nfl-Proposed new rule includes uniform change to skirts.

[Scorpion]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?column ist=clayton_john&id=5005206


"The difference would be that currently the protection provided for the defenseless receiver ends when the receiver has completed the catch, meaning possession of the ball with two feet on the ground," competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay said. "We would propose language that would say that if a receiver has completed the catch and has not had time to protect himself, a defensive player is prohibited from launching into him in a way that causes the defensive player's helmet, face mask, shoulder or forearm to forcibly strike the receiver's head."

"The penalty would be 15 yards for unnecessary roughness."

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Looking forward to more than a few Unnecessary Roughness penalties that play key roles in extending drives. Just change it to two-hand touch and be done with it.

So basically, if a receiver catches the ball over the middle, you can't touch him until he has time to tuck the ball away and get himself ready for the hit?!

One more rule to ensure that no team can play physical defense.

[Jericholic]

The NFL is really doing all it can to turn its fan base off aren't they?

[Naz18]

It's just saying you can't a defenseless receiver in the head in anyway...they just gotta go for the chest.

[Jericholic]

It's just saying you can't a defenseless receiver in the head in anyway...they just gotta go for the chest.

My bad, didn't read it closely enough....I have no problem with that rule.

[hoopster42]

My bad, didn't read it closely enough....I have no problem with that rule.

me neither

[iwantcougars]

so this means that they want to have the final scores like college football in all games, first the roughing the passer expansion, now this. I expect in 2 years to add a 12th man in the offense

[whatsgood5]

Seems like a good rule to me, I thought you couldn't go helmet-to-helmet regardless though?

[poochiecollins]

The rule makes sense. For a defense-favoring rule change, how about making a double-possession catch, by an offensive and defensive player, and incompletion or possession awarded to defense? Rare in any case.

[icancount2one]

The rule makes sense. For a defense-favoring rule change, how about making a double-possession catch, by an offensive and defensive player, and incompletion or possession awarded to defense? Rare in any case.

I always thought a catch that was contested the whole way should go to whoever can rip the ball out or be ruled incomplete.

[jetsjets1028]

thats not bad rule at all

[stealthyburrito]

doin too much to protect the prima donnas of the league

[ijrod21i]

Average fan wants more offense, they wouldn't be doing anything unless it made the most money for them. Trust the execs, they're much much more intelligent than us all.

[poochiecollins]

Average fan wants more offense

It's more complicated than that. The NBA is heavy offense-leaning, but its revenues were around half the NFL's in a set of figures according to some site.

[TheJer]

I would like to see the NFL moved over to HBO and the Cheerleaders wear nothing

[Cappy]

Seems like a good idea, just protecting the receiver. I'd prefer they be kept healthy for long careers. And some of those head hits have been brutal.

[DrStale]

Yeah what a terrible rule. Protecting players from getting brain damage and having terrible lives following their careers until they put a gun in their mouths. I wanna see some hits!

[Scorpion]

NFL = Arena Football League

Soon we will not see many totals under 40

[poochiecollins]

NFL = Arena Football League

Soon we will not see many totals under 40

What's not reasonable about this rule change?

[iwantcougars]

NFL = Arena Football League

Soon we will not see many totals under 40

i guess it will be more around 44, with all this pass happy rules

[filter15]

Well I like the skirt idea...

[BigdaddyQH]

Seems like a good rule to me, I thought you couldn't go helmet-to-helmet regardless though?

Helmet to Helmet is illegal, but they are not expanding that to shoulder or forearm to helmet. Remember the key phrase is "forceably strike" the receivers helmet. That allows for inadvertant contact.