NFL Proposed Rule Changes
The NFL has announced that the following rule changes, bylaw changes and resolution changes will be discussed by the Competition Committee and considered by the owners at next week’s league meetings:
Rule changes
— Allow any call to be challenged.
— Allow penalties to be challenged.
— Allow coaches to challenge personal fouls.
— Allow personal fouls to be reviewed, but not necessarily on coaches’ challenges.
— Make all fouls that result in automatic first downs reviewable.
— Allow replay review of rulings related to hits on defenseless receivers.
— Review every foul for hits on defenseless players.
— Increase the number of coaches’ challenges from two to three.
— Add the game clock at the end of the half and end of the game to the list of things that can be reviewed on replay.
— Add the play clock to the list of things that can be reviewed on replay.
— Put fixed cameras on all boundaries of the playing field, sidelines, goal line.
— Allow a “bonus try” after a two-point conversion.
— Do not allow players to push rushers when a team is punting. (This is already the rule on field goals and extra points.)
— Guarantee both teams a possession in overtime.
— Ban peelback blocks by any offensive player.
— Give defensive players “defenseless receiver” protection on interceptions.
— If there’s a dead ball foul, unsportsmanlike conduct or taunting at the end of the first half, it will carry over to the second half.
— Ban running backs from chop blocking outside the tackle box.
— Allow linebackers to wear jersey numbers 40-49 in addition to 50-59 and 90-99.
— If an eligible player reports as an ineligible receiver to the referee, he must align within the tackle box.
Bylaw proposals
— Eliminate the 75-player cutdown.
— Expand rules to allow teams more contact with draft eligible players.
— Permit teams that play on Thursday to designate one player eligible to return to the active list from injured reserve.
— Permit players on Physically Unable to Perform to begin practicing earlier.
