NEWSLETTER
If you were hoping this round of league meetings would result in sweeping changes to rules that need obvious tweaking, then I’m sorry to be the one to deliver the disappointing news.
Kansas City’s OT proposal was tabled and Denver’s onside kick proposal was defeated, I’m told.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 26, 2019
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reports NFL owners voted to kick the can down the road on the Kansas City Chiefs’ proposal to change overtime rules to allow both teams to possess the ball at least once during overtime. Rather than strike down the proposal, the league will study the proposal further and resume discussion regarding possible change during the league’s meetings in May.
Delaying the vote on the proposal and pushing the vote back ins’t a step back. In fact, this probably helps Kansas City’s chances to get the changes the franchise (and a healthy percentage of fans) want. It’s possible than an amended proposal could get the job done. Remember, the Chiefs’ original overtime proposal (as discussed here) was layered and had wide-ranging implications. Kansas City was seeking to give the heave-ho to the coin toss, give both teams an overtime possession, and to eliminate the extra session in preseason games. That’s a lot to digest, so you can understand why the league made the decision to move the discussion down the line.
If the Chiefs can successfully tighten it up, we might have new overtime rules on our hands. Until then, let’s check out some of the rules that *actually* passed:
Approved NFL rule changes: pic.twitter.com/0mkZGvit24
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) March 26, 2019
New Kickoff Rules Are Here To Stay
The league’s kick-off rules that were put in place on a temporary basis last year are now permanent. This video shared by the league’s Football Operations Department (which often shares behind-the-scenes looks at rule enforcement) provides a refresher for those of you who don’t want to re-visit last year’s post highlighting rules changes:
At today’s Annual Meeting, owners voted to make permanent the kickoff rule changes that were implemented in 2018. The changes resulted in a 38% reduction in kickoff concussions vs. 2015-17, largely impacted from eliminating wedge blocks. Here's an overview. pic.twitter.com/RISl3DT9Kr
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 26, 2019
If the rules are doing what was intended to do from a player safety perspective, then it’s tough to knock it. Job well done, I guess. Here’s hoping that type of progress can be made with the change of another rule aimed at improving player safety.
Blindside Blocks Are Now Illegal
The NFL has voted to make blindside blocks illegal. It’s a step the league took while citing data from the NFL’s Health and Safety Department which learned that one-third of concussions on punt plays were caused by blindside blocks. Prior to this rule change, blind-side blocks in the head/neck region were illegal. Now, all of them fall into the prohibited category.
Here is a video defining blindside blocks and specifies the changes to the rule:
To expand protection of the player being blocked, @NFL owners voted to eliminate blindside blocks. One-third of all concussions on punts were caused by blindside blocks. With the rule change, any forcible contact by the blocker with his head, shoulder or forearm is prohibited. pic.twitter.com/abA2cENnXe
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 26, 2019
This rule probably won’t go over will with those who believe the game is getting soft by disallowing these big-time hits. However, it’s quite clear what the NFL wants to do with a rule-change that prioritizes player safety above all. And hey, ex-Bears stud Jerry Azumah digs it:
Finally finally finally addressing the defenseless defensive player!! Finally. @NFL Now add the stiff arm as illegal hands to the face!! Protect ALL players! https://t.co/XCSNC8Npqv
— Jerry Azumah (@JerryAzumah) March 26, 2019
Celebration Penalties Can Now Be Enforced On PATs and Kickoffs
If watching Cody Parkey attempt an extra-point made you itchy last year, then a scenario where a Bears kicker going for a PAT after the team was handed a penalty for excessive celebration could do a number on you.
Check this out: If an offense scores a touchdown and is slapped with a 15-yard penalty, the defense could choose to enforce the penalty on the extra-point or two-point conversion try. Previously, the penalty was enforced on the ensuing kick-off. But under the enforcement of this new rule, an extra-point would essentially turn into a 48-yard field goal, while a two-point conversion would be attempted from the 17-yard-line. Good luck with that.
There is no doubt this rule will eventually result in a missed PAT or a tougher-than-usual two-point try, which will undoubtedly rile up players, coaches, and fans – especially if it’s a game-deciding play. The lesson here is simple – celebrate responsibly.
