Redskins propose common sense NFL rule change

nfl_instant_replay
Photo credit Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Next week, NFL owners and team brass will gather in Orlando, Fla., for league meetings, which will include a gathering of the Competition Committee to consider rule changes. 

According to NFL Vice President of Football Communication Michael Signora, there are 10 proposals being considered, including one championed by the Redskins.

The rule would amend Rule 15 (Officials and Instant Replay), Section 2 (Instant Replay), Article 5 (Reviewable Plays) to add "review of personal fouls as reviewable plays in the instant replay system."

As it currently stands, officials may review:

  • Plays involving possession;
  • Plays involving touching of either the ball or the ground;
  • Plays governed by the goal line;
  • Plays governed by the boundary lines;
  • Plays governed by the line of scrimmage;
  • Plays governed by the line to gain;
  • Number of players on the field at the snap, even when a foul is not called
  • And game administration including penalty enforcement; proper down; the spot of a foul, and status of the game clock.

In the era of player safety, personal fouls have become one of the most important plays on the field. They are designed to protect players as a deterrent to dangerous hits and can include 15 yards and possible player discipline including fines, ejections and suspensions. Games can hinge on a penalty of this magnitude.

Naturally, they come with a great deal of controversy. Not every play is seen properly on the field and crews have struggled in enforcing the rule consistently.

By making it open to instant replay review, officials can enforce legitimate personal fouls and pick up flags more easily when the review reveals something else.

The L.A. Chargers are proposing a similar rule, amending the same statute to "add fouls for roughing the passer and fouls against players in a defenseless posture as reviewable plays in the instant replay system."

Here is the full list of rules being considered:

A look at 2018 rules change proposals that will be discussed at the @NFL Annual Meeting next week in Orlando, FL https://t.co/yjVIQFesto pic.twitter.com/s5ERWIv5ql

— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) March 22, 2018

 

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