the ground. Get rid of this rule if it's not going to apply to all plays and parts of the game.

#2: The ball breaking the plane being a TD. I know lots of people love this rule but it's stupid and it bugs me. A runningback, or QB, can simply place the ball over the line, without any of their feet actually getting into the endzone, or any other parts of their body for that matter, and it's a TD but a receiver who goes up for a jump ball, in the endzone, and catches the ball, the ball has clearly broke the plane at that point, but they actually have to get their feet in bounds or it doesn't count. That's contridictory (probably spelled that wrong) IMO and it just bugs me. Either the player actually has to score, as in the player actually has to get the vast majority of their body into the endzone, or all players only have to possess the ball at some point when it's broken the plane of the endzone. Not both ways.