What rules would you change in the NFL?

[Yeagermeister]

The other change I'd make, it's not really a rule, is a rookie salary cap. Rookie contract have gotten crazy. Something similar to the NBA rookie cap would be great.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Eliminate the Steeler Exception to most rules.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Instead of new rules I would like to see many current rules repealed

wow do I agree with this, and I have quite a few ideas to do just that to make the NFL fun again.

1. Only deliberate and obvious BIG late hits on QB be penalized.
2. go back to allowing catches on sideline when player is obviously pushed out of bounds.
3. allow nonintentional interference from defensive backs, let the guys play.
4. Most celebrations in endzone should be allowed
5. players should be allowed to take helmet off on field
6. Only prolonged horsecollars should be called, not most of them
7. the MBIII hand stiffs (forgot what they are called) to the face should be ok

these are only a few, believe me I have many more to repeal but I have to go

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

You put the ball at the 20 for OT. Noboby can cover kicks these days.

 

[DeaconMoss]

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

cheers on that one!

 

[BaybeeJay]

Completely agree with a more pervasive replay system. If their is video evidence on the contrary, why make a bad call?

I am a proponent of finding changes that reduce the number of penalties while not drastically changing the game. Penalties are time consuming. I would do away with the facemask, and replace it with some type of face shield (the engineering aspect should be pretty easy). Surely people will have trouble with this initially, but it would do away with the facemask penalty while also protecting the player.

 

[Wrangler87]

I like the rookie salary cap and the "Legend" rule as stated above. I also think teams should be given a salary cap rebate for resigning their own players. An unrestricted FA should be cheaper for his own team to resign.

Kind of off the rule thing a little, I think all home teams should be required to wear white jerseys with the exception of the two throwback weeks. And, the two throwback weeks should be consistently the same every year. Thanksgiving weekend and the weekend of or before Christmas (this will delight the people trying to market the throwbacks for the holidays).

 

[DeaconMoss]

1) Allow celebrations. ***** man its a game. Have fun. Celebrate when you score thats what its all about. But Helmet must stay on and no taunting. No foreign objects during celebration. No pens. popcorn, phones, etc... I love the dances and high fiving.
2) Hair cannot touch Jersey or cut it. Dam long hair is riduculous.
3) 15 yds for pass inteference. No bombs to 5 with the hope of a PI.
4) OT both teams get a chance with ball at 20.
5) Add 2 playoff teams and get rid of bye
6) Play games on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday I can't wait til Sunday.
7) Let safeties hit receivers who make an attempt to catch the ball. If WR doesn't make an attempt then u can't hit him.
8) Coach's have a weight limit.
9) Increase roster to 55.
10) Let coach's challenge any penalty.

 

[CF74]

Increase roster size to 60, cap rookies but let vets make as much as they want. I think it's backwards right now. Why reward somebody who has never played vs somebody who has given their all??? Any major play/penalty that completely alters the game should be automatically reviewed, especially if it's a tight game and it's in the 4rth quarter...

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Clothing optional for some of the cheerleaders. Free beer... league wide for every fan over 30 in attendance.

 

[MC KAos]

i agree with most of you guys, i like the college overtime better than the NFL, i also like the PI being 5 or 15 with automatic first down if its not blatant, then its spot of foul.

one think i hate too is the pay scale for draft picks, i think there should be a set salary for each pick for each position. it would eliminate draftees holding out and it would eliminate unproven players making more than veterans

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I definitely like the rookie scale as well. Everyone does, thats why itll get done. Just use that money for proven players.

You could increase the performance incentive bonus thing Adam posts about. So you always get paid if you play well.

And you can only franchise a guy once. After that make him an offer or let someone else. No more 1 year rental BS & the ensuing contract drama every year.

 

[casmith07]

There should be Pass Interference, 15 yards but not an automatic first down (if it's 2nd and 20, Pass Interference should make it 2nd and 5).

There should be Personal Foul, Pass Interference. Automatic 1st at the spot of the foul.

Also, illegal use of hands should not be a 1st down. How often is it 3rd and long, and some tick-tack illegal use of the hands nets a free 1st down but only 5 yards gained? The 5 yards wouldn't otherwise lead to a 1st down? I just think it's a dumb rule.

I also think the facemask rule should stay as is - safer for the players.

Officials should be able to review penalties, especially those that could go both ways like pass interference.

Also, overtime should be shortened and played to the gun. Have a 7:30 overtime period and whoever is ahead at the end wins. If not, game ends in a tie. Sudden death is ridiculous.

 

[Doomsday101]

I definitely like the rookie scale as well. Everyone does, thats why itll get done. Just use that money for proven players.

You could increase the performance incentive bonus thing Adam posts about. So you always get paid if you play well.

And you can only franchise a guy once. After that make him an offer or let someone else. No more 1 year rental BS & the ensuing contract drama every year.

It will happen as part of the collective bargaining agreement. I'm sure the players union will use that as a bargaining chip to get concessions else where

 

[DeaconMoss]

I guess the head coach weight limit is out?

Wade and Reid should not be allowed to tell the team to run unless the hit the treadmill at least once a day. They look horrible.

 

[MC KAos]

I guess the head coach weight limit is out?

Wade and Reid should not be allowed to tell the team to run unless the hit the treadmill at least once a day. They look horrible.

:laugh2:

 

[AmishCowboy]

Eliminate the Steeler Exception to most rules.

 

[AmishCowboy]

I'll go with a real pet peeve of mine, how about all 53 players are active on game day, the present rule makes no sense to me.

 

[HoosierCowboy]

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.....

we lost a SB to Pitts on such a travesty

 

[BehindEnemyLinez]

Hmmm...Rule Changes:
1-Treat QBs as football players (no roughing calls; only late hits just like everyone else)
2-Excessive celebrations...Ha! At best make them delay of game penalties if they're holding up the pace of play
3-Expand official reviews to include penalties. How many times have replays proven that the on-field official was incorrect?
4-Bring back the force-out rule. Receivers shouldn't be penalized for defenders pushing them outta the field of play on catches that they could clearly catch inbounds otherwise (except in the endzone).
5-Illegal contact. I thought football was a contact sport! Let the WRs & CBs bang a little bit. Make a p/i call if it's a blatant shove or hold.