2016 NFL Playing Rules Proposals

At the next NFL Owner's Meetings, the league owners will vote on the proposed rule changes put forth by the Competiion Committee and a few individual teams. Here are the 19 rules they will vote on along with my commentary on the proposals. My thoughts will appear in italics.

1. By Competition Committee; Permanently moves the line of scrimmage for Try kicks to the defensive team's 15-yard line, and allows the defense to return any missed Try.

I think the NFL spends far too much time thinking about what to do on extra points.

2. By Competition Committee; Permits the offensive and defensive play callers on the coaching staffs to use the coach-to-player communication system regardless of whether they are on the field or in the coaches' booth.

Anything to ease communication makes sense to me.

3. By Competition Committee; Makes all chop blocks illegal.

As a former offensive lineman, and as someone who coached the position, I see the value of the chop block (as long as it is done properly), but I understand the safety aspect of wanting to remove it. I do wonder if this is a precursor to eliminating any tackling below the waist.

4. By Competition Committee; Disqualifies a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

If you act a fool, you should be removed.

5. By Competition Committee; Changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line.

This would cut down on kick returners bringing it out of the end zone even more.

6. By Baltimore; to amend Rule 5, Sections 3, Articles 1 and 2 (Changes in Position) to require players to wear jersey vests with numbers appropriate for their positions.

I propose the Ravens pay attention when an ineligibly numbered player reports in to play at a different position. There's no way players will have to put on pinny before entering a game.

7. By Baltimore; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, Articles 1, 4, and 5 (Instant Replay) to provide each team with three challenges and expand reviewable plays.

8. By Buffalo; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, Articles 1, 4, and 5 (Instant Replay) to permit a coach to challenge any official's decision except scoring plays and turnovers.

Even though it slows down the game, I'm all for teams having more ability to right a wrong.

9. By Carolina; to amend Rule 8, Section 2, Article 1 (Intentional Grounding) to expand the definition of intentional grounding.

With the way the NFL protects quarterbacks, this one will never pass.

10. By Kansas City; to amend Rule 14, Section 2, Article 1 (Half-distance Penalty) to add penalty yards to the distance needed to gain a First Down

This seems like too drastic of a change.

11. By Kansas City; to amend Rule 8, Section 1, Article 2 (Legal Forward Pass) to prohibit quarterbacks from falling to the ground, getting up, and throwing a forward pass.

If this passes it will be known as the Peyton Manning rule.

12. By Minnesota; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, Article 1 (Coaches' Challenge) to eliminate the requirement that a team be successful on each of its first two Instant Replay challenges in order to be awarded a third challenge.

I'm good with this.

13. By Washington; to amend Rule 16, Section 1, Articles 1, 4, 6 and 7 (Overtime procedures) to eliminate overtime periods in preseason games.

YES!

14. By Washington; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, Article 4 (Reviewable Plays) to subject personal foul penalties to Instant Replay review.

While these can be very subjective, I think the refs could use the review to make sure they get it right. The NBA uses review to determine the severity of fouls so this makes sense.

15. By Washington; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, Article 1 (Coaches' Challenge) to eliminate the requirement that a team be successful on each of its first two Instant Replay challenges in order to be awarded a third challenge.

Washington and Minnesota should talk.

16. By Competition Committee; Expands the horse collar rule to include when a defender grabs the jersey at the name plate or above and pulls a runner toward the ground.

If this passes what's next? No grabbing the shoulders from behind? Defenders need to be able to tackle from behind some how and being forced to dive at the legs of an unsuspecting ball carrier seems more dangerous.

17. By Competition Committee; Makes it a foul for delay of game when a team attempts to call a timeout when it is not permitted to do so.

I honestly thought this was already a rule.

18. By Competition Committee; Eliminates the five-yard penalty for an eligible receiver illegally touching a forward pass after being out of bounds and re-establishing himself inbounds, and makes it a loss of down.

I guess.

19. By Competition Committee; Eliminates multiple spots of enforcement for a double foul after a change of possession.

Huh?

What are some of your thoughts on the proposed rules?

Which ones do you see passing?