If you could change one NFL Rule back... (1 Viewer)

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

With all of the rule changes going on in the NFL it gave me a thought. If you had one veto card, to change back an NFL rule, which rule would it be and why?

I would eliminate the no contact past 5 yards for DBs and clear up pass interference definition.

-It's such a fishy rule to start with. DBs do have contact with WRs past 5 yards, so really it's just when will the Referee make it a penalty.

-WRs make contact with DBs regularly by pushing off to make a catch(Irvin made this popular), so it would make it fair that both can make contact.

-WRs will run into DBs and attempt to draw a penalty.

-QBs throw up 50/50 passes hoping for a catch or PI call...this isn't how the game is intended to be played

Fixing the definition of the PI would allow for it to only be called if:

-The DB tackles the WR before the ball arrives

-Holds down arm/arms of a WR attempting to make a catch

-Contact that is above and beyond the DB attempting the INT

Changing this rule would also make it fair for defenses. With all of the rule changes, they are at a severe handicap when it comes to actually playing defense. They can't tackle players by hitting certain areas of their body(yet an OT can basically hold the DE, but the DE has to come under control and not hit the QB high/low/etc), defenseless WRs, I can't touch this guy downfield yet he can push off. I understand that most people want high scoring games...but that's not real football. I think the NFL over the years has tended to cater to the fans and Fantasy Football by making the game more high scoring.

How is the offense limited? They can't chop block if a player is engaged with another OL...that's about it.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I think the NFL over the years has tended to cater to the fans and Fantasy Football by making the game more high scoring.

Which is why they won't go back on helping out the offenses.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I would make stickum legal.

 

[VA703]

no rules on hits

no holds barred

 

[The Kuhn]

The tuck rule. If you're going to protect against hits on the QB, there should be no protection against plays on the ball.

 

[domvin]

The tuck rule. If you're going to protect against hits on the QB, there should be no protection against plays on the ball.

Good call on the Tuck rule. It's so darn ambiguous.Another rule I miss, is the two feet in bounds rule, when a wr is being pushed out of bounds. If he goes up perpendicular, and gets pushed out while securing the catch, it should be a catch. I even liked the referee signal showing the wr is being pushed out, then overruling it signifying it was a catch. My 2 cents.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

The tuck rule.

end thread/

 

[GregR]

Change touchdowns back to 4 points each. The high scoring affairs they have these days are just a gimmick for publicity.

If they didn't need high scores back in the 1890s, they certainly don't need them now.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

The tuck rule.

end thread/

Raiders fan saying this

 

[treat88]

I would eliminate the no contact past 5 yards for DBs and clear up pass interference definition.

100% agreed.It's frustrating watching such a subjective call as pass interference have such game changing consequences.

 

[Mello]

Agree with the OP. The 5 yard contact rule would be the first one I would change.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

Fixing the definition of the PI would allow for it to only be called if:-The DB tackles the WR before the ball arrives-Holds down arm/arms of a WR attempting to make a catch-Contact that is above and beyond the DB attempting the INT

And absolutely no PI on an underthrown ball. Nothing worse than a QB underthrowing a guy by 5 yards and when the WR has to stop and wait for the ball but gets the call because the DB bumps him. Rewards a terrible offensive play.

 

[johnadams]

Bring back the head slap.

 

[GregR]

I wouldn't undo rules, I would add something new. Like allowing replay review of penalties, or banning cut blocking by anyone lined up within 1 yard of the LOS.

I'm fine with there being a Tuck Rule, but I think they need to specify when it ends. The goal of it is to not have a ref have to guess if a pass was being attempted or the ball was being tucked. But when the QB has both hands on the ball again, as Brady did on that infamous play, there is no need to apply such a rule, it's obvious it wasn't a pass.

 

[Riffraff]

Expanding the number of NFL teams beyond 28, diluting the talent in the league.

 

[nxmehta]

Allow TD celebrations.

 

[spider321]

The Brady rules.

If you can't hit the qb's more than 2 inches above or below the waste, just go ahead and put 'em in skirts.

 

[grtwhtsk]

Out of bounds stops the clock right away, no matter what part of the game it is. Also, go back to just a 30 second clock.

 

[FavreCo]

Out of bounds stops the clock right away, no matter what part of the game it is. Also, go back to just a 30 second clock.

....and stop the clock on 1st downs like in college (I think they do that). Since they are heading towards 2 hand touch, the increased # of plays won't increase injuries and will add to FF.Games would last longer, more commercials, more income for the NFL.

 

[comfortably numb]

"roughing the kicker"

If your fingernail swipes the ball, you can decapitate the kicker, if you miss and your fingernail nips a shoelace.

AUTOMATIC 1ST DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!

I mean, lets leave a judgement call on whether an attempt was made on the ball or if there was a flat out bounty on the kicker, but this crap?

 

[ImTheScientist]

I would eliminate the forward pass.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

I would eliminate the forward pass.

Move Tebow up your rankings in all formats.

 

[Tornacl]

I would eliminate the forward pass.

Move Tebow up your rankings in all formats.

Even in PPR leagues?

 

[flranger]

Eliminate all kicking plays. No punts, kickoffs, or field goals.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

I would eliminate the ability to not allow the defense to substitute players (via hurry up) except in the last 5 minutes.

That's not to say you couldn't do the hurry up, but I would have stuff that affected the clock/time as such and allow for the defense to not be beat solely by manipulation and trickeration, but by better play on the field.

 

[mbuehner]

Back to leather helmets and pads. All this injury prevention is just another symptom of the woosification of America. What's more exciting than seeing the emergency quarterback called up before half-time?

 

[the UFFRM]

The 5 yard contact rule for DBs, if repealed, would make me happy. Besides line play the DB/WR match up is the most fun to watch and had sucked ever since that rule was made.

 

[Warhogs]

MOve the goal post back to teh goal line. Nothing like being able to run a route using the goal post as a pick.

 

[SWC]

i would change whatever rule says you cannot throw other players like missiles to block field goals and passes or to have the flying missle player obliterate opposing ball carriers and defenseless qbs and another rule i could cahnge is the rule that lets minnesota have a football team

 

[roadkill1292]

I would eliminate the ability to not allow the defense to substitute players (via hurry up) except in the last 5 minutes.That's not to say you couldn't do the hurry up, but I would have stuff that affected the clock/time as such and allow for the defense to not be beat solely by manipulation and trickeration, but by better play on the field.

Let's go in the other direction instead and eliminate a whole lot of substituting. Maybe that'll get some of the really fat boyz off the field.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

The tuck rule. If you're going to protect against hits on the QB, there should be no protection against plays on the ball.

Good call on the Tuck rule. It's so darn ambiguous.

Another rule I miss, is the two feet in bounds rule, when a wr is being pushed out of bounds. If he goes up perpendicular, and gets pushed out while securing the catch, it should be a catch. I even liked the referee signal showing the wr is being pushed out, then overruling it signifying it was a catch. My 2 cents.

I disagree with this one....run your pattern somewhere else....the sideline is one of the only things a defender has left....plus if you and I are both refs, we might watch the same play and you think the WR could have come down with both feet in bounds and I might think he couldn't have.....too much wiggle room theremine would be allow TD's celebrations.....you get 10 seconds to do whatever you want (so as not to hold up the game).....can't be unsportmanlike or mocking/taunting the other team, but everything else is fair game....like I love seeing a RB hand the ball to a lineman and the chubby getting to blast of a spike.....the machine gun shooting down your own players is cool too....I miss the worm and breakdance spins on the ground, etc....bring em all back....have some fun...

 

[Tornacl]

I would change the "Calvin Johnson" rule on completing the catch.