The NFL’s annual conference this week in Orlando resulted in some significant changes to the rule book. Now is the time to review the most important ones and give you a personal assessment of each of these changes.
1. New kickoff format
Kicking off a new era: Owners just approved the NFL Hybrid Kickoff rule, per source.
After years of tweaks turned one of the game’s most exciting moments into a “dead, ceremonial play”, the league hopes this overhaul will yield what it wants: fewer injuries and more returns. pic.twitter.com/jHLAjZJm0z
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 26, 2024
The NFL competition committee has observed for several years a significant decline in the number of kickoff returns, a play that has often been spectacular in the past. According to the new rule, the kicking team will have 10 of its 11 players (except the kicker) at the opponent’s 40 line. The receiving team will position its players between its 30 and 35 yard lines. Neither team will be able to move until the ball touches a player or the ground. The violence of contact will thus be greatly reduced. The kick must land between the end zone and the 20 line and in this zone, the returner cannot claim immunity. If the kick falls into the end zone and is not returned or crosses the end zone, the ball will be placed at the 30 line. This is, broadly speaking, a format largely inspired by the XFL, where there are more returns and few injuries. The formula, adopted by 29 teams against 3, will be re-evaluated at the end of the season.
VERDICT: I like! Obviously, players and spectators will have to adapt, but the kickoff return had become a waste of time. Last season, only 15% of kicks were returned, depriving fans of an often exciting game that can have a major impact.
2. A banned form of tackling
The NFL wanted to ban the hip drop tackle and she achieved her goals. This is a tackle in which the defensive player grabs the offensive player and then drops all his weight onto the field. Often, the player with the ball finds their leg or ankle trapped under the tackler. The NFL estimates that the risk of injury is 25% higher with this tackling technique than with other techniques. A 15-yard penalty with automatic first down will be applied. The measure was unanimously approved by the 32 teams, but criticized by the players.
VERDICT: I do not like! It is undeniable that injuries occur with hip drop tackle, but the strike zone for defensive players becomes incredibly small. They will be able to adapt over time, but the first years could be difficult for them. The fact remains that a few years ago, when the NFL adopted regulations to reduce hits to the head, many players and fans were scandalized. Today, it’s hard not to see the benefits. Where it hangs is that the referees who are already heavily stressed will find themselves with another game which is open to interpretation in their hands. There will inevitably be more refereeing controversies and that is not desirable.
3. One more “challenge”
Photo d’archives, AFP
The measure was proposed by the Lions and was adopted. From now on, a coach who wins a challenge to a referee’s decision will be able to benefit from a third appeal in a match. Before this measure was implemented, coaches were limited to two appeals, whether the referee’s decision was overturned or not. In the event that a coach is wrong on his two calls, he will not benefit from a third.
VERDICT: I like! How can you not approve? This is completely logical and reduces the risk of a bad decision that cannot be reversed.
4. Corrected decisions
THIS was just flagged for Roughing The Passer 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/Qugl8IqWKn
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 5, 2023
The official who acts as a video replay assistant will have more power this season. He will in fact have the opportunity to correct the decisions of the referees in the case of two specific infractions, namely punishments for roughness against the quarterback and cases where the quarterback deliberately gets rid of the ball (intentional grounding). Thus, if a quarterback was not hit in the head and a roughing penalty was awarded to the defense, it may be overturned. Same thing if a quarterback disposes of the ball outside his protective pocket and a penalty was called against him in error.
VERDICT: I like! This is a step in the right direction, although the NFL could do even more in this direction. Unnecessary harshness penalties against the quarterback cast a shadow over several games.
5. Trade deadline moved
The Steelers offered to push back the trade deadline to the Tuesday after week 9. The Browns wanted to go even further by proposing the Tuesday after week 10. It was ultimately the Steelers’ option that was chosen. Until 2012, the deadline was set at week 6, then it has since been moved to week 8.
VERDICT: Mixed… It’s good to push back a week, but with the numerous injuries and an 18-week schedule (including 17 games), a postponement to week 10 would have brought even more movement and therefore interest. It’s a good step, but the NHL is holding its trade deadline 78% of the way through the season. In the NBA or major league baseball, it’s around 65%. The NFL blocks any trade halfway through.
2024-03-26 16:09:42
#NFL #kickoffs
