So ya think you know the rules?

It's a good time to review the rules.

We as fans need refresher courses in the rules from time to time. The original appearance of this article must change for the sake of the Archives. But the original "Comments" by the Bored will remain.

This article was TOO LONG in its original debut. But the effect was intended— the NFL has a LOT OF RULES !!!

To make it simpler in length, you can go to http://football.calsci.com/TheRules.html

There you will have everything I cut and pasted.

This is the REVISED FORMAT of the original article.

But I wanted to make a point:

There are so many NFL rules, some of them so extremely arcane, that I completely understand why Donovan McNabb was unaware of OT limitations upon a game's duration.

My favorite personal revelations were the rules concerning sideline interference, "free kick" field goal eligibility after a fair catch, and the Commisioner's power to overturn the results of a game.

It was meant to be a lesson to true fans about the complexity and the inherent litigation in this peculiar sport—and I hope I didn't alienate any Iggles fans in the process.

But personally I was blown away by the rulebook. It is an intense document, much like the Bible, and I still haven't read or grasped all of it.

It's a tough sport with a legal degree required to officiate it. No wonder they need at least 7 officials to judicate every game. I am humbled by The Rules.