New NFL rules for 2008

[Jereme]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-nflrulechanges090208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Incidental facemask changes
The incidental grasp and release of the facemask foul has been eliminated. However, the 15-yard penalty for grabbing and twisting the mask will be strictly enforced. Tacklers and runners to be treated equally.

Impact: Less penalties for incidental contact will help the flow of the game, however officials will pay specific attention to grabbing and twisting of the facemask.



Force out rule eliminated
A receiver must land with both feet in bounds regardless of whether he is hit while in the air.

Impact: Helps defenders who can push a receiver out of bounds during the catch, and could eliminate controversial judgment calls.


Coin toss deferral
Teams that win the opening coin toss will have the choice of deferring the choice of kicking off or receiving until the start of the second half. Previously, teams that won the toss had only the option of kicking off or receiving.

Impact: Gives another strategic option, allowing coaches who win the toss to choose to either kick off or defend in the first or second half. Defensive-minded coaches could wind up defending at the beginning of both halves.



Defensive helmet radios
One defensive player on the field is permitted to have a radio in his helmet, which will be marked by a green dot in the back.

Impact: Allows coaches to relay defensive signals just as offensive signals are relayed from offensive coaches to the quarterback.



Muffed snap
Snaps will now be in play if they are not touched. In the past, they were ruled a false start.

Impact: Allows the defensive team a chance to recover.



Reviewable plays
Instant replay will expand to include field-goal and extra-point attempts as well as illegal forward handoffs.

Impact: Provides a mechanism for correcting an obvious on-field officiating error.

 

[alanon]

Force out rule eliminated
A receiver must land with both feet in bounds regardless of whether he is hit while in the air.

Impact: Helps defenders who can push a receiver out of bounds during the catch, and could eliminate controversial judgment calls.

I heard them talking about implementing this rule in the spring. I like the rule in princepal, but I can gaurantee there are going to be some WRs that get hurt this year because of this. Think about it, if I'm a safety and the WR has to go into the air anywhere within 5 yards of the sideline, I'm driving the SOB all the way into the bench....

 

[Jereme]

I agree. They always overdo these rules when they first implement them and then need to go back and tweak them. I always thought it was fucked up the receiver got a completion when forced out.

 

[Tim Wakefield]

I heard them talking about implementing this rule in the spring. I like the rule in princepal, but I can gaurantee there are going to be some WRs that get hurt this year because of this. Think about it, if I'm a safety and the WR has to go into the air anywhere within 5 yards of the sideline, I'm driving the SOB all the way into the bench....

I was gonna say the same thing. The force out rule was a total judgment call, but it protected receivers trying to make plays near the sideline. I forsee a couple broken necks haha. Still, it was probably the right fix. As for the rest, not real exciting. Getting rid of 5 yard facemask penalties is also probably a good thing.

 

[Pesmerga]

I agree. They always overdo these rules when they first implement them and then need to go back and tweak them. I always thought it was fucked up the receiver got a completion when forced out.

how is that fucked up? they were in bounce and get shoved out mid air..its bad play..like calling a time out too ice a kicker


would be cool too see them do something to pass interference(defensive mainly).

 

[Jereme]

how is that fucked up? they were in bounce and get shoved out mid air..its bad play..like calling a time out too ice a kicker


would be cool too see them do something to pass interference(defensive mainly).

The receiver failed to get two feet in bounds is how it was fucked up. This is exactly what this rule is changing.

 

[Anglis]

I think they're perfect. Lately, rules have been making the league and offensive league, which absolutely screws over defenses. Now with 3 new rules to help the defense out, it should start to level things out. Also, one can now have a headphone for plays.


I mean seriously, the last 4 years, we've seen records shattered every year. Why? Because the league has screwed over the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Airou]

I personally really dont like how they got rid of the force out, anyone remember that play a few years back, Cardinals Vs. Vikings. The vikes had to beat lolcardinals led by Josh Mcown, and in the last second he threw a squeezer in the endzone to Nate Poole for the win that was ruled a force out.

 

[Shyrra]

I think they're perfect. Lately, rules have been making the league and offensive league, which absolutely screws over defenses. Now with 3 new rules to help the defense out, it should start to level things out. Also, one can now have a headphone for plays.


I mean seriously, the last 4 years, we've seen records shattered every year. Why? Because the league has screwed over the defensive side of the ball.

Easy way to explain that, the league believes that offense fills the seats better than defense.

On topic, none of the rules are really much of a difference maker, so... oh well.

 

[Anglis]

Easy way to explain that, the league believes that offense fills the seats better than defense.

On topic, none of the rules are really much of a difference maker, so... oh well.

Force out is. It happens all the time.


Also, I love offense. It's just the rules were getting a little out of hand.

 

[Airou]

For those that dont remember that play (Its in the last few seconds of the video, Cardinals Vs. Vikings)