NFL defines illegal hits, will discuss potential rules changes

[Auggie]

Associated Press / 3-12-11

The NFL will be more aggressive in suspending players next season for illegal hits, and also could make changes to instant replay and kickoffs.

<SNIP>

Rules defining a defenseless player will be expanded and now will include eight categories:

• A quarterback in the act of throwing;

• A receiver trying to catch a pass;

• A runner already in the grasp of tacklers and having his forward progress stopped;

• A player fielding a punt or a kickoff;

• A kicker or punter during the kick;

• A quarterback at any time after change of possession;

• A receiver who receives a blind-side block;

• A player already on the ground.

COMPLETE STORY: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6223700

Also... At next week's owners meetings in New Orleans the competition committee will propose moving kickoffs to the 35-yard line and bringing touchbacks out to the 25 as well as changes to replay challenges -- all scoring plays would be reviewable without a coach needing to challenge, for example.

[JonLP24]

1. I can't wait for advanced NFL stats to look into

those kickoff proposals as I don't know what to make of it. Of course you'll have a higher probability of scoring from the 25 rather than the 20 but kicking off from the 35? Not sure how that affects things and will kickers want to try for touchback knowing they will get further up the field than they are used to? IIRC, they moved it back to the current yard line for kickoffs to increase scoring but they are also going to move up the touchback line. Interesting stuff here.

[madinmaryland]

2. Pretty much guarantees the recieving team will get the ball at the 25.

Unless the kicking teams decides to pop the ball up, or squib kick it. Most teams will probably just blast it into the endzone and force the other team to start at the 25 yard line.

[JonLP24]

3. Yeah

I was just thinking kickers would try to kick it inside the 5 and have the kicking team try to tackle the player before he gets to the 25 which wouldn't be out of the question with the kicking team starting from the 35. But you're probably right they'll just blast it into the end zone.

[Auggie]

4. I don't get the kickoff rule either

Maybe they think it'll decrease injury???

Defensless player hits? Purists may hate it, but I'm on board if it lessens concussion risks. Optional replay review on scoring plays? Absolutely, just don't depend on it for every score.

[JonLP24]

5. The thing I don't get about the defensless hits

is are they talking any hit or blows to the head? If it is any hit then I can't approve of the one at least when it comes to the QB in an act of throwing. You can force a fumble when he moves his arm back to throw or cause a bad pass. Blows to the head in that situation I approve of flags, fines.

I do love the replay idea but I would further it that coaches should get more challenge flags if they correctly challenge the play. I don't think they should be penalized (no more challenges) for refs mistakes.

On edit- When it comes to kickoffs, I think they are trying to limit injuries in that situations by creating more touchbacks.

Another edit-Another one I'm having trouble with is quarterback after a change of possession. You should be allowed to block him right so he doesn't tackle whoever has the ball?

[Auggie]

7. "Defensless hits" is going to require some definition

Like a lot of rules it's going to be open to a ref's interpretation too.

I'm sure a QB can still be blocked/tackled if he's actively involved in the play. I think this is to eliminate the cheap shot.

[Upton]

6. Turning into a wimpy league...

• A quarterback in the act of throwing;

What are the rushers supposed to do...kiss the QBs ass and ask politely if they can touch him?



• A receiver trying to catch a pass

A DB can no longer knock the ball loose from a receiver, unless he's completed the catch? What if he's juggling it?



• A quarterback at any time after change of possession

A QB can't be blocked after a turnover? Well, if that's the case, QBs should be ineligible to make tackles..