New rule changes for the 2008 season

[Bronco Yoda]

Rule 1: Defense gets a microphone helmet- Similar to the quarterback, the defense can now use a microphone helmet. The problem is, despite all of the lame sportscaster “he’s the quarterback of the defense” references, there really isn’t a comparable position on defense. The team only gets to use one helmet, so they’ll have to find a way to implement this so that someone that’s on the field almost every snap gets the lucky earpiece. Don’t be surprised if you still see coaches using hand signals come Sundays until they get this concept just right.

found this quote from Shanahan...."I think it's a great thing," says Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. "I've always been in favor of it."

Rule 2: No more “forceout” rule- It used to be if a receiver caught a pass in the air and WOULD have gotten 2 feet in bounds if not pushed out by a defender, the play would be ruled a reception. Apparently this was too much stress for officials to try to make an actual judgment, so now you either get 2 feet in or it’s incomplete. Just as a technicality, this doesn’t count if the receiver is literally carried out of bounds (good thing they caught that). Look for corners to use the sideline all day long and just go for the big shove if they’re beat.

Rule 3: Defer the coin toss- Hasn’t Pop Warner football had this since 1953? Hard to believe it took the NFL until 2008, but coaches can finally choose to defer if they win the coin toss and want the ball in the second half.

Rule 4: Instant Replay on field goals- From now on if two officials that are charged with nothing else but watching to see if a ball is kicked through the uprights or not can’t get the call right, there’s instant replay. These calls are probably blown more frequently than fans realize; this will be used.

Rule 5: Goodbye to the 5-yard Incidental Facemask- A quick grab of the facemask is no longer a punishable offense. Grab hold and try to unscrew his noggin, it’s still 15 yards.

Rule 6: Illegal forward handoffs past the line of scrimmage are now fumbles as opposed to dead balls.

Rule 7: Muffed snaps are in play, even if they are not touched. Before: Such a play was ruled a false start.

Also, I thinks there was a tweak in possession after the catch where if you fumble it in the endzone it's a TD but otherwise a fumble any other time but I'm not clear on this one...

[v2micca]

In an odd twist, I actually like most of these rule changes this year. With the caveat that the refs will be more lenient on incidental contact with the face mask since there is no longer the 5 yard variety, like the college refs have been doing this year.

[Bronco Yoda]

I wonder if the no more “forceout” rule will help us... or hurt us... as it might level the playing field among DBs?

[Killericon]

I think the removal of the forceout rule is pretty huge, in all honesty.

[Spider]

the force out rule , just might cause more P.I . penalties

[Bronco Yoda]

It's been said and for obvious reasons that coaching around the league paid particular attention to this one and there's instructional changes. For those who went to training camp, did you notice anything.

Just how exactly, at what point can you get away with pushing someone out of bounds?

[Rohirrim]

The forceout doesn't do us any favors. There goes the fade route. I guarantee you, DB coaches have had their CBs pushing WRs OB all summer.

[Hogan11]

Never liked the fade route anyways....that loss of the 5 yd. facemask bothers me some....incidentals as 15 yders seems a little harsh to me.

Of course, I would've liked to have seen them crack down on the celebrations a bit more