NFL Competition Committee Announces Rule Changes for 2016 Season

[woodbuck27]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2626766-nfl-competition-committee-announces-rule-changes-for-2016-season

NFL Competition Committee Announces Rule Changes for 2016 Season

Included:

making all chop blocks illegal and permanently moving the line of scrimmage on extra points to the 15-yard line.

By Timothy Rapp , Featured Columnist

March 22, 2016

[Joemailman]

Will this more or less eliminate zone run blocking?

[pbmax]

Will this more or less eliminate zone run blocking?

No.

Mike Garafolo ✔@MikeGarafolo
Chop block is when a player is engaged by another player. Cut block (still legal) is a low block when not engaged.

[Cheesehead Craig]

Also, touchbacks now come out to the 25. All to discourage kick returns. That really hurts players like Montgomery who are drafted partly due to their return abilities. I don't know why a player would return a kickoff if it goes anywhere in the endzone now. Even a yard deep, it's worth it to take a knee.

[pbmax]

Tom Silverstein @TomSilverstein 40m40 minutes ago
Interesting NFL bylaw change. You can now designate IR-designated to return retroactively. So any one IR person can come back after 6 weeks.

[Fritz]

Given the number of injuries in the NFL, my opinion is that they ought to have three IR-designated-to-return slots for each team. Why can't you use your best players if they get hurt but can recover in time to play at the end of the season?

[pbmax]

Also, touchbacks now come out to the 25. All to discourage kick returns. That really hurts players like Montgomery who are drafted partly due to their return abilities. I don't know why a player would return a kickoff if it goes anywhere in the endzone now. Even a yard deep, it's worth it to take a knee.

So the debate is on. Will most teams be content to let the opponent start on the 25 (increasing scoring) or will they kick short to entice a return?

My money is on kicking short and this idea backfiring. There is no fair catch on KO not in the end zone.

Michael Tanier @MikeTanier 25m25 minutes ago New Jersey, USA
Kickoffs will now be high hangtime lofts to near the goal line. Returns will increase. Coverage will be closer.

Michael Tanier @MikeTanier 23m23 minutes ago New Jersey, USA
Kickoff returns just got a whole lot more like punt returns, without the fair catch option unless it's in the end zone.

[Cheesehead Craig]

So the debate is on. Will most teams be content to let the opponent start on the 25 (increasing scoring) or will they kick short to entice a return?

My money is on kicking short and this idea backfiring. There is no fair catch on KO not in the end zone.

Michael Tanier @MikeTanier 25m25 minutes ago New Jersey, USA
Kickoffs will now be high hangtime lofts to near the goal line. Returns will increase. Coverage will be closer.

Michael Tanier @MikeTanier 23m23 minutes ago New Jersey, USA
Kickoff returns just got a whole lot more like punt returns, without the fair catch option unless it's in the end zone.

No high hangtime in Cowboys stadium though. Video screens there will knock that shit down like Dikembe Mutombo.

[pbmax]

Michael David Smith @MichaelDavSmith
@FO_ScottKacsmar @ChrisTrapasso The new touchback rule applies only to kickoffs. On punts, a touchback still goes to the 20-yard line.

[Fritz]

Now that there won't be very many kickoff returns, maybe it's okay if Shawn Slocum comes back . . .

[Tony Oday]

Packers benefit GREATLY from the touchback rule...

[Cheesehead Craig]

Packers benefit GREATLY from the touchback rule...

Yeesh, just looked that up. Packers were 4th worst in kickoff coverage last year. They were 11th in their own kickoff returns.

[Pugger]

Given the number of injuries in the NFL, my opinion is that they ought to have three IR-designated-to-return slots for each team. Why can't you use your best players if they get hurt but can recover in time to play at the end of the season?

I agree with you there. I wouldn't mind it if they expanded the rosters either. If your team is devastated by injury doesn't that impact the product on the field?

[Pugger]

Now that there won't be very many kickoff returns, maybe it's okay if Shawn Slocum comes back . . .

Egods! I think I'd rather stick with Zook.

[mraynrand]

Also, touchbacks now come out to the 25.

why not play the entire game like college OT?