The NFL revised its rulebook Tuesday, and two changes in particular will make an immediate impact on the game of football as we know it.
First, the league approved a new simplified catch rule in which the central components are now control of the football and two feet or another body part down in bounds followed by a football move.
The revised rule will make wideouts around the league happy, and while it should result in more completions, it will also likely lead to more fumbles.
If a player makes a reception in the field of play and the ball pops out when he goes to the ground without being touched, the play will no longer be ruled an incompletion. It will be called a fumble.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the NFL applied some common sense to the catch rule for the Super Bowl. But man, is that a 180 from the way they called things in the regular season. Remember the Andre Ellington fumble that got overruled? pic.twitter.com/p8ZctPyyDR
— Parker Lewis (@ParkerLewisJR) February 5, 2018
Later Tuesday afternoon, the league instituted a new targeting rule that will flag and possibly result in the ejection of players who initiate contact with their helmet.
While the focus is on player safety, and to avoid such situations as when Ryan Shazier injured his spine on a helmet-first tackle, the new rule has already drawn criticism from players.
The league will continue to pass rules and fine players more with the hope that things will change, but meaningful change will happen only when everyone-players, coaches, owners-share responsibility in making the game as safe as possible.
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) 27 March 2018
Defenders drop their heads to make tackles all the time. Running backs also routinely initiate contact by lowering their shoulders and helmets.
So which rule change will have the biggest impact next season? Have your say up top.
