Rule changes you would like to see

[Troglodyte]

3. FGs of 51 or more yards are worth 4 points.

I've thought about a system where:

any FG < 20 Yards = 1 point
21 - 30 Yards = 2 points
31 - 40 Yards = 3 points
41 - 50 Yards = 4 points
Any FG > 50 Yards = 5 points

It would be based on the first yard marker or down marker whichever if the closest to the goal line (so a team couldn't intentionally lose yards to attempt a 41 yard FG instead of a 39 yard FG).

Teams would get a hell of a lot more aggressive down near the goal line as it would be an all or damn near nothing proposition inside the 20. Teams down by 4 or 5 late in the 4th Quarter would have a lot to consider.

 

[ark steel]

I've thought about a system where:

any FG < 20 Yards = 1 point
21 - 30 Yards = 2 points
31 - 40 Yards = 3 points
41 - 50 Yards = 4 points
Any FG > 50 Yards = 5 points

It would be based on the first yard marker or down marker whichever if the closest to the goal line (so a team couldn't intentionally lose yards to attempt a 41 yard FG instead of a 39 yard FG).

Teams would get a hell of a lot more aggressive down near the goal line as it would be an all or damn near nothing proposition inside the 20. Teams down by 4 or 5 late in the 4th Quarter would have a lot to consider.

I'd rather it be. Minimum FG you can try is 30 yards. if you are inside of the 20, you move the ball back to the 20 to try the FG. You get that close, score the TD or **** you! 50+ FG = 4 points.

 

[ark steel]

The only problem I have with the rule is that, when the DB knows he is beat, a PI call saves the day. Intentional PI and the offense gets 15 yards, but it saves a TD or a big play? There will be a rash of PI calls and any DB would be a fool not to, unless he just hopes the WR drops the ball.

 

[nitsuj1225]

The only problem I have with the rule is that, when the DB knows he is beat, a PI call saves the day. Intentional PI and the offense gets 15 yards, but it saves a TD or a big play? There will be a rash of PI calls and any DB would be a fool not to, unless he just hopes the WR drops the ball.

I don't know, it seems to work ok in college. Worth a shot implementing for a few preseason games at least.

I don't like the spot foul rule because 9 times out of 10 it works against the Steelers since we always seem to get called for it and never get the call when it happens to us.

 

[POP]

I've always hated the defensive PI punishment. Go to the college rule of 15 yards, and NOT an automatic 1st down. If you get lucky on 3rd and 22 with a 5 yard defensive PI, you should not get the 1st. Complete bail out bullshit.

Have 2 levels of PI; one for 15 yards, if it isn't blatant, but if the receiver is virtually tackled, make it a spot foul. Also, make everything reviewable, even judgement calls. Why the F not? Even unnecessary roughness and defenseless receiver flags should be allowed to be reviewed. And somehow, NCAA is able to do so in a timely fashion, so NFL refs, step up and get the Fing job done in a timely manner. There is no reason you cannot. What I would really love - and it would cut down on fixed games - was to be able to review holding calls. If they are clearly ticky tack, reverse those calls.

 

[ark steel]

I don't know, it seems to work ok in college. Worth a shot implementing for a few preseason games at least.

I don't like the spot foul rule because 9 times out of 10 it works against the Steelers since we always seem to get called for it and never get the call when it happens to us.

Yeah, I don't like it in college ball, either. Not sure why it doesn't get called more. I'd bet NFL coaches will tell the DB's to do it.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

1) Eliminate instant replay (and, don't show it during the broadcast either), let the referees call the game and be done.
2) Eliminate the use of headsets, wireless transmitters and receivers, and instant photos let the players play and make on-field decisions and coaches gather their information and make changes at half time.

Eliminating instant replay gets rid of the problem of was it a catch or wasn't it, was it a fumble or wasn't it, in bounds or out of bounds, the referee makes the call and that's it. So, many of the rules that can't be enforced or reviewed are eliminated by default.
Eliminating all the in-game communication brings back the part of having to think on your feet into the game.

That's it, the game will be better and more intriguing if the players and coaches actually have to play and coach football. I don't really care if every call is correct, nothing else in life is perfect, the more they try to get football perfect the worse the product on the field has become. Some times bad calls will be in your favor and other times not, its life, occasionally you have to try and make lemonade with oranges.

Papillon

Back to the Stone Age, no thanks. Eliminating replay would cause more unjust rulings and Monday morning quarterbacking. I will gladly wait a few moments to get the calls right more frequently. The game is too fast for these refs.

I'm fine with the technology as well, leads to better play and on field adjustments. The players DO still have to make the plays and apply the adjustments.

These changes go hand in hand with 1 sideline camera as the only angle, no helmets, 3 yards and a cloud of dust football. I for 1 enjoy the current presentation much more.

 

[Chiba]

Regarding throwing the ball away: There will always be a fine line between throwing over the head of a receiver who is covered to get rid of it, and just throwing it away. Do you want to put a yard limit on how close a receiver must be to a ball to keep it from being intentional grounding?

A simpler method might be to spot the ball at the spot the ball was thrown from on any and every incomplete pass (kinda like a fumble out of bounds as it were). 2nd and 1, incomplete pass from 5 yards behind the LOS = 3rd and 6. i guess this means every incomplete pass = a sack for the defense. Ah well, just thinking and typing out loud. Ignore me.

It would bring the balance back to the game with running and passing, though.

 

[Lunar]

When the pats and ravens play each other, land mines should be placed on the field.

 

[Rod Farva]

Have to do something about the pass interference infraction..

One long desperation pass can change the entire outcome of a game...

Way to easy to influence the final result...and allow a less talented team, or a team that was outplayed, to either get back in a game, or even win the game..

But then how would Joe Flacco account for half the yards he makes on Ravens drives?

BMTI

Make vehicular contact to Vontaze Burfict.....legal.

My take on it.

 

[GMC]

The only problem I have with the rule is that, when the DB knows he is beat, a PI call saves the day. Intentional PI and the offense gets 15 yards, but it saves a TD or a big play? There will be a rash of PI calls and any DB would be a fool not to, unless he just hopes the WR drops the ball.

You could always steal the flagrant rule from basketball. Hand checking, tug of the jersey, minor contact- 15 yards. Tackling before the ball arrives, face guarding- spot foul (if the ball is catchable).

 

[Troglodyte]

The pass interference nuance you hardly ever see is the "ball was not catchable" over-ruling.

 

[TimesRhymes99]

There needs to be a 10 yard penalty every time an offensive lineman pushes their team's running backs past the 1st down spot when that running play has been stopped on that running back's own efforts. It is a shameful and unfair advantage versus good defensive skill players. There has not been any rule against this previously, although this needs to be addressed by the competition committee this offseason. It simply translates to the exact way holding is committed.

 

[t-man]

Two feet down in the field of play while possessing the football is a catch. Period. End of ******* story, you can shove it up your ***, and **** it back out after that, still a catch.

Simple rules translate to easy calls on the field. Don't get me wrong, the refs would STILL **** it up, but there would be less to **** up.

Joe

 

[GRBman]

There needs to be a 10 yard penalty every time an offensive lineman pushes their team's running backs past the 1st down spot when that running play has been stopped on that running back's own efforts. It is a shameful and unfair advantage versus good defensive skill players. There has not been any rule against this previously, although this needs to be addressed by the competition committee this offseason. It simply translates to the exact way holding is committed.

Wrong... "aiding the runner" used to be a penalty. Why they changed this is beyond me...but it wreaks of "well, we can't tell the difference between trying to block and pushing, so we'll just eliminate the penalty"

 

[Troglodyte]

...you can shove it up your ***, and **** it back out after that, still a catch.

I don't think anyone would contest that a ball shoved up ones *** establishes possession.

Perhaps that is what Bryant was trying to do versus the Bengals?

 

[madinsomniac]

Two feet down in the field of play while possessing the football is a catch. Period. End of ******* story, you can shove it up your ***, and **** it back out after that, still a catch.

Simple rules translate to easy calls on the field. Don't get me wrong, the refs would STILL **** it up, but there would be less to **** up.

Joe

Yep all the going to the ground and bobbles after the catch crap needs to come out of that rule

 

[Chiba]

I thought there was a rule - assisting the runner? Was called in College Ball all the time. I agree in that it needs to be called, though.

Should have read GRBMan's post first!