Bronco Yoda
08-14-2007, 04:02 AM
Here are the interesting ones I've heard about. I'm sure there's more...
INSTANT REPLAY: Made permanent with new high-definition replay equipment and goofy little curtains.
...Also made permanent in the replay system is “down-by-contact” as a reviewable play and each review being limited to a maximum of 60 seconds.
SPIKING OF BALL: Now a five-yard penalty for spiking or throwing the ball after a down has ended, except for after a touchdown.
PACE OF GAME: The foul for unintentional touching of a forward pass by an interior lineman has been eliminated. It was felt that no advantage was gained by the offense on such a play, and elimination of the rule would speed up the game.
PLAYER SAFETY: Now a 15-yard penalty (rather than five yards) for a player to make a block below the waist against an eligible receiver while the quarterback is in the pocket. Also, when a player who receives the snap fumbles or muffs the ball, the restrictions on the defensive team relative to illegal contact and an illegal cut- block will end.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING/10-SECOND RUNOFF: The requirement that the offense has to be behind in the score or the score has to be tied for a 10-second clock runoff to be exercised against the offense for an excess timeout with two minutes to go in the first half or in the game has been eliminated. Now a 10-second runoff will take place no matter what the game situation. Any possible advantage for the offense (e.g., the old rule would not require a 10-second runoff if it were ahead) has been eliminated. The defense has the option to decline a 10-second runoff (which will give it more time should it get the ball back).
CLOCK STOPPAGE: Two exceptions were added to the rule that dictates that the play clock be restarted at the time at which it was stopped prior to the snap. Now an instant replay review prior to the two-minute warning will reset the clock at 25 seconds (as has been the case with other stoppages such as a penalty), as will an instant replay review after the two-minute warning that results in a reversal. These changes will make the administration of the rule more consistent.
CROWD NOISE: The five-yard penalty against the defense for excessive crowd noise has been eliminated. The penalty had not been called in many years.
PYLON TOUCHDOWNS: Has been revisited and clarified. Previously, a player just had to have some portion of his body over the goal line or pylon to count a touchdown, but the rule has been revised for 2007 to make it necessary to have the ball touch the pylon or break the plane above the pylon to count as a touchdown.
I've also read that officials will be watching hits on the quarterback, defensive holding on receivers, taunting and helmet-to-helmet hits. In light of recent reports concerning post-concussion syndrome, the league also has decided to tightly enforce its rule requiring players to wear fully attached chinstraps, instead of leaving one buckle undone.
I noticed that the league is toying with the idea of the ump lined up behind the O line. They seem to be experimenting with this during the preseason games for possible future changes.
Are there any other changes this year I've missed?
I'm glad to see the 'down-by-contact' change.
INSTANT REPLAY: Made permanent with new high-definition replay equipment and goofy little curtains.
...Also made permanent in the replay system is “down-by-contact” as a reviewable play and each review being limited to a maximum of 60 seconds.
SPIKING OF BALL: Now a five-yard penalty for spiking or throwing the ball after a down has ended, except for after a touchdown.
PACE OF GAME: The foul for unintentional touching of a forward pass by an interior lineman has been eliminated. It was felt that no advantage was gained by the offense on such a play, and elimination of the rule would speed up the game.
PLAYER SAFETY: Now a 15-yard penalty (rather than five yards) for a player to make a block below the waist against an eligible receiver while the quarterback is in the pocket. Also, when a player who receives the snap fumbles or muffs the ball, the restrictions on the defensive team relative to illegal contact and an illegal cut- block will end.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING/10-SECOND RUNOFF: The requirement that the offense has to be behind in the score or the score has to be tied for a 10-second clock runoff to be exercised against the offense for an excess timeout with two minutes to go in the first half or in the game has been eliminated. Now a 10-second runoff will take place no matter what the game situation. Any possible advantage for the offense (e.g., the old rule would not require a 10-second runoff if it were ahead) has been eliminated. The defense has the option to decline a 10-second runoff (which will give it more time should it get the ball back).
CLOCK STOPPAGE: Two exceptions were added to the rule that dictates that the play clock be restarted at the time at which it was stopped prior to the snap. Now an instant replay review prior to the two-minute warning will reset the clock at 25 seconds (as has been the case with other stoppages such as a penalty), as will an instant replay review after the two-minute warning that results in a reversal. These changes will make the administration of the rule more consistent.
CROWD NOISE: The five-yard penalty against the defense for excessive crowd noise has been eliminated. The penalty had not been called in many years.
PYLON TOUCHDOWNS: Has been revisited and clarified. Previously, a player just had to have some portion of his body over the goal line or pylon to count a touchdown, but the rule has been revised for 2007 to make it necessary to have the ball touch the pylon or break the plane above the pylon to count as a touchdown.
I've also read that officials will be watching hits on the quarterback, defensive holding on receivers, taunting and helmet-to-helmet hits. In light of recent reports concerning post-concussion syndrome, the league also has decided to tightly enforce its rule requiring players to wear fully attached chinstraps, instead of leaving one buckle undone.
I noticed that the league is toying with the idea of the ump lined up behind the O line. They seem to be experimenting with this during the preseason games for possible future changes.
Are there any other changes this year I've missed?
I'm glad to see the 'down-by-contact' change.