NFL: New Season, New Rules For 2014-15
by David Parada
If there is one cliché I’ve heard often during my short life on earth it’s this, “The only constant is change.” Change is the name of the game every year in the NFL and the upcoming season will be no exception. Several rule changes will be enforced this upcoming season to ensure safety, speed, and the league’s reputation. What has become the norm for the league? A lot of the changes in rules are reactive (remember the Immaculate Reception or the Holy Roller?). How the changes will affect the game, and the Chargers, won’t be known until the regular season begins. Here’s a brief rundown.
1. Roger Goodell would like to remove the point after touchdown attempts from the game. This rule change won’t be permanent this season. However, as fans may have noticed, extra point attempts have been moved to the 15 yard line. Two point conversions will still originate from the two-yard line. Also, and I didn’t notice this change last week, the goal posts are taller by five feet. No more close calls in the event that a kick gets too close to the uprights. This change is due to Justin Tucker’s questionable game winner over New England in 2012.
2. Player safety is a top priority for the league. A couple of new rules were approved to address this issue. First, offensive players can no longer roll up on defensive players from the side. Normally, players weren’t allowed to roll up from behind. Now, the rule has been amended to include rolling up the side of a defender’s leg. Hands to face no longer has to be prolonged contact. Any contact will result in an illegal use of hands penalty and 10 yards.
3. In what is being called the “Navarro Bowman Rule,” all fumbles are now reviewable. Normally, a fumble was only reviewable if it happened in the end zone. Now all fumbles will be reviewable. Warning: the video below is hard to watch.
4. In order to speed up the game, officials will no longer stop the game clock if a quarterback is sacked after the two-minute warning. It’s good thing Chargers Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich is installing the no huddle offense.
5. Slam dunking the ball through the goalpost will now result in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Yes, there will no Jimmy Graham knocking the goal post off-balance delays. Soon, most players will have to channel their inner Barry Sanders and hand the ball to the official.
6. In light of recent social developments, the NFL is cracking down on what is essentially trash talk. As stated on the official NFL video, abusive language will include words that address a player’s race and/or sexual orientation. Coaches, game officials, and league representatives will held to the same high standard and such trash talk cannot be directed their way. The resulting penalty is 15 yards.
7. Contact before a pass will be closely scrutinized this season. In effect, defenders will no longer be allowed to lay a hand on a receiver after the 5 yard buffer zone and if the quarterback is still in the pocket. Additionally, defenders are no longer permitted to grab a receiver before a pass has been thrown. It will not matter if the hold impedes a receivers movement. Defensive holding will result in a five yard penalty. Offensive pass inference, a ten yard penalty, will be called if a receiver pushes off on a defender to catch a ball.
8. Player movement on the line of scrimmage will be watched closely. Offensive lineman (particularly centers) will be given five yard false start penalties for jerky movements that might signify the start of the play. Watch out for this penalty during shotgun formations when the center has to look back before snapping the ball.
9. Although some rules have been implemented to speed up the game, one rule change that might have an opposite effect will permit officials while at the replay booth to consult with the league officiating department. My guess is it’s like giving an official a lifeline if the official isn’t certain.
Cross-posted from the Boltblitz.com