NFL Rule Changes --- 2019

[bronx_2003]

OK....here's the truce. I think they improved the game with the receiving rules, or at least restored that part to where it was when I remember it to be quite simple. You don't see it that way.

BUT I will agree with you on the bigger problems. I would consider the roughing calls (especially on the QBs), and PIs as the biggest offenders of the integrity of the game, and the most annoying. I can not tolerate that every time your team stops a 3rd down pass, you have to hold your breath until no sign of a flag is in the vicinity. it is pathetic!

I even take exception when a defender makes a good, solid hit, but the player with the ball changes angles at the last second and the defender gets a flag for a helmet hit. The game is fast....they can not adjust in such a short time frame. It's almost impossible.

And would you agree....the NFL needs to not only consider how to reduce penalties, but reduce game length. That should be a mandate. Sure, penalties are part of the game. But they have to loosen up on anything borderline. Especially calls that have little impact on the play itself. And I am tired of the time taken to review and review and review.

And if I could single out one of the worst penalty situations....it's 3rd and very long, and a very minor 5 yard PI is called that automatically makes it a first down. Those calls need to be relaxed, and the penalty should be 5 yards but no first down.

Yea I completely agree.

In theory I don't have a problem with any of the rules, just how they are applied. I don't even have an issue with DPI being a spot foul, I know some just want 15 yards but what if a defender is beat deep and just yanks down the receiver knowing it will only be a 15 yard penalty. So I think the rules and penalty yardage are pretty much spot on.

Its just applied wrongly. The refs should not be told to throw a flag if its close, they should ONLY throw a flag if it is a CLEAR and OBVIOUS infringement. People would be much happier if games were allowed to flow better, and players decided the outcome of games.

In the playoffs they clearly make an effort to avoid throwing ticky tack flags so the players decide the outcome, I just don't understand why that is not common practice all season long. Surely that is just common sense.

If a team were driving against Denver in the last minute to win a game and they were stopped on 4th down only for a flag to appear and give them a new set of downs, and then on replay it was a clear and obvious foul then I would have no complaint or argument, but how many times do we look at the replay and the commentator says 'where is the holding on that play'

I watch a few other sports...... football, cricket, rugby occasionally, and the referee impact is minimal to the point that they are hardly noticed. The NFL refs play far too big a role in games, and if you get a flag friendly crew then it spoils the game. Even Brady tweeted that he turned off a game earlier in the season because the refs were making it unwatchable.

Seriously, is it not just common sense to ONLY throw a flag on a blatant and obvious infringement, rather then being told to throw it if its close. Denver are not a good team but they can legitimately make a case that 2 or 3 games were losses rather then wins purely because of poor referee decisions, and there will be numerous other teams in the same position.

How on earth can this be allowed to carry on season after season.

[CanDB]

I guess I'm just a bit non-fussed with the rule change, I just never saw it as a problem. It very rarely caused an issue, I can think of the Calvin Johnson TD one.... the Dez catch...... there might be 1 or 2 more I'm forgetting over the last ten years. I also thought they got it right anyway with CJ and Dez, if you can't remain control of the ball when falling to the ground then it shouldn't be a catch IMO.

So I'm not bothered about this rule one way or the other. I think they need to concentrate on the real issues with penalties that disrupt the integrity of the game.

OK....here's the truce. I think they improved the game with the receiving rules, or at least restored that part to where it was when I remember it to be quite simple. You don't see it that way.

BUT I will agree with you on the bigger problems. I would consider the roughing calls (especially on the QBs), and PIs as the biggest offenders of the integrity of the game, and the most annoying. I can not tolerate that every time your team stops a 3rd down pass, you have to hold your breath until no sign of a flag is in the vicinity. it is pathetic!

I even take exception when a defender makes a good, solid hit, but the player with the ball changes angles at the last second and the defender gets a flag for a helmet hit. The game is fast....they can not adjust in such a short timeframe. It's almost impossible.

And would you agree....the NFL needs to not only consider how to reduce penalties, but reduce game length. That should be a mandate. Sure, penalties are part of the game. But they have to loosen up on anything borderline. Especially calls that have little impact on the play itself. And I am tired of the time taken to review and review and review.

And if I could single out one of the worst penalty situations....it's 3rd and very long, and a very minor 5 yard PI is called that automatically makes it a first down. Those calls need to be relaxed, and the penalty should be 5 yards but no first down.

[bronx_2003]

So Bronx....seeing it's you, me and Broncolee (sounds like a song) again. Are you saying that when a rule needs changing because of the oft controversy within it, and the experts saw a need for change, and the league made the change...and there are few controversies, it was not the right thing to do? I can be stiff sometimes, but this is as clear as clear can be. Few controversies, almost no discussion about pass catching issues, less wasted time checking out calls, players agreeing that they understand the rules better.

At what point is this not better?

I guess I'm just a bit non-fussed with the rule change, I just never saw it as a problem. It very rarely caused an issue, I can think of the Calvin Johnson TD one.... the Dez catch...... there might be 1 or 2 more I'm forgetting over the last ten years. I also thought they got it right anyway with CJ and Dez, if you can't remain control of the ball when falling to the ground then it shouldn't be a catch IMO.

So I'm not bothered about this rule one way or the other. I think they need to concentrate on the real issues with penalties that disrupt the integrity of the game.

[CanDB]

Pretty much this. It has made no difference. There used to be 2-3 high profile debatable catches/non-catches every season and this season will be no different, a debatable catch or 2 will pop up at some point.

Plus as you say, the one people moaned about (Dez) would probably still be ruled as a non-catch now.

Its all pretty minimal, the NFL have far bigger problems that need addressing when it comes to rules and flags.

So Bronx....seeing it's you, me and Broncolee (sounds like a song) again. Are you saying that when a rule needs changing because of the oft controversy within it, and the experts saw a need for change, and the league made the change...and there are few controversies, it was not the right thing to do? I can be stiff sometimes, but this is as clear as clear can be. Few controversies, almost no discussion about pass catching issues, less wasted time checking out calls, players agreeing that they understand the rules better.

At what point is this not better?

[bronx_2003]

They didn’t get it right or wrong.

The standard is essentially the same as before. They just worded it in a way that makes it difficult for people to piss and moan.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dez Bryant non catch remained a non catch if it happened again. It wasn’t a catch. Falling down isn’t the same as running.

Pretty much this. It has made no difference. There used to be 2-3 high profile debatable catches/non-catches every season and this season will be no different, a debatable catch or 2 will pop up at some point.

Plus as you say, the one people moaned about (Dez) would probably still be ruled as a non-catch now.

Its all pretty minimal, the NFL have far bigger problems that need addressing when it comes to rules and flags.

[CanDB]

They didn’t get it right or wrong.

The standard is essentially the same as before. They just worded it in a way that makes it difficult for people to piss and moan.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dez Bryant non catch remained a non catch if it happened again. It wasn’t a catch. Falling down isn’t the same as running.

Ha ha....you and I will never agree on this. I don't see it the way you do....at all. They messed up the rules, and after strong concerns around the league and in the fanbase, they corrected it. And like I said, I don't see controversy these days, whereas that was the topic every few weeks, with the last rule definition.

They got it right.

[broncolee]

They didn’t get it right or wrong.

The standard is essentially the same as before. They just worded it in a way that makes it difficult for people to piss and moan.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dez Bryant non catch remained a non catch if it happened again. It wasn’t a catch. Falling down isn’t the same as running.

[CanDB]

I know I was an advocate of changing the way pass receiving was called, but I have to be honest, it's working in my books. I was just thinking how few calls I can even think of this year that were controversial. In fact, I am struggling to do so.

I see a catch or drop, and 98% of the time I know what it is.

The NFL got this right.

Now......PI and Roughing the Passer have a long way to go!!!

[CanDB]

Just read that this year is running at 18.4 flags per game, which is significantly higher than last season - 15.75 (or just under 17%), which was already an "active" year. Since 2009, the worst year for numbers was 2015, at 16.2., which means we are likely going to set a new record of some sort.

Yes, safety first, and any penalties associated with that type of play are justifiable, as long as the refs do not throw a flag just because a player made a fair, but hard hit. But it's been mentioned in this board recently, Oline holding is way up, that is, in the refs' eyes.

But hey, not just the refs at fault. The league is pressing most of the buttons. What a shame, because what could be a smooth and exciting game, sometimes feels like driving on a nice road, with a stop sign or traffic light every minute or so, even if there is little traffic.

[CanDB]

It was inside two minutes so neither team could challenge anyways. But throwing that out the window, the only challenge possible on the play would have been if they threw the flag. Then the Rams could have challenged that the ball was tipped at the line, and no pass interference could take place after the tip. I don't think it was tipped but that was one of the excuses that was used at the time.

So I'm glad they've made it where both teams can challenge the play.

Agreed!!

I am quite sure that few if any of us want more flags, more time outs, lengthier games......what many of us want is to get the call right, especially when most of the world watching it can see it! And yes, if it is a potentially game-changing situation that did not have to happen. Like I've mentioned, an offside call in the 1st Q of the 1st game of the season might not matter....but a blatant miss-call, with the game on the line, needs to be corrected, especially when the league has the tools to do it.

One more thing....you might not have seen, but I said red flag when I meant yellow flag. That was a slight of mind on my part! I have a lot of those "slights of mind"!!!

[broncolee]

So rather than give you an 80 yd touchdown, I can just foul you and you will get a 15 yd play. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Makes no sense. That is penalizing the non fouling team rather than the fouling team. CBs will be doing it left and right and I don't want to watch this brand of football. Liable to lessen the amount of long passes when many of them will only net you 15 yds and they are getting your best receivers mugged on a regular basis.

Although, I bet Roby would love it

It’s not like coaches want to give up 15 yards for free.

College doesn’t do a spot foul on PI and there isn’t, to my knowledge, an insane amount of PI calls.

Your argument doesn’t really stand up.

They should at least give the 15 yard penalty a one year trial.

[Butler By'Note]

Every time I see that non call in New Orleans, and I CAN NOT believe the red flags stayed in the pockets!!! It looks as bad or worse now. I know some folks may see it otherwise, but that missed call, in itself, resulted in the new rule decision.

Last year, they couldn't challenge non-calls.

Unless you have the wrong color flag.

It was inside two minutes so neither team could challenge anyways. But throwing that out the window, the only challenge possible on the play would have been if they threw the flag. Then the Rams could have challenged that the ball was tipped at the line, and no pass interference could take place after the tip. I don't think it was tipped but that was one of the excuses that was used at the time.

So I'm glad they've made it where both teams can challenge the play.

[Butler By'Note]

now all they have to do is do away with the spot foul concept and make it 15 yards and 1st down.

So rather than give you an 80 yd touchdown, I can just foul you and you will get a 15 yd play. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Makes no sense. That is penalizing the non fouling team rather than the fouling team. CBs will be doing it left and right and I don't want to watch this brand of football. Liable to lessen the amount of long passes when many of them will only net you 15 yds and they are getting your best receivers mugged on a regular basis.

Although, I bet Roby would love it

Fully agree with FL here. If it becomes a 15 yard penalty players will just tackle receivers before the ball is there whenever they're beat deep. Why not? It's only 15 yards, not a long penalty.

[bronx_2003]

Being able to review PI calls are unnecessary and will just slow the game up even more. I think most people just want to see less flags thrown and the game to flow better. The refs should let play continue unless its a CLEAR infringement, if its close then keep your flag in your pocket and let players decide the game.

They tend to let the playoffs flow better which generally leads to good games, I just don't understand why this isn't a season long concept.

I love watching games where they let the players play, even if the Broncos don't get a call or two it doesn't matter because its how football should be played and makes the game much more watchable.

I think the vast majority of fans would embrace this.

I never like the annual 'rule change' meeting because they always involve more penalties, slows the game up, and takes away a bit more of what football really is. I never read about the changes and come away thinking they have made the game better, just worse.

[CanDB]

There is plenty wrong with it in my book including no accountability. There is a reason we keep having these discussions. There are plenty of examples of "questionable games" too. From the current Saints game to the Seahawks vs Steelers SB. I will agree to disagree, as far as I am concerned the current system stinks.

I hear ya. Refs are people, and make honest mistakes. But there has to be a sense of "getting it right" at all times, based on the criticality of the play. If folks at home can see an injustice, then someone on the field, or in the booth, has to overrule. I am not talking about a borderline call on the first play of the season, when a team has close to 60 minutes to overcome it, and another 15 games ahead. I am talking about obvious, potential game-changing mistakes on the part of the refs.

I want to feel like any game I watch is won by the team who deserved it. Therefore the refs and those in control in the booths, have to work together to get it right.

I am not talking constant reviews throughout the game....I am talking about refs being supported by an overseeing crew, who can quickly beep them to say that a review is required. Again, we're not talking about a marginal call, on a play of ordinary consequence. Common sense must prevail. But a play like we saw in New Orleans, which should have provided The Saints a set of downs with little time on the clock, would never be missed with the aid of the booth crew.

Again....who cares how or why, just work together to get it right.