Skoltastic_Voyage wrote:1.) Get rid of forward progress.. This is the dumbest God damn thing I have ever seen. I remember back in the day defenses dragging (not spearing hoping to cause a fumble) runners and receivers back for losses, It was beautiful.
Wow. Are you 120 years old? Because I remember forward progress has been a rule since the day I began playing and watching football, and I'm no kid.
3.) Any incomplete pass that doesn't go beyond the line of scrimmage is a fumble. (This should be law)
Oh hell, let's just make it any ball that hits the ground, including when the ball boys drop it.
6.) If the game is under 2 minutes knelling or spiking should be penalized by 15 yards each knell or spike. This you probably wont agree with but I can't stand to see close games washed because of 1 minute burns.
If I could add one rule to nfl games it would be no more than 3 commercial breaks per quarter. I can't think of anything that would improve the enjoyment of watching the game more, (except maybe limiting commercials to less than that, but lets not get crazy here).
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Wow. I have never even thought about some of these things.
As for hurry up offenses... how do you define such a thing?? and why, if a team can operate such a thing, why shouldn't they be able too? if it's such an advantage, the other team can do it too. You have to know there are limits on such things, if defenses cannot substitute, then, neither can the offense. are they not both playing the same game? I am often boggled as to why the defense cannot hold up through the game but somehow the offense is.
Some of these other suggestions seem bizarre to me. However clarifications on some of the QB roughing offenses would be appreciated.
With the new rule changes on practice and preparation in the off season there WILL be injuries like we are seeing this preseason. These guys are in physical shape, but not in hitting shape. there is a difference.
Anyone who played in High School knows this. the players today are mental wussies. No one can yell at them or their confidence is shattered. there can be no one drafted behind them for they might feel unappreciated. One padded practice a day?? in camp?? WUSSIES!!! This is the power of the union. GREAT!!
But, I digress,
My rule changes to save the game and lessen the rate of injuries is to go back in time before the wide open pass game became the norm.
1. Stop letting the offensive lineman from grabbing the jersey or equipment of the defensive player. THIS IS HOLDING BY DEFINITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This would have a twofold effect on the game and therefore have even more far reaching effects.
First, the QB would have way less time to sit in the pocket and pat the ball and let receivers wade down field and find zones 20-30 yards beyond the line of scrimmage before the QB is harassed. And receivers would have to have shorter routes and lessen their speed down field
2. Go back to the old PI rules. Let the Dback jam the receiver until the ball is thrown.
These rule changes in conjunction with each other would slow down the game and make the receivers be MEN of stature and be able to get off a jam. NO more Desean Jacksons going across the middle getting killed by guys like James Harrison.
This would also bring back the importance of the running game since the passing game wouldn't have such an advantage.
3.I would also like to take the skirts off the QB's. No more roughing calls on the QBs Might bring back tough guys like Joe Kapp
If the physicality curve continues in this sport, eventually someone will be killed. Specialization is great but we have guys weighing from 175 to 360 pounds. something somewhere is going to give. I think we need to slow the game down and get rid of the wide open nature of the game. I know that football would lose lots of fans, but how cool would football look if a congressional committee sets the rules for the game?? If someone gets killed or paralyzed again, you can bet that someone will call for regulation.
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Elenore Roosevelt. 1945
jeg067 wrote:
* Off the field :
Players who are are with the team for a long time should get a "discount" regarding the salary cap.
(Probably not with those exact numbers, but something like :
If you're in your six year with the team, only 95% of your salary counts against the cap, seven, 90 % and so on...)
I really like this idea too. I think it's good for the game for players to stay with the same team long term, and this would give both the teams and the players an incentive to stay together. Teams could afford to pay their own free agents a little bit more to stay than other teams could offer them to leave.
My rule change would be to get rid of the onside kick and replace it with a real football play. I think it's good to have a low-percentage option available for desperate teams trying to stage a comeback, but kicking the football into the ground and hoping it bounces the right way doesn't seem like a very competitive option to me. I like the idea of letting teams put their offense on the field for a 4th-and-15 play instead of kicking off, so both teams could at least put their best players on the field and let them do what they do best for a critical play.
A lot of interesting posts here. Some good ideas. My favorite so far is probably getting rid of the excessive celebration penalty.
My one rule change would be getting rid of the "illegal block in the back" penalty. I've always hated that rule and always will. Sometimes it's almost from the side (and questionable) or someone is barely freakin' touched and a big play gets called back just for some nonsense. If you look at someone's back on a return you might get called for it. lol. Any other time you can get hit in the back, why not then? It's especially annoying when the flag is thrown 20 yards away from the person with the ball. Just plain foolish. Holding is one thing, but a block is a block. If a player is close enough to block someone from the front or the back during a return, chances are that player won't make the play on the returner anyway. It's frustrating because oftentimes the guys who get penalized didn't even need to TOUCH the guy. They literally could have kept their hands to the their sides and just kinda remained in the way. No, they breathe down a guy's back and it's called. Beyond irritating, especially when it's so minor and/or so far away from the ball carrier. But maybe I should be upset with the fools doing it. But, I definitely wish they'd get rid of that penalty tomorrow!
Eli wrote:
Wow. Are you 120 years old? Because I remember forward progress has been a rule since the day I began playing and watching football, and I'm no kid.
Oh hell, let's just make it any ball that hits the ground, including when the ball boys drop it.
"Washed"???
Yup just had a Birthday, but actually I'm only 119..
I meant to include breaking the plane for Touchdowns in there along with the forward progress. It should read.
Get rid of forward progress, and breaking the plane. while not touching the ground. That better young'un? I could swear I have seen leapers pushed back out of the endzone while in the air or on top of piles.
My others stand. Behind the lines (ala percy harvin) screen passes should be penalized for not being able to throw a pass 3 friggen yards.
Yes, washed.
"It's all a wash", a saying meaning "it's a wasted effort" or "all is lost". I just used a past tense of the idiom's verb to shorten it up a bit. The effort is wasted in keeping a close game when 1 minute can be obliterated. This maybe colloquial but it gets used around here, in my house.. Got a problem with that?
My guide to being a Vikings fan:
Step 1.) Drink beer.
Step 2.) See step 1.
Eli wrote:
Wow. Are you 120 years old? Because I remember forward progress has been a rule since the day I began playing and watching football, and I'm no kid.
I had the same reaction.
MelanieMFunk wrote:A lot of interesting posts here. Some good ideas. My favorite so far is probably getting rid of the excessive celebration penalty.
My one rule change would be getting rid of the "illegal block in the back" penalty. I've always hated that rule and always will. Sometimes it's almost from the side (and questionable) or someone is barely freakin' touched and a big play gets called back just for some nonsense. If you look at someone's back on a return you might get called for it. lol. Any other time you can get hit in the back, why not then? It's especially annoying when the flag is thrown 20 yards away from the person with the ball. Just plain foolish. Holding is one thing, but a block is a block. If a player is close enough to block someone from the front or the back during a return, chances are that player won't make the play on the returner anyway. It's frustrating because oftentimes the guys who get penalized didn't even need to TOUCH the guy. They literally could have kept their hands to the their sides and just kinda remained in the way. No, they breathe down a guy's back and it's called. Beyond irritating, especially when it's so minor and/or so far away from the ball carrier. But maybe I should be upset with the fools doing it. But, I definitely wish they'd get rid of that penalty tomorrow!
Bingo! The rule is good. The players breaking it are the problem.
Rule change, eliminate that stupid no high hits. The NFL will ruin careers by destroying these guys knees, Not that targeting the head area is common but it eliminates the thought I need to go low and hit someone in the knees. Also add in the contract of the players that you agree to not suing the NFL in the future for injury concerns?
Demi wrote:So which is it? NFL says it's if you do it directed at an opponent, most fans say it's if you do it at all. WHICH IS IT!!!
I think it's directly taunting an opponent. the reason I hate these rules is because it's up for interpretation and can have a big impact on the game. a ref can think it's taunting when in fact it's a player celebrating a big play.
so don't celebrate people say. and that is what I have a huge problem with. I can't stand the mindset of some fans who think that they should be allowed to celebrate huge plays in the stands and do god knows what but the players actually playing are bad sports if they do the same thing. I really don't think I can ever wrap my mind around that.
unless you're being a complete dick right in the face of another player or obviously taunting them I think they need to let these guys play, let them celebrate, and let them entertain.
Purplemania wrote:Roughing the passer is the one that irks me the most, even when it happens to the Vikings. Are QB's not football players too? They should not be given special treatment. I may also be in the minority, but I don't care if it causes QB's to be injured too often. I label that as a good defensive play/hit and if the QB cannot get up after that, well too bad. Toughen up son!
I agree on that. A late hit is one thing, but many of the roughing calls are pretty darn iffy IMO.
So will Jared be allowed to do his 'calf rope' or will that be taunting now? I call BS. Yes, some of the celebrations are staged and the players are just waiting for the opportunity to do their little production, but some of it is just part of the game. If the poor widdle QBs feewings are hurt by JA doing his calf rope, maybe they should go into figure skating. The production value type celebrations I think are annoying, but if the fans ignore it they will stop.
I still think the refs need to call equitably, not just on their 'favorite' QBs for the penalties. It's way too subjective as to which players they call the pletora of roughing type calls on/for. A late hit is one thing, and maybe a jam-your-helmet-under-someones-chin-and-break-their-neck move should be penalized, but for crapssake let them play football. Someone is forgetting this IS a contact sport. The players know the risk and CHOOSE to do this. They also make a buttload of $$ for the risk.
~Ginny~
A woman is only vulnerable while her nails are wet. Even then, she can pull the trigger if she needs to.
vikeinmontana wrote:
I think it's directly taunting an opponent. the reason I hate these rules is because it's up for interpretation and can have a big impact on the game. a ref can think it's taunting when in fact it's a player celebrating a big play.
so don't celebrate people say. and that is what I have a huge problem with. I can't stand the mindset of some fans who think that they should be allowed to celebrate huge plays in the stands and do god knows what but the players actually playing are bad sports if they do the same thing. I really don't think I can ever wrap my mind around that.
unless you're being a complete dick right in the face of another player or obviously taunting them I think they need to let these guys play, let them celebrate, and let them entertain.
just my 2 cents of course...
I completely agree with this. Celebrations are a part of the game, and if they aren't completely over the top and ridiculous they should be allowed. These guys put a lot of work into what they do. Why can't they be proud of themselves sometimes when it all pans out? Besides, I think it's exciting for most fans, too. And, who makes the NFL what it is? The fans.
The NFL just needs to calm down with this. Pretty soon fans are going to get flagged for taunting and excessive celebration; millions of fans across the world are going to have yellow flags all over their living rooms. You're exactly right. If the fans get to celebrate, why not the guys who actually put in the work?
I had the same reaction.