Rule Changes (what would you change?)

[ERIK the PURPLE]

I would change the rule for jamming receivers to allow 10 yds rather than the current 5 or better yet allow jamming as long as the ball isn't in the air. This would help to get rid of all the dink and dunk passes as well as make the passing game more fair for the defense. We don't need games where teams have 45/15 pass run ratios. That's not NFL football. May e there was a need for the jamming rule in 1978 when receivers were built like Fred Bellitnokoff. Nowadays, they are built like linebackers.

[PacificNorseWest]

Something needs to be done about the ticky-tackyness and inconsistencies with some of these helmet-to-helmet or leading with the head penalties. That fine for Bostic's hit last weekend was ridiculous. It's sickening because football is turning into something that I eventually may not be able to get along with. I understand protecting the brains and head injuries of the players, but there has to be an understanding that you can't have football without a little head jarring contact.

[vikeinmontana]

Obviously most fans today share that point of view, but "celebrations" haven't always been part of the game. It used to be called gloating and was considered a sign of poor sportsmanship. Unfortunately the league is more concerned about player safety than player character. Of course, the fans don't generally care about player safety OR character. In fact, the entire concept of character is pretty much lost upon the average human being today. Oh well!

wow. just HUGE generalizations there. just crazy. I was a college athlete. played 4 years at Montana state. returned kicks and played receiver. I busted my #### to just to stay on the team. I scored 13 td's in my entire career and 3 were kick returns. and I celebrated every one of them. they are memories i'll never forget. and you know what? after the games, win or lose I was the first walking to the other sideline to visit with opposing players and coaches. I had and have so much respect for what those guys did just to get to that point. I also spoke in schools and had over 1,000 hours community service during my time. so if my celebrating makes me a bad guy or low character than so be it. but frankly...I feel that view is asinine.

[Funkytown]

I scored 13 td's in my entire career and 3 were kick returns. and I celebrated every one of them.

Stud.

As far as celebrating, you should have! Darn right! Did you have your own special celebration or just the typical jumping around, high-fiving, and smacking butts variety?

[Hunter Morrow]

I think the game has turned into a quarterback-worshipping, receiver coddling, uptight mockery.
But maybe I'm only saying that because my quarterback is Christian Ponder.

[vikeinmontana]

Stud.

As far as celebrating, you should have! Darn right! Did you have your own special celebration or just the typical jumping around, high-fiving, and smacking butts variety?

nope. i'm a white guy with few dance moves! just the usual jumping up and down and playing with the crowd. it was fun and memories i'll have forever. and I worked my #### off year round to even have the chance to score. that is why I have so much respect for nfl players and get so annoyed when "fans" feel it's their right to say what is allowed and what isn't.

check this one out. these are our rivals the Montana grizzlies who I despise but this was pretty cool. ya they got a penalty. and no they don't do crap like that all the time. but the players had fun and it was cool to see the interaction. the fans loved it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5LdeJ1TH5w

[Funkytown]

nope. i'm a white guy with few dance moves! just the usual jumping up and down and playing with the crowd. it was fun and memories i'll have forever. and I worked my #### off year round to even have the chance to score. that is why I have so much respect for nfl players and get so annoyed when "fans" feel it's their right to say what is allowed and what isn't.

Exactly.

check this one out. these are our rivals the Montana grizzlies who I despise but this was pretty cool. ya they got a penalty. and no they don't do crap like that all the time. but the players had fun and it was cool to see the interaction. the fans loved it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5LdeJ1TH5w

Yeah, I can see why that got a penalty. But, you're right, rival or not--it still makes it fun. It makes it fun for the fans of that team, but irritating for opposing fans. (As if fans need anything more to get fired up about lol) With that said, I don't mind it when other teams celebrate. Honestly, it just gets me more pumped up to beat their....butts! It's all good with me!

[Laserman]

If the rule changes continue to trend the way it's going soon it will tempting for some rich guys to start a new professional Football league much like the NFl from the 70s before all these new rules and YOU CAN BET many players will jump quick to be able to actually PLAY FOOTBALL again

[King James]

The rule I wanna change is the rule on tackling. I mean, helmet to helmet hits are dangerous but it's not like those shots are done on purpose. I know they are trying to limit concussions but this is football, this is what they signed up for. People shouldn't get fined for knocking a player out cold. If you don't want to get hurt then do something else besides football.

[dead_poet]

The rule I wanna change is the rule on tackling. I mean, helmet to helmet hits are dangerous but it's not like those shots are done on purpose

James Harrison was notorious for those, many intentional (or he just didn't know how to tackle properly). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfFW-Yezv0k

[The Breeze]

The tackling conversation is interesting. It should be pointed out that several of the rule changes around helmet contact are in fact to force a change in the nature of the game. I think the actual rule makers and higher ups personally agree that football is football and it's all a risk that each player takes. But with the reality of former players comitting suicide, massive lawsuitsbrought forth and the threat of parents steering youngters away from the sport, it has kind of forced the issue.

I think helmets themselves are the problem. I don't believe there is a safe helmet that can be designed for the kinds of impacts these guys take. A helmet cannot effect the stability of the brain inside the skull. The helmet is the liability much the way that it's been discovered that running shoes cause knee problems....the more supportive the shoe the greater risk of an issue.

Anyway, it would be awfully tough to go back to leather helmets or smething like that, so other than rules and fines, what else can they do?

[dead_poet]

Meh, call me a sinister, but I would not make that a penalty. He's trying to rock the QB- he's launching himself at full speed. At that point there is no control of what makes contact first. And don't say he launched with his helmet- when you launch at someone you're gonna go head first no matter what

You can rock the QB without going for his head. That's where I draw the line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8eBWZ-zSUs

[Funkytown]

Anyway, it would be awfully tough to go back to leather helmets or smething like that, so other than rules and fines, what else can they do?

Solution: If a player gets fined for helmet-to-helmet more than once, they have to wear a leather helmet for the next game. We'll see how many of these big tough guys continue to lead with their head/helmet after THAT. There are times when defensive players are more about knocking someone's head off instead of making a play on the ball or simply tackling the guy. It's not a secret that some people use their helmets as a weapon. And, I bet they wouldn't if their helmet was inferior to the offensive guys' helmets or there weren't helmets at all.

I understand that accidents happens, especially when a guy is changing direction when a tackle is being made, but there ARE plenty of guys who lead with their helmets on purpose to try to make a big hit and/or hurt someone. I'm all for playing football like it is meant to be played, but sometimes it's just ridiculous. Guys acting all tough because they have a freakin' helmet on. Take that helmet off big boy and lead with your head. I dare you!

[indianation65]

A rule change? Tackling is once again allowed.

...wisdom

[The Breeze]

Solution: If a player gets fined for helmet-to-helmet more than once, they have to wear a leather helmet for the next game. We'll see how many of these big tough guys continue to lead with their head/helmet after THAT. There are times when defensive players are more about knocking someone's head off instead of making a play on the ball or simply tackling the guy. It's not a secret that some people use their helmets as a weapon. And, I bet they wouldn't if their helmet was inferior to the offensive guys' helmets or there weren't helmets at all.

Ha! That would be an interesting solution for sure.
There is definitely a sub-culture in the game that looks to harm people and a culture of observers who are fine with it. Hence all the extra rules.
I don't think fines and suspensions by themselves will solve anything until they kick the obvious culprits out of the league....but making that determination would be a slippery slope.

I really like the idea of making a guy play without a helmet as a deterrent. That would be interesting to see how the player responded once he got his helmet back~