Tag: NFL rule change

The NFL bans the swivel hip drop tackle and more in latest rule changes

The NFL announced 3 new rules changes during the ownership meeting. The Competition Committee banned the swivel hip drop tackle and more

The National Football League has announced three rule changes for the 2024 NFL season. The NFL’s Competition Committee voted on these changes during the Owner’s meeting. The Committee will consider more rules, schedules, and procedural changes in the coming days.

One significant change approved by the Competition Committee is granting teams an additional challenge if they successfully win one challenge. Previously, teams required two successful challenges to earn an extra one.

Additionally, the Committee has decided to enforce major fouls committed by offenses before a change of possession, even if both teams commit fouls. The rule addresses the rare situation where offensive players could commit unnecessary roughness and other major fouls without consequence due to offsetting penalties.

The most controversial rule change involves banning the “swivel hip drop” tackle. This tackle method came under scrutiny following an incident this season where Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson injured Ravens tight end Mark Andrews with such a tackle during a primetime television game. The NFLPA issued a statement announcing they were against the ban.

Furthermore, the Competition Committee has announced that the replay assistant can correct rulings on roughing the passer and intentional grounding.

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NFL changes COVID-19 protocols to allow players to return quicker

NFL changes COVID-19 protocols to allow players to return quicker, though it might not help the Browns for Saturday

The Cleveland Browns are one of several NFL teams with serious COVID-19 issues plaguing the roster right now. With over 20 players and coaches forced out due to positive tests, Cleveland is wildly shorthanded for Saturday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. To help mitigate the disaster in the future, the NFL is making a small but significant change to the COVID-19 protocols.

The NFL sent a memo detailing the changes to all 32 teams. It was released prior to Browns QB Case Keenum and S Grant Delpit testing positive on Thursday.

There’s quite a bit to the releases, but here’s the abridged version:

All individuals will now be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status when involved with any team-related function.

No more indoor meetings. Teams will have to hold their meetings outdoors or remotely, with the Browns and other northern cities basically forced to hold them remotely.

No team dinners or gatherings on the premises.

No more than 15 people can be in the weight room.

The more important tweak from a fan and consumer perspective involves how quickly players who test positive can get back into the lineup. Players who are actively vaccinated and asymptomatic can now return if they provide two negative PCR tests, and those tests can be conducted on the same day. Previously, they would have had to produce negative tests 24 hours apart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derwin James, Kenneth Murray among Chargers who could change jersey numbers

NFL owners passed the rule to expand eligible jersey numbers for certain positions.

Changes are coming.

The NFL owners approved a rule change on Wednesday proposed by the Chiefs that loosens jersey number rules.

Before, running backs, wide receivers, linebackers, tight ends and defensive backs had to wear uniform numbers within a certain numerical range. Now, they will will now be eligible to wear single digits.

Previous rules

  • QB: 1-19
  • RB: 20-49
  • WR/TE: 10-19, 80-89
  • OL: 50-79
  • DL: 50-79, 90-99
  • LB: 40-59, 90-99
  • CB/S: 20-49
  • K/P: 1-19

New rules

  • QB: 1-19
  • RB/WR/TE: 1-49, 80-89
  • OL: 50-79
  • DL: 50-79, 90-99
  • LB: 1-59, 90-99
  • CB/S: 1-49
  • K/P: 1-19

Linebacker Kenneth Murray and safety Derwin James are two notable players likely to make the switch, resorting back to numbers that they wore in college.

Murray, who wore 56 in his rookie season, would change to No. 9 – the number he wore at Oklahoma. Meanwhile, James, who rocks 33, would switch to No. 3, which he rocked at Florida State.

Which Falcons could return to their college numbers?

In the coming days, the NFL is expected to relax their restrictive numbering policy, per Peter King.

In the coming days, the NFL is expected to relax its restrictive numbering policy, per Peter King. Until now, the numbers that players wore on the field had to be in accordance with the position they play. Here is the new number allotment set to be established in 2021.

  • Quarterback, Punter/Kicker: 1-19 (unchanged)
  • Running back, wide receivers, tight ends: 1-49, 80-89
  • Offensive linemen: 50-79
  • Defensive linemen: 50-79, 90-99
  • Linebacker: 1-59, 90-99
  • Defensive backs: 1-49

There are a number of Falcons players who wore a number in college that was prohibited from being worn in the NFL when they first entered the league. The economic side of this is obviously beneficial for the team as many fans would likely flock to buy a No. 8 Julio Jones or a No. 23 Foye Oluokun jersey.

Here are seven Falcons players that some fans could see return to their former number.

New NFL rules proposals would add booth official, alternate onside kick and more

New NFL rules proposals would add booth official, alternate onside kick and more

The NFL competition committee revealed the proposed rule changes for the 2020 season. The proposals range from the fairly mundane to the radically interesting and impactful.

Among the proposals up for consideration are an expansion of the defenseless player protection to return men, the ability for the defense to get a running clock instead of yardage on an offensive penalty late in games, and the permanent addition of an umpire in the booth with the power to signal infractions from above.

Perhaps the most radical proposal comes from the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s an alternative to the onside kick as a means for the scoring team getting another offensive possession.

By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 6, Section 1, Article 1, to provide an alternative to the onside kick that would allow a team who is trailing in the game an opportunity to maintain possession of the ball after scoring (4th and 15 from the kicking team’s 25-yard line).

As an example, let’s say the Browns score a touchdown with three minutes to go in the 4th quarter to pull within four points. Instead of trying an onside kick with its paltry success rate, Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland offense could instead get one play to convert 15 yards starting from their own 25-yard line. If they make it, they keep the ball. If not, welp…

The owners will vote on the proposals during the league’s virtual meetings in the coming days. A 75 percent (24 of 32) vote of approval is needed for each proposal.

 

NFL playoff format change can only help the Browns

The Browns have not made the playoffs since the 2002 season

The NFL has adopted the radical rule change to expand the playoffs, adding one team in each conference beginning with the upcoming 2020 season. It’s a year earlier than anticipated for including the seventh team in both the AFC and NFC and removing the bye for the No. 2 seed.

The NFL owners approved the change via a teleconference vote during what constitutes the league meetings regularly scheduled for this time but altered due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The expansion can only help the Cleveland Browns end their prolonged playoff drought. Cleveland has made the playoffs just once this century, after the 2002 season. Had this rule been in effect, the 2007 Browns would have made the postseason with the 10-6 record, the last time the team finished with more wins than losses.

Chargers propose pair of rule changes

The Los Angeles Chargers were among four NFL teams that proposed rule changes.

On Tuesday, the NFL announced seven rule change proposals that will be considered for the upcoming season.

Four teams put the rule changes on the table and among the clubs was the Los Angeles Chargers.

For the Chargers and Baltimore Ravens, they want to add a “booth umpire” as an eighth game official to the officiating crew, and they also want to add a Senior Technology Advisor to the Referee to assist the officiating crew.

One of the main reasons for Los Angeles’ proposal is because they had some questionable calls this past season that went in favor of their opponent, including a loss to the Tennessee Titans in which officials signaled touchdown on the field twice for go-ahead scores in the final minute, only to have both calls overturned

Here is a look at the other rules proposed by the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens.

By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 12, Section 2, Article 7, to modify the blindside block rule to prevent unnecessary fouls.

By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to make permanent the expansion of automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any successful or unsuccessful Try attempt.

By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 6, Section 1, Article 1, to provide an alternative to the onside kick that would allow a team who is trailing in the game an opportunity to maintain possession of the ball after scoring (4th and 15 from the kicking team’s 25-yard line).

By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 16, Section 1, to restore preseason and regular season overtime to 15 minutes and implement rules to minimize the impact of the overtime coin toss.

By Miami; to amend Rule 4, Section 3, Article 2, to provide the option to the defense for the game clock to start on the referee’s signal if the defense declines an offensive penalty that occurs late in either half.

Each proposal will have to face a vote of the owners during the league meeting at the end of March. In order for a proposed rule change to be adopted, 24 of the 32 owners will have to vote in favor of it.