So you already know NO DUNKING has passed…and that the refs can now call New York to talk to League Central so a greater chance the correct call will be made is possible.
The Dunking is no big deal to me. I remember the "Fun Bunch" "Dirty Bird"…all gone way of the DoDo..its the NoFunLeague we already know this. But Kudos to the League for passing a rule that says the Refs can get help. Any time more sources are allowed to get the call right..its a good thing.
But what else? Here is what's new in the NFL this year..and what will be looked at NEXT YEAR!
FG POLES EXTENDED 5 FEET!! – I had this one wrong..I thought the NFL decided to raise the crossbar 5 ft higher! What was I thinking! Nope the NFL will extend the side bars 5 more feet higher so there will be less chance of a not being able to determine if a kick is good or not. A Bucs game last year had that impact when Ryan LIndell kicked a FG that was ruled no good. Was it? Well now maybe well know.
BUCS?? – Connor Barth is a stud kicker….all teams with a top kicker will do ok. Separates the men from the boys here, but not by as much as moving the extra points out would do. Speaking of which…
NO MORE GIMME XTRA POINTS?? – The NFL will experiment this year with launching the plays from the 25 yard line. 2PT conversion attempts will still be at the 2. So much for Suprise 2pt conversions! You should get 3 points if you fake an extra point and score from the 25!
WHEN?? It will be voted on again next year but for now… get ready for PreSeason weeks 1 and 2 THIS YEAR..as the extra point will now be a 37 yard attempt instead of a 20. With Xtra Points successful on more than 99% its become very boring. It will be interesting to see the numbers after week 2 of the preseason this year when xtra points will be attempted from the 20.
NaVorro Bowman rule was passed. Recovery of loose balls in the field of play is a reviewable call. It was not reviewable and that came into play in the NFC Championship game. Now it can be reviewed.
BUCS? No real effect. 50/50 chance it can hurt or help.
SACKS STOP THE CLOCK?? – Before it was only during the 2 minute warning. But now…the game clock will continue after a team sacks the QB at any time.
BUCS? With Gerald McCoy and new free agents the Bucs brought it are expected to get after the QB. If thats true..that means the Bucs will aid in their cause by bringing down the QB and running out the clock (if we have a lead- its a good thing).
FAILED! Pats wanted to review all plays. Skins wanted personal fouls to be subject to review. Thankfully neither passed but word is the "all plays" was close to 50% and inspired a lot of debate!
Kickoffs will stay where its at instead of the 40. Skins failed at that one too. They also wanted to bypass the training camp player cut down to 75; going from 90 straight to 53!
Another rule that could have affected the Bucs considering how many players seem to end up on Injured Reserve, unlimited returning of players off injured reserve failed. It stays at One a year.
Sometime in the future a few rules will be looked at again. If your playing a regular season game on any day except Sunday or Monday you can have 3 extraplayers.
Getting rid of OVERTIME in Preseason games was tabled until May.
They will also look at the idea of letting retractable roof stadiums change their minds about opening or closing the roof during games. Right now you have to decide before the game starts what your going to – and stick to it.
Finally the Pats want to add cameras to all sidelines and end zones…the NFL will discuss this with the networks.
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