NFL Rule changes for 2006

NFL Draft.scout.com ^ | 8/12/06 | scout

[foreverfree]

NFL Rule changes for 2006

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Scout.com

TheNFLexperts.com Aug 12, 2006

There are several new rules in the NFL in 2006. The NFL Competition Committee spends the early part of the offseason examining existing rules, and suggesting possible changes to the rules.

Rules changes are then voted upon by the teams at the NFL Annual Meeting in the spring. No matter what the changes, NFL players and coaches know they have to be cognizant of them.

“Our approach to the game is the same as it always is: to know the rules and to play within them,” says New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

New NFL rules for 2006:

• Down by contact calls may be reviewed by instant replay. Previously, a fumble was not reviewable if the ball carrier was ruled down by contact. If the ruling of down by contact is changed, the ball belongs to the recovering player at the spot of the recovery of the fumble.

Reason for the change: Provides a mechanism for correcting an obvious on-field officiating error.

• Each instant replay review will be a maximum of 60 seconds in length. Previously, instant replay could last up to 90 seconds.

Reason for the change: Shortens game length.

• Individual players are prohibited from using foreign objects or the football while celebrating. They are also prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground. A celebration shall be deemed excessive or prolonged if a player continues to celebrate after a warning from an official. Previously, players were not prohibited from using props or celebrating on the ground.

Reason for the change: Promotes sportsmanship.

• If possible, rushing defenders must make a conscious effort to avoid low hits on the quarterback. Previously, defenders were not compelled to make a conscious effort to avoid low hits if momentum was a factor. Penalty: Roughing the passer, loss of 15 yards.

Reason for the change: Player safety.

• The prohibition against blocking in the back above the waist applies to a player of the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a scrimmage kick. Previously, this was not a foul. Penalty: Loss of 10 yards.

Reason for the change: Player safety.

• All players are prohibited from grabbing the inside collar of the back of the shoulder pads or jersey, or the inside collar of the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, and immediately pulling down the runner. This does not apply to a runner who is in the tackle box or to a quarterback who is in the pocket. Previously, the “horse-collar” tackle rule did not include the back of the shoulder pads or jersey. This increases the scope of the rule. Penalty: Loss of 15 yards.

Reason for the change: Player safety.

• During a field goal attempt or a PAT, any defensive player within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap must have his helmet outside the snapper’s shoulder pad. This will provide protection to the snapper, who is in a defenseless position. Penalty: Illegal formation, loss of five yards.

Reason for the change: Player safety.

• No more than six players can line up on the same side of a formation on a kickoff. Previously, teams could “load up” one side with more players for onside kicks.

Reason for the change: Player safety.

• If there is a personal foul or unsportsmanlike conduct foul that is (a) not in the continuing action immediately after the end of a down and (b) occurs between the end of the second period and the beginning of the third period (or between the end of the fourth and beginning of OT), the penalty shall be enforced on ensuing kickoff. Previously, these penalties were not carried over.

Reason for the change: Provides uniform enforcement for personal or unsportsmanlike conduct fouls throughout the game.

• If there is a foul during a scrimmage kick or a free kick prior to a player of the receiving team securing possession of the ball, the offended team will have the option of taking the penalty at the previous spot and replaying the down or adding the penalty yardage on to the end of the play. Previously, the offended team could either take the penalty and replay the down or decline the penalty and take the result of the play.

Reason for the change: Eliminates re-kicks.

• If an offensive foul is a foul by the kicking team prior to a player of the receiving team securing possession of the ball during a down in which there is a safety kick, scrimmage kick, or free kick, the period may be extended by an untimed down, if the defense accepts the penalty. This provides the option for a receiving team to extend a period if a kicking team commits a foul prior to a change of possession.

Reason for change: Eliminates fouling to obtain an unfair advantage.

• Teams can now opt to take the result of the play OR replay the down when there is an inadvertent whistle. Previously, an inadvertent whistle would force the down to be replayed without exception.

Reason for the change: Current rule too punitive.

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Story URL: http://nfldraft.scout.com/2/556118.html

[foreverfree]

Care to comment?

[1rudeboy]

NFL To Put Cap On Gayness Of Touchdown Dances [Free Republic]

[Mr. Mojo]

Individual players are prohibited from using foreign objects or the football while celebrating.

What, no cell phones hidden in goalposts?

They are also prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground.

Sitting celebrations bad, standing celebrations acceptable. Okaaaay.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Houston Texans beating Texans.
KC chiefs nee Dallas Texans, lol.

[Fenris6]

Players with one or more felony counts will be banned from league play?

[Mr. Mojo]

If possible, rushing defenders must make a conscious effort to avoid low hits on the quarterback. Previously, defenders were not compelled to make a conscious effort to avoid low hits if momentum was a factor.

Determining "conscious effort" will be tough; expect enough extra yellow flags to cancel out the time saved by the instant replay reviews being cut from 90 sec. to 60 sec.

[Richard Kimball]

I understand the reasoning for the rule changes on horse collar tackles and low hits on the QB, but if you look at any of the highlight reels from the sixties and seventies, about 75% of what were considered great defensive plays are penalties now.

By the way, I cannot believe that I'm in Waco, Texas, and the Dallas Cowboys are playing their first pre-season game, and the only channel carrying it is the Spanish language channel. On the plus side, the commentators seem to be a lot more informed and less irritating than Chris Berman.

[NewRomeTacitus]

So when are they going to start surgically removing the testicles of players deemed to be overagressive? I believe that the spirit of football is in dire peril from people who shouldn't even be watching it.

[Radix]

I sure hope that they left the "Tuck Rule" intact.

Patsy fan here!

[Mr_Moonlight]

They are also prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground.

There goes dancing "The Worm" :(

[Alberta's Child]

Down by contact calls may be reviewed by instant replay.

This is a bad idea. There was a good reason why these plays weren't "reviewable" in the past. If an official blows his whistle and rules a player down by contact, he has effectively ended the play -- and all players on the field are expected to stop play when the whistle blows. By exposing these calls to official review, the NFL is basically saying that a whistle may or may not signal the end of a play -- so players should ignore it and make every attempt to strip the ball away from a ballcarrier.

[KarlInOhio]

• Down by contact calls may be reviewed by instant replay. Previously, a fumble was not reviewable if the ball carrier was ruled down by contact. If the ruling of down by contact is changed, the ball belongs to the recovering player at the spot of the recovery of the fumble.

I don't think I like this. It seems like it will encourage players to keep playing after a whistle instead of stopping. The idea of down by contact was that the ref would whistle and the play would end right then.

Each instant replay review will be a maximum of 60 seconds in length. Previously, instant replay could last up to 90 seconds.

Good. If you couldn't see it in 60 seconds it wasn't an obvious call.

Individual players are prohibited from using foreign objects or the football while celebrating. They are also prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground. A celebration shall be deemed excessive or prolonged if a player continues to celebrate after a warning from an official. Previously, players were not prohibited from using props or celebrating on the ground.

The No Fun League makes a return... although some of the touchdown antics were pretty silly. Act like you've got a touchdown before and you'll get one again.

• No more than six players can line up on the same side of a formation on a kickoff. Previously, teams could “load up” one side with more players for onside kicks.

Ehh. I'm surprised that teams didn't load up before even on regular kicks. It seems like it would make returns tougher - either run into the big crowd, or go to the other side of the field away from your blockers.

The others I really don't care one way or another.

[MarkL]

They are also prohibited from engaging in any celebrations while on the ground.

There goes dancing "The Worm" :(

Anybody here ever see the beginning of the movie "Baseketball?"

Mark

[freepatriot32]

the commentators seem to be a lot more informed and less irritating than Chris Berman

Dude gay french broadcasters would be less irritating then Chris Berman

[KarlInOhio]

Anybody here ever see the beginning of the movie "Baseketball?"

Did anyone anywhere see any part of Baseketball? Did that movie even make it past the Friday matinees before being pulled?

[scott says]

NFL PING

FReepmail scott says to be added to, or to be taken off the NFL Ping list...

This is a fairly high volume ping list

[Richard Kimball]

I agree. The pileups are bad enough, now.

Also, on the review time being limited to 60 seconds, when has an officiating team ever followed the rules about review time, anyway?

[Richard Kimball]

No kidding, the Jake "Gee ma, I wanna" Delhomme bit got old after about a month.

[Pyro7480]

Does this belong in the Religion forum?

[Dog Gone]

No more than six players can line up on the same side of a formation on a kickoff. Previously, teams could “load up” one side with more players for onside kicks.

Well, that's going to take all the fun out of onside kicks.

I'm glad this is posted in the Religion forum. I've been a member of The Church of Monday Night Football for several decades.