As it stands, the NFL rule book does not protect running backs who are impacted on the head preventing further forward progress. In an effort to reduce the number of head injuries and concussions, the powers that be may introduce new laws to guard against these injuries.
In a safety meeting held yesterday which inlcuded senior man Roger Goodell, players and union leaders ground through the basics of a possible change in the law with the aid of play videos. The probable end result will be that some types of 'hit' may be taken out of the game altogether - but it could take time.
Receivers could also benefit and the current classification of being a 'runner' as soon as their feet hit the turf could soon be a thing of the past.
Goodell stated that 'one possible tweak could allow a receiver extra protection after he catches a pass, rather than designating him a runner the instant he places both feet on the turf'.
Perhaps though, this will end up a bridge too far...is this the advent of allowing receivers two or three strides on catching the ball before they can be tackled?
Interestingly, the NFL are also discussing the reduction of contact in training in the offseason calendar. This is not simply to do with injuries but also issues of 'over-training' during non-gameday scheduling and general time pressures placed on the players. Well, they've got to be able to spend their money some time!
Perhaps the League need to look at the following rules while they are about it:
1. Muff Punt: Why waste time worrying about an 'irregular' shaped ball inadvertently touching an opposition player. Just dump it boys.
2. Pass Interference: Automatic first down where the foul took place..e.g. fifty yards downfield? Come on... five, ten, or fifteen yards should suffice and cut out the play-acting by receivers.
3. Excessive End-Zone Celebration: Ok, we don't need celebrations involving players hurling themselves into the crowd, being vulgar or adding minutes to the game - but let the players have some fun and the more original the better.
4. NFL Blackouts: Sometimes during the NFL season, games are not televised or "blacked -out". Basically, if a home team does not sell out
it's stadium/seating then the game might be blacked out to encourage supporters to attend. Great, forget the sick, infirm and died-in-the-wool fans who, for whatever reason, just cannot get to the game.
5. Overtime Rule: Currently it is sudden death. The team that wins the coin-toss usually wins the game. Just play an extra quarter or find some way of giving the team that loses the coin-toss a better chance. Darn it, this is America!
It is the age old problem with making rules. Rules are necessary, to protect, prevent, improve...but as time goes by the game can change and rules can fall subject to abuse and new rules are then needed to combat this. This in turn leads to rule clashes and rule subsets and mini-rules for certain circumstances.
The NFL shouldn't just change rules and make new rules - adding to what is already a substantial 'heft'. They need to start afresh, dissect the rule-book and redo the whole thing. That'll be the day.
Back to sports betting articles
