New NFL Rules for 2016 Season

[Golfingdad]

6 minutes ago, pumaAttack said:

That would eliminate the surprise onside kick.  Which can really change the momentum of a game. It would be a shame to get rid of that aspect of the sport.

Yeah, but how often do those happen?  They eliminated the surprise 2-point conversion last year too by requiring different starting points for each.

And thinking outside the box, that wouldn't really eliminate it completely.  If you're creative and have a decent coverage team and/or defense, you could still choose to kick often even when you might not be doing an onside kick, thus preserving your option for a surprise.

17 minutes ago, JetFan1983 said:

Hmm, yea that'd be interesting to see if you have those numbers about later in the season. The overall numbers though were pretty dramatically different. 

Not including blocked attempts, there were 59 missed XPs last year. There were 7 total missed XPs the previous four seasons combined. 

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/team-extra-point-statistics/2015/

Also, there were 59 two point conversion attempts in 2014, but that rose to 94 in 2015. 

Samsonite?  Aw, man, I was way off!!!  (Forget I mentioned it - I have no idea what I heard) 

 

[newtogolf]

The NFL deemed the most dangerous plays in the league right now are kickoffs and they are doing everything possible to eliminate them or at least reduce their occurrence over the course of a season.  

I'm not a fan of making the chop block illegal.  I understand why they did it, but it's going to result in more penalties and it puts the offensive skill players more at risk having to take on much bigger linebackers above the knees.  I believe it will make end runs and power sweeps less effective.  On a positive side it will likely make fullbacks more relevant again.    

I'm also okay with players getting ejected after two unsportsmanlike penalties.  

[Golfingdad]

8 minutes ago, newtogolf said:

I'm not a fan of making the chop block illegal.  I understand why they did it, but it's going to result in more penalties ...

It's also possible that it might result in, well, you know, less chop blocks.

Like most of the rule changes they've been making to try and make the game safer, it's likely going to be a sliding scale.  First, a few less of the offenses occuring and a bunch more penalties but then as players start to adapt (and the James Harrison's of the world stop whining about it), fewer and fewer of the offenses occur and thus fewer penalties needing to be called.  And the game is that much safer and that much less likely to die.

[iacas]

1 hour ago, newtogolf said:

I'm not a fan of making the chop block illegal.  I understand why they did it, but it's going to result in more penalties and it puts the offensive skill players more at risk having to take on much bigger linebackers above the knees.  I believe it will make end runs and power sweeps less effective.  On a positive side it will likely make fullbacks more relevant again.    

I think the chop block is a super dangerous play. Knees are valuable. I'm glad they're illegal now.

[saevel25]

28 minutes ago, iacas said:

I think the chop block is a super dangerous play. Knees are valuable. I'm glad they're illegal now.

Just ask Notre Dame about two years ago when half their D-line went on the injury list after playing Navy a notorious triple option chop block style team. It's a very dangerous style of blocking. 

Here is a good article on blocking from one of the better left tackles in the NFL over the past decade, Joe Thomas. 

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/11/11/joe-thomas-cleveland-browns-nfl-offensive-line-play-film-study

 

[newtogolf]

I played linebacker all my life, I'm pretty familiar with chop blocks.  Yes, they are dangerous, but most people blame chop blocks when in reality more injuries were caused by high-low chop blocks.  Most defenders see a chop block coming and can react to it, the injuries happen when you're getting blocked up top and your feet are planted  to fight off the block and someone hits you in the side of the knee.  

I'm good with it, but it's going to impact the running game, and QB roll out plays.  

 

[jsgolfer]

I missed this idea for a kickoff back in 2012.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/06/goodell-floats-novel-idea-for-replacing-kickoffs/

Instead of kicking off, the ball would be placed on the 30 yard line, facing a 4th and 15 yds, and you have the option to punt, fake punt or go for it.

Hmm....interesting, would be odd.

[boogielicious]

This article is not directly about the rules, but issues like this are affecting the way they look at the rules. The issue here though is Dobler was a OL. Other than improved helmets, I can't see what rule change would help with concussions and repeated head trauma.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2627142-conrad-dobler-comments-on-memory-loss-life-after-nfl-career?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool

Quote

Retired NFL offensive guard Conrad Dobler revealed some frightening effects that may have resulted from the punishment he took on the gridiron in comments made to USA Today's Josh Peter.

In the interview, which ran Wednesday, Dobler described the toll football had likely taken on him, impacting his immediate family in a chilling way.

"I have six kids; I don't even know their names," he told Peter. "It kind of pisses me off because I prided myself on having such a wonderful memory."

Although that area of his life is frustrating, Dobler explained how he ultimately isn't too bothered by it and how he's grateful for the opportunities football provided for him:

 

[newtogolf]

1 hour ago, boogielicious said:

This article is not directly about the rules, but issues like this are affecting the way they look at the rules. The issue here though is Dobler was a OL. Other than improved helmets, I can't see what rule change would help with concussions and repeated head trauma.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2627142-conrad-dobler-comments-on-memory-loss-life-after-nfl-career?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool

 

The NFL has made great strides to reduce head trauma but the nature of the game is very violent.  Improved technology and rules can reduce some of the trauma but the only way that I've seen suggested that would have a major impact is to change the helmets construction so that they are no longer so protective that players feel the false sense of security to lead with them or intentionally cause contact to the head.  

I'm not sure they would go back to the leather helmets of the early NFL but a lighter weight plastic with a face mask that is designed more to protect the face than the head from incidental contact.  

[boogielicious]

1 minute ago, newtogolf said:

The NFL has made great strides to reduce head trauma but the nature of the game is very violent.  Improved technology and rules can reduce some of the trauma but the only way that I've seen suggested that would have a major impact is to change the helmets construction so that they are no longer so protective that players feel the false sense of security to lead with them or intentionally cause contact to the head.  

I'm not sure they would go back to the leather helmets of the early NFL but a lighter weight plastic with a face mask that is designed more to protect the face than the head from incidental contact.  

Agree. The hard part is having to wait to see if the new helmets are effective. The issue is cumulative with OL, RB and DL players as opposed to defenseless receivers, etc.

[newtogolf]

Agreed, it will take time to see if the long term effects are reduced with the new equipment.  

I feel bad for Dobler, but he was one of the dirtiest football players ever to play the game.  I've read books and stories about how he'd spit, bite, punch, pull hair and grab guys testicles in pileups.  Dierdoff would often tell stories about Dobler during his broadcasts, the guy was a warrior and a little crazy.  

[turtleback]

 

3 hours ago, newtogolf said:

Agreed, it will take time to see if the long term effects are reduced with the new equipment.  

I feel bad for Dobler, but he was one of the dirtiest football players ever to play the game.  I've read books and stories about how he'd spit, bite, punch, pull hair and grab guys testicles in pileups.  Dierdoff would often tell stories about Dobler during his broadcasts, the guy was a warrior and a little crazy.  

But the good news is that he doesn't remember doing any of that.

[saevel25]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25542207/roger-goodell-expanded-nfl-playoffs-will-likely-happen

So will it get to the point that every team makes the playoff? 

[Club Rat]

This is cool !!!

Quote

How to watch livestreams for Thursday night football games on Twitter
An agreement announced Tuesday will allow the social media website to stream 10 Thursday night football games for free. 

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/story?guid=62db5e7e-fb70-11e5-b7dd-d4198ecd2a55&storyguid=62db5e7e-fb70-11e5-b7dd-d4198ecd2a55&siteid=nwhpf

 

[Buckeyebowman]

I saw one glaring omission from the list. Has the NFL finally decided what a catch is? They had a committee and everything!

[Golfingdad]

10 minutes ago, Buckeyebowman said:

I saw one glaring omission from the list. Has the NFL finally decided what a catch is? They had a committee and everything!

Yes but it's on a need to know basis ... And we don't need to know. :P

[boogielicious]

9 hours ago, Golfingdad said:

Yes but it's on a need to know basis ... And we don't need to know. :P

Same with the air pressure in a ball.

[RFKFREAK]

On 4/16/2016 at 10:51 PM, Buckeyebowman said:

I saw one glaring omission from the list. Has the NFL finally decided what a catch is? They had a committee and everything!

What a shock!