As we ramp up for the Ravens 1st preseason game of the 2016 season, there are a few minor rule changes that will take effect.
While none of the new rules reflect any major adjustments like in recent years (moving back the extra point, correcting the Patriots skirting the rules with substitutions), there will undoubtedly be some noticeable in-game adjustments that will surely confuse many the first time they watch a live game.
Without further ado, here are the changes we’ll be seeing for the 1st time in the 2016 season.
Erroneous Timeouts
“Penalty: When a team is granted a second timeout during the same dead-ball period, or a timeout after exhausting its three timeouts during a half: Loss of five yards. Note: If an attempt is made to call a timeout in such situations, the officials shall not grant it, and play will continue. A penalty shall be enforced only if the timeout is erroneously granted. After enforcement, all normal rules regarding the game and play clock will apply.” (5-1-4)
This rule should have been in place eons ago. In the past, teams weren’t penalized for attempting to take a timeout either a) when they were out of timeouts, or b) within the same dead-ball period (exception to the rule being ‘icing the kicker’). That being said, this rule may end up being a wash. Per the additional note above, this penalty is only enforced if the official grants the timeout and stops the clock which, off the top of my head, happens roughly once every 4-5 seasons maybe?
Of course I say this, and we’ll see it week one…
Radio in the Booth Permissible
“The Coach-to-Player system allows a member of the coaching staff in the bench area or the coaches’ booth to communicate to a designated offensive or defensive player with a speaker in his helmet.” (5-3-3)
In the past, only coaches on the bench area had this permission. Not much to see here folks, keep on moving…
Illegal Touching of a Forward Pass
“It is a foul for illegal touching if a forward pass (legal or illegal), thrown from behind the line of scrimmage…first touches or is caught by an eligible receiver who has gone out of bounds, either of his own volition or by being legally forced out of bounds, and has re-established himself inbounds (Loss of down).” ( 8-1-8)
In the past, this was a 5 yard penalty. Now, it will be a 5-yard penalty AND a loss of downs. Again, this occurs once every blue moon- there were only (6) illegal touch passes last season, which includes a ball being caught by ineligible receivers- but it will more than likely show up at some point this season.
Extra Point Permanently Moved to 15-yard Line
“After a touchdown, a Try is an opportunity for either team to score one or two additional points during one scrimmage down… The team that scored the touchdown shall put the ball in play… 2) 15 yards from the defensive team’s goal line for a Try-kick.” (11-3-1)
This was an inevitability. Let’s all just be happy they’re not narrowing goalposts or eliminating kickoffs (yet).
Touchback Moved Up To 25-Yard Line
“After a touchback, the team that has been awarded a touchback next snaps the ball at its 20- yard line from any point on or between the inbound lines, unless the touchback results from a free kick, in which case the ball shall be placed at the team’s 25-yard line.” (11-6-3)
This is hands down the biggest rule change for 2016, and further proof that the NFL is trying to do everything they can to eliminate kickoff returns. The kickoff is not moving, but with the ‘reward’ of a kneel-down being 5 yards further out? I’d bet willing to be the NFL is hedging their bets that coaches will insist on taking a knee on anything that winds up in the endzone, as opposed to running kicks out.
ALL Chop Blocks Are Illegal
“A Chop Block is a block by the offense in which one offensive player (designated as A1 for purposes of this rule) blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player (A2) engages that same defensive player above the waist. All Chop Blocks are illegal, including in the following situations: (lists all scenarios)” (12-2-3)
You’ll be sure to see Harbaugh’s blood boiling on the sideline if and when this new infraction hits the Ravens for a 15-yard loss, as the Ravens coach voiced his displeasure  for this rule change the AFC coaches breakfast back in March.
The Ravens stretch-zone running scheme could be greatly affected. Defensive lineman will now be more inclined to hold onto their offensive counterpart without fear of the cut block coming (which would result in a flag for a chop block), allowing more free runners to get to the running back.
There’s also some concern about the grey area in this rule. What exactly qualifies as ‘engaging in a block’ versus shedding a block or a punch out?
Legal or illegal?!? pic.twitter.com/NZwi79go1z
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) March 22, 2016
For more on the new chop block rule, head over to SB Nation where they did a phenomenal breakdown of this rule, chock full of vines showing what was once legal, but now draws the dirty laundry.
Name Plate Included In Horse Collar Foul
“No player shall grab the inside collar of the back or the side of the shoulder pads or jersey, or grab the jersey at the name plate or above, and pull the runner toward the ground… It is not necessary for a player to pull the runner completely to the ground in order for the act to be illegal. If his knees are buckled by the action, it is a foul, even if the runner is not pulled completely to the ground.” (12-2-15)
This will be an interesting rule this season. Many times we’ve seen players grab the top/back of a jersey, but not the actual inside or pads, and although it’s just an violent of a jerking reaction, it was not penalized. The current version of this rule changes that. While players are not taught to grab the jersey in a such a way, desperate times do call for desperate measures… I’ll be curious to see how frequently this foul is called this year and whether the officials stick to just the nameplate, or the area around it.
Multiple Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fouls* Results in Ejection
“…a player will be automatically disqualified in the event that player is penalized twice in the same game for committing one of the fouls listed below, or a combination of the fouls listed below:
1.) Throwing a punch, or a forearm, or kicking at an opponent, even though no contact is made.
2.) Using abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures to opponents, teammates, officials, or representatives of the League.
3.) Using baiting or taunting acts or words that engender ill will between teams.
The player will be automatically disqualified regardless of whether the penalty is accepted or declined by the opponent. The fouls do not have to be judged by the official to be flagrant for the automatic disqualification to occur, and any foul that occurs during the pregame warm-up period will carry over into the game.”
Keep in mind that this reflects 2 personal foul penalties by the same player, in the same game, and only those listed above. I also think it’s worth noting how jacked up fans will get when a player roughs a passer twice and doesn’t get tossed because it’s not on the above list (just add beer and you have a great debate in the stands!). This rule is more about integrity of the game than taming aggression on the field.
I will say, however, that the 3rd stipulation is pure insanity. Taunting actions, I get. But this rule essentially says ‘players can’t trash talk,’ and again, I’ll be curious about the threshold here. Is ‘hey you suck!’ offensive? What about curse words, racially motivated language, or the ever-so-popular among preteens in the early 2000s ‘yo momma’ smack talk?
Offsetting Fouls After Change of Possession
“If both teams foul after the last change of possession (Double Foul After Change of Possession), the penalties are offset, and the team last in possession shall retain the ball at the spot where possession was gained. If the spot where possession was gained is normally a touchback, the ball is placed on the 20-yard line, or the 25-yard line if the impetus was from a free kick. If it is normally a safety, the ball is placed on the one-yard line. On kicking plays, if Team A fouls prior to the change of possession, Team B shall also have the option in (1) above.”
This is all about the phrasing here. This rule does not imply two fouls occurring (1 per team) prior to the exchange of possession, yet instead, after exchange of possession. In instances occurring to ‘prior’ infractions, the receiving team still has the opportunity to replay the down.
Simply put, if Team A punts to Team B, both teams are flagged for a foul occurring after possession changes hands (say personal fouls on both parties), possession is retained by the receiving team at the spot of the dead ball, and the down will not be replayed.
You got all that?
GOOD.
