New NFL rule changes for '08

[mvemjsunpx]

1. A snap from center that doesn't touch the QB will now be a live ball (instead of a false start).

2. Incidental (5-yard) face mask penalties have been removed.

[Poly Pigskin]

Force-out on passes near the sideline no longer in effect; receiver must have both feet inbounds.

[otto4pres]

Field Goals will now be reviewable plays.. per the Browns game last season

[tribe_pride]

1. A snap from center that doesn't touch the QB will now be a live ball (instead of a false start).

2. Incidental (5-yard) face mask penalties have been removed.

Not sure that this was needed or makes sense.


Force-out on passes near the sideline no longer in effect; receiver must have both feet inbounds.

Going to the NCAA rule (except you need 2 and not 1 foot in bounds). I prefer the old NFL rule.

[mvemjsunpx]

Not sure that this was needed or makes sense.



Going to the NCAA rule (except you need 2 and not 1 foot in bounds). I prefer the old NFL rule.


Not sure what you mean here.

The only face mask penalty left now is the personal foul 15-yarder.

[tribe_pride]

Not sure what you mean here.

The only face mask penalty left now is the personal foul 15-yarder.

Right. Let's say someone mistakenly hits the face mask. They have no incentive to take their hands off of the mask. That'll mean they will tackle the player with the face mask and that could lead to more dangerous injuries.

[mvemjsunpx]

Right. Let's say someone mistakenly hits the face mask. They have no incentive to take their hands off of the mask. That'll mean they will tackle the player with the face mask and that could lead to more dangerous injuries.

Sorry, I thought you meant that what I wrote wasn't needed or made sense.

Anyway, based on the way I read the report about the rule change, I think an incidental face mask grab is now a non-penalty, not an automatic 15-yarder. If that's not true, though, you're right.

[Poly Pigskin]

Going to the NCAA rule (except you need 2 and not 1 foot in bounds). I prefer the old NFL rule.

I liked the old rule too, but at least this removes any subjectivity from the call. Either he was in or he wasn't.

[Peems]

They said the reason for the forceout was to remove the questionable calls the refs have to make each year. They said it could affect 20 or so plays each game.

[blur2005]

I tend to think the college rule is better on force-outs. The defender should be able to take out the receiver before he can put his feet down. It's nice to see the NFL give something back to the defenders after the 5-yard illegal touching penalty severely hindered one-on-one coverage.

[andy7171]

The no force out rule makes me miss Sean Taylor even more now.

The 5 yard ticky tack facemask penalty was BS, you can't control your body perfectly trying to tackle another man. Flags were being thrown if your hand brushed the mask. It should only be a penalty, and a severe one, for grabbing it and not letting go.

[tribe_pride]

They said the reason for the forceout was to remove the questionable calls the refs have to make each year. They said it could affect 20 or so plays each game.

The forceout affect 20 plays per game? No way. It'll affect a handful at the most of each game. I liked the rule they had in each league. In the NCAA, you only need 1 foot down so it's not as bad to use the forceout rule. In the NFL you need both feet down which is obviously a lot tougher.