The NFL League Meetings concluded in Phoenix, Arizona this week and the Competition Committee voted upon the following rule changes. This information is provided by the National Football League.
- By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the kickoff rule changes that were implemented during the 2018 season.
At today’s Annual Meeting, owners voted to make permanent the kickoff rule changes that were implemented in 2018. The changes resulted in a 38% reduction in kickoff concussions vs. 2015-17, largely impacted from eliminating wedge blocks. Here's an overview. pic.twitter.com/RISl3DT9Kr
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 26, 2019
2. By Competition Committee. It redefines a blindside block as it is a foul if a player initiates a block in which he is moving toward or parallel to his own end line and makes forcible contact to his opponent with his helmet, forearm, or shoulder. It also points out that a player may initiate forcible contact inside the tackle box, but is subject to the crackback and “peel back” block restrictions.
To expand protection of the player being blocked, @NFL owners voted to eliminate blindside blocks. One-third of all concussions on punts were caused by blindside blocks. With the rule change, any forcible contact by the blocker with his head, shoulder or forearm is prohibited. pic.twitter.com/abA2cENnXe
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 26, 2019
3. Attached – For one year only, expands the reviewable plays in Instant Replay to include pass interference, called or not called on the field. Also expands automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any Try attempt (extra point or two-point conversion).
Clubs voted to expand replay review to cover offensive and defensive pass interference. The change will be evaluated after one year. Reviews to be initiated by coaches’ challenge unless in the last 2 mins of the half or game (initiated in NY) pic.twitter.com/odMNnb3V69
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 27, 2019
Competition committee chairman and Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay said he was happy the league arrived at a “good place” with the change to the replay rules, especially considering the pace of the change.
“We were able to make sausage in one day,” McKay said. “Any time you deal in the replay world, 24 votes is not quite as easy as you think. . . . We were able to make sausage in one day, which is good for us. I think we ended up in a good place.”
Full explanation of pass interference (including non-calls) being reviewable in 2019. pic.twitter.com/Y8o01Zsjoz
— NFL (@NFL) March 27, 2019
