FanPost

Five Practical Rule Changes for the NFL

I noted some chat lately on some changes folks here on CSR would like to see implemented in the NFL. Most of the chatter was on increasing the number of regular season games to 18 and expanding team rosters beyond the current 53 men and expanding game active rosters to beyond the current 46 men.

I have my own list of things I would like to see changed. Some of these I have posted about before while others are new. Tell me what you think and be sure to leave comments on any other changes you would like to see enacted.

1. PROVIDE TEAMS WITH OFFSET OPTIONS WHEN CALCULATING THEIR SALARY CAP.

Justification: In response to increased salaries required to retain top franchise players, the NFL should institute an optional cap offset system that will assist NFL franchises in retaining priority players. This will provide teams with the financial flexibility necessary to be competitive in retaining targeted players in the current free agency system.

Change: Amend the current player salary cap system to provide teams with the option to assign up to two salary cap offsets. Each season franchises will have the option to designate one or two players on their roster for cap offsets of up to fifteen percent (15%). Designated players must have at least three (3) consecutive seasons under contract to the team. Teams may utilize cap offsets during the preseason to conform to NFL salary regulations. Player(s) assigned cap offsets during the preseason may be changed. Cap offsets identified at initial 53 man roster submittals are locked in for the remainder of the season. Teams must assign the offset percentage applied to each players cap hit at that time. No further changes, in regards to the cap offsets, can be made. An offset player removed from the 53 man roster cannot have their offset transferred.

Effect: This change aids franchises in retaining priority players while staying within the confines or the NFL Salary Cap restrictions. Retaining priority players also enhances a team'sfan support.

Conclusion: This proposal helps stabilize team rosters while providing limited fiscal flexibility.

2. INCREASE GAME ACTIVE ROSTERS FROM FORTY-SIX (46) TO FORTY-EIGHT (48) PLAYERS.

Justification: This change will aid NFL efforts to provide a safer working environment while improving the quality of the product brought to the field.

Effect: With expanded game active rosters, teams will be able to increase on field productivity by implementing situational rotations and by closely managing the playing time of active roster players. Additionally, expanded game active rosters are in tune with the NFL's focus on safety. Coaching staffs are provided with greater flexibility in controlling the number of downs played by individual players and they have additional alternatives besides pressing a player into action due to injuries or positional needs. This is particularly appealing when you consider the league policy of increased awareness and concern regarding on field trauma and concussions.

Conclusion: This proposal allows the NFL to enhance both product safety and quality.

3. ANY PLAYER(S) SUSTAINING AN INJURY THAT RESULTS IN A STOPPAGE IN PLAY WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIT OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE SERIES IN WHICH THE INJURY OCCURS.

Justification: This rule change enhances protections in place that relate to player safety and aids in the league efforts to protect the integrity of the game.

Examples of Requirement:

Sept. 19, 2011 (St. Louis Rams vs New York Giants): The Rams utilize a no-huddle offense as they drive down the field against the Giants defense. As the Rams reach the red zone, two Giants players (DB Deon Grant and LB Jacquain Williams) suddenly do a synchronized flop. This stopped action and allowed the Giants to insert a goal-line defense package. Neither player appeared injured at the end of the prior play or showed any detrimental effect after the "injuries".

Dec. 8, 2011 (Cleveland Browns vs Pittsburgh Steelers): Browns QB Colt McCoy takes a helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers LB James Harrison. McCoy is knocked out and is taken off the field. Only two plays later, McCoy returns and throws an interception. After the game, McCoy is determined to have been concussed and should not have been allowed back into the game.

Sept. 2013: Retired Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher confirmed that the Bears had a player who was designated to fake an injury upon receiving a signal from a coach on sideline. This was done so the defense could disrupt the flow of the opposition's offense and/or to provide a strategy to allow defensive personnel to get a breather when opposing a sustained drive by the opposition.

Effect: Enacting this rule addresses two NFL priorities. Foremost, is that by not allowing a player to return to the series in which he receives an injury, the league effectively reduces the chance a player returns to action without adequate evaluation, enhancing player safety. Also, this rule helps end the perceived practice of players faking injury to gain competitive advantage or affect a game's momentum. Finally, this rule removes the burden from officials to determine whether a player is truly injured or is engaging in gamesmanship. This defends the integrity of the game.

Conclusion: This change addresses multiple concerns in a modest yet appropriate manner.

4. REWRITE THE PASS INTERFERENCE PENALTIES TO ALLOW FOR A STANDARD PENALTY OR A FLAGRENT PENALTY TO BE ASSESSED DEPENDENT ON THE SEVERITY OF THE INFRACTION.

Justification: This change will allow more appropriate penalties being assessed for the varying severity of pass interference infractions. A standard penalty will be used when teams are called for an inadvertent or minor pass interference infraction. A flagrant penalty will be called when a team is guilty of an intentional or flagrant infraction. As the rules are currently enforced, an inadvertent foul can have a disproportionate influence on the outcome of a game.

Proposed Penalties:

Defensive Pass Interference: The penalty for a standard defensive pass interference call will be to award the offense 10 yards from the line of scrimmage or half the distance to the goal should that be applicable. Flagrant defensive pass interference call will award the offense 15 yards from the line of scrimmage or to the point of the infraction (whichever is more) and an automatic first down. Should a flagrant defensive pass interference infraction occur inside the one yard line or end zone, the ball will be placed on the one yard line and an automatic first down awarded.

Offensive Pass Interference: The penalty for a standard offensive pass interference call will be to penalize the offensive team 10 yards from the line of scrimmage. A flagrant offensive pass interference call will invoke a 15 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and the loss of down.

Effect: Penalties being assessed for pass interference infractions will be more in line with the magnitude of the fouls called. This change would end the huge yardages assessed on penalties being awarded on unintentional fouls.

Conclusion: This change provides for more appropriate penalties regarding pass interference.

5. ELIMINATE THE PREGAME COIN TOSS. VISITING TEAMS ARE GIVEN THE OPTION AT THE START OF GAMES. SHOULD OVERTIME BE REQUIRED, HOME TEAMS WILL BE GIVEN THE OPTION.

Justification: This change will streamline pre-game procedures. Additionally, the possibility of error and/or confusion in the coin toss procedure will be eliminated.

Example of Justification: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions - Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26) 1998. Referee Phil Luckett conducts a coin toss for a required overtime. The Steeler's Jerome Bettis calls tails. The toss is tails but the Lions are awarded the option. The Steelers question the call and TV commentators say on air that the call was tails. Detroit goes on to win in the overtime period. After a review of the situation, the NFL responds by changing the coin toss procedure to require both calling the toss and confirming the call prior to the toss actually taking place.

Effect: Implementing this change provides the structure needed for a seamless start to games. Visiting teams are given a tool to dictate how the first possession of the game is initiated. This may partially offset an inherent home field advantage. Fans benefit because the home team cannot lose an overtime game without having had an opportunity to receive the ball.

Super Bowl Exception: A coin toss will continue to be utilized for the NFL Championship Game. During the two week period between AFC/NFC Championships and the League Championship, the NFL will conduct a coin toss to identify the home team for the NFL Championship Game. Once the home team is established, the normal pregame procedures will be used.

Note: I foresee the NFL integrating the coin toss into current pregame ceremonies to provide a new signature event during the weekend prior to the NFL Championship Game. By incorporating special guests and/or dignitaries and continuing the use of a specially minted coin, the NFL will maintain tradition while bringing more stature to the procedure.

Conclusion: This change streamlines and standardizes the game day process.

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