The NFL owners have been changing the rules of the game ever since the league was formed in 1920. Some changes have had a major impact on the sport while others are barely noticeable.
Whether big or small, the changes were made to increase the fan's enjoyment of the game and to protect the players from unnecessary injury.
Many years ago the goal posts lost a leg and then were moved from the goal line to the back of the end zone. The cross bar was shortened and the uprights were lengthened.
The kickoff was moved from the 40 yard line to the 35, to the 30 and now back to the 35.
The hash marks were moved closer together and a 2-point conversion was added.
The biggest change has to be the use of instant replay to help the officials in getting the call correct. It was first used in 1986, then shelved in 1992, but reinstated in 1999. Replay, along with the coach's challenge and the refinement of hi-definition TV, have shrunk football down from a game of inches to a game of millimeters.
So here are some new changes that I'd like to see. Some are crazy and outlandish, but others may just be part of the game sometime in the near future.
* I'd like to see the hash marks moved back out to where college football has them. It would create a true wide side of the field, changing both the offensive scheme and how to defend against it.
* I like the college rule requiring only one foot to be inbounds to have a completed pass and a player is down when his knee hits the ground whether he's touched or not.
* Since the quarterback has so many rules that limit how a defensive player can tackle him, he should not be considered a runner. In fact, I don't think he should be allowed to run at all. I would make him stay behind the line of scrimmage unless he was catching a pass.
* I would get rid of all the illegal formation rules. If an offense wants to send 10 guys to the line of scrimmage, why not? I would also make every offensive player eligible to be a receiver. All defensive players are allowed to intercept a pass, so why not let those big 300 pound linemen have a little fun too.
* My most off-the-wall idea is punishing a team when they commit a personal foul. Along with the 15 yard penalty, the offending player would be required to sit out one play leaving his team a man short. They could even build a little penalty box near the end zone. Hey, it works for hockey.
* I would eliminate the rule that penalizes a player who uses leverage to help him block a field goal try. If he wants to sit on his teammate's shoulders, let him. If the kicker can't get the ball up quickly enough then the holder should move back a few more yards.
* The major concerns in the NFL right now are the concussions caused by head-to-head collisions. My answer is to either pad 'em up or pad 'em down.
In the 70's and 80's, players wore arm pads, elbow pads, knee pads, big hip and thigh pads and huge shoulder pads. Today, players have stripped off their protection in order to gain more speed.
The big pads ought to be required again along with a thick foam coating on the outside of the helmet. Of course this would make the players look like the Michelin Man but it would slow the game down enough to keep people safer.
If you don't like that solution then pad 'em down.
Australian rules football players don't wear any pads and they still tackle. I don't recommend removing all the gear, just the facemask. There was a time when helmets didn't have them. A player will tackle with his shoulder when he's afraid to hurt his own face.
* Field goal scoring needs to be revised and it may happen sooner than you think. Kicks that are 25 yards or shorter should be worth 1 point only. 25 to 35 yards would be worth 2 points. 35 to 50 yards would be 3 points. And anything over 50 yards is a 4 pointer. This would certainly change the strategy of the play calling, especially at the end of the game.
* Finally, I would move the kick off back to the 30 yard line and award 1 point to the kicking team for a touchback if it's kicked through the end zone and 2 points if the receiving team takes a knee.
* I also wish TV would show the drunk fans who run onto the field during the game. I'd love to see security tackle them and drag the dimwits away.
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This dumb fawker did not even mention the one rule change that has to be enforced !
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INTENTIONAL RIPPING !
