Let's Change Some Rules

[rayzor]

removing judgement calls removes a human element to the game that makes it so compelling. there's a reason why the league doesn't just install microchips in footballs to digitally spot balls and downs.

 

i actually wouldn't mind if they did that, but then the next step might be making sure that all football is played inside and then on neutral ground without crowd involvement.

 

ok...extreme examples, but i seriously wouldn't mind the use of microchips and other technology to help officiate games.

 

if judgement calls are to be made, then those affected by them should have the ability to challenge those judgement calls on the field.

 

[Inimicus]

Make every play reviewable and centralize reviews. 

Take away coaches challenges.

 

Ive wanted what I call a reciprocity rule for a long time.  If you injure another player and are flagged on the play you have to go to the sidelines and can not return to the game until the injured player does.

 

Allow the entire roster to dress for games.

 

Expand rosters by 3 or 4 players

 

Compress all Byes into weeks 6-12

 

Mandate specific helmets that rate 5 stars on this list for reduction of concussion risk. - http://www.sbes.vt.edu/nid.php

 

Move the PAT try back to the 28 yard line resulting in a 45 yard attempt.  2pt conversions would stay at the 2.

[MHS831]

I say that we should waterboard refs for blowing calls.  Since Goodell is interested in making money, let the fans bid on the right to do it.  Send half of the proceeds to charity.  Win Win.

[EightyNine]

The refs have a hard job.  Im sure everything looks different on the field in live speed without the luxury of slow motion and instant replay.  The way the rules are written makes it really hard on them.

 

The worst penalties are the player safety penalties.. Any hit that looks too violent gets flagged.  If the crowd reacts to a big hit, its pretty much always gonna get flagged.  Thats the worst..a guy makes a perfect play and gets penalized for it.  I heard Michael Strahan asked in an interview how he would adjust to playing within todays rules. His anwser was, "I would just expect to not receive all of my paycheck."  I think that is the attitude a lot of players have.  There is just no way defenders can adjust while playing as aggressively as they need to.. So whats the point then?  These penalties cant possibly have a positive effect on the quality of the game, and I hope that the NFL is paying close attention to the actual effects rather than their intentions, because I dont think these rules are gonna make the game any safer.  I think its gonna have the opposite effect actually.  Total concussions will remain close to the same, because they happen more often from the players head hitting the ground than another player, and you will see more lower leg injuries because defenders will attack a lot lower.  They should go back to just throwing flags when defenders launch their body head first like a missile, and crack down harder on malicious hits.

[MHS831]

Seriously, this time. 

 

Why not put stripes back on the football so the camera and refs can see the ball better?

 

The instant replay rule is a joke. Have a guy in the booth who watches the replay and overrides or agrees with the field refs.  Allow coaches 2 missed challenges, and if he needs 5 and wins 5, then allow him to keep challenging.  Technically, the fact that a coach can challenge 3 calls, win all of them, and not be allowed to challenge again is terrible.  If you aren't going to use good refs, then allow the teams to defend themselves against bad refs.

 

I agree that extra points are pointless (no, wait...).  I also agree that the kickoff that follows is as well.  Why not allow the kicker to kick off from the 40 and if the ball goes through the uprights, it is a point. If it is short, it can be returned or placed on the 20.  In other words, make the extra point harder and combine it with the kickoff.  Why will the NFL not do this?  Commercial breaks.  

 

[thefuzz]

No fair catches.  Either catch the ball and take the hit, or let the ball bounce where it may.

 

 

Intentional grounding for "spiking" the ball.  The QB is still in the pocket, and is throwing to an area with no eligible receiver.  

[Chaos]

Allow fans to pee on the visiting team.

[L-TownCat]

There's no way to completely eliminate the human element, or human error.

I agree about having a rules consultant present or accessible though.

 

I wouldn't suggest trying to remove the human element, it's the removal of rules that invoke the human element.  The cut and dry rules are easy to correct and coincidentally are the only ones available for review.  It's the maddening "how will he interpret the rule book" non-reviewable stuff that gets in the way.  Leaving it up to an official in real time to determine a players intent or trying to define the vague language in the rule book like "an act common to the game" is why these guys are having such a horrific impact. 

 

You can show the same picture to 100 people and get 101 different explanations of what they saw.  It is up to the league to help remove controversy from the rule book.  They all have good intentions with player safety and gamesmanship in mind, but its becoming a bit overwhelming when the rule book to a game reads more like tax laws or a quantum physics dissertation.

[Growl]

I do not trust an independant site strictly governed by the cash loving NFL making "judgement calls." Not under Goodell's rule.

[-13 Amp-]

I do not trust an independant site strictly governed by the cash loving NFL making "judgement calls." Not under Goodell's rule.

 

They would most likely be trained to agree with the Refs in most cases to not "undermine" their ruling or make the refs look bad in that kinda manner

[heelinfine]

If the receiver makes initial hands/ball contact, while establishing himself in-bounds, It IS a catch as long as the ball never makes contact with the turf, no matter how many times he "bobbles" the ball.

 

[heelinfine]

And........ Either come up with a universally accepted definition and explanation of a "football move" or scrap the concept altogether. I mean if the receiver catches the ball and establishes possession then looses the ball it's a freaking fumble.

[Montsta]

I wish the pylons(sp?) had a sensor going across that could detect the ball. Same with first down markers. That stuff is too important to be handled by incompetent refs.

All plays should be able to be challenged. I know this would preset some difficult circumstances but what happened on the Bowman fumble recovery Sunday should never be allowed to happen.

[jayflip]

Instead of a coin toss to decide kickoffs, it should be a flip cup challenge captains vs captains. Cups filled with Natty Ice.