The Prophet
EOG Dedicated
These new rules will have an impact on NFL
PALM BEACH, Fla. - The New York Giants overcame long odds to win Super Bowl XLII, but team co-owner John Mara quickly knew Wednesday he had no shot of pulling an even bigger upset:
Getting enough team owners to approve a new playoff seeding format at the league's annual meeting.
A proposal that would have used records rather than standing as a division winner to determine home-field advantage didn't even receive enough support to garner an owners vote.
"I was surprised at how little support there was," said Mara, who had championed the idea. "Clearly, opponents of that rule had done their lobbying behind the scenes and were very effective."
As a wild-card team last season, the Giants headed to Tampa Bay for a first-round playoff game. New York (10-6) had a better record than the Bucs (9-7), but Tampa Bay had won the NFC South. The AFC had a similar scenario with AFC South runner-up Jacksonville (11-5) playing at AFC North champion Pittsburgh (9-7).
"I don't like the idea of a 12-4 wild-card having to travel to a 9-7 or 8-8 division winner," Mara said. "That strikes me as unfair, but it's not the end of the world."
Mara should know. The Giants won all three of their playoff games on the road last season en route to defeating New England in the Super Bowl. Two seasons ago, Pittsburgh did the same when winning a title as a No. 6 seed. Such success for visiting teams has made some owners believe a seeding change isn't necessary.
Other clubs were concerned about diminishing the importance of winning a division and relinquishing the financial windfall that comes with hosting a home playoff game by doing so. Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis spoke Tuesday about the benefits his team would experience if the Bengals won the AFC North.
"When you're selling to your fans that you compete against Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, can beat those teams and have an opportunity to get a home game for them, I would hate to see us go away from that model," Lewis said.
Conversely, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell believed re-seeding could spice up what is becoming a largely meaningless Week 17. Only two of the 16 season finales -- Washington vs. Dallas and Tennessee vs. Indianapolis -- had a direct impact on the playoffs. The Cowboys and Colts both rested starters for the playoffs, giving the Redskins and Titans an easier path to securing wild-card berths with victories.
"We have a responsibility to take a good hard look at this," said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who also rested his starters in Week 17 with his playoff seeding secured. "It makes sense to have games be as competitive as possible and be more fun for the fans and viewers. It's healthier for our game to have everything count."
Told he suffered a "humiliating loss" with the proposal's overwhelming rejection, a laughing Mara said, "That's OK. It's been a pretty good year."
Other proposals voted upon Tuesday and Wednesday fared much better. Here's a look at some of the changes coming to the NFL this season after being approved by at least three-fourths (24) of the league's owners:
A communication device is now allowed in the helmet of one defensive player.
Impact: This will give defensive coordinators a quicker and more efficient way of calling plays. But just like when the technology was installed in quarterback helmets, there will be some growing pains. The designated defender must grow accustomed to relaying calls that are being spoken rather than signaled from the sideline. Offenses may use more hurry-up attacks and sugar huddles hoping to exploit clubs with communication problems, as the device is turned off after 15 seconds like with quarterbacks. Teams also must identify an every-down player to handle the role, which isn't easy for teams like New England that frequently substitute personnel.
"The concept of it is fine but the logistics of it are a little bit of a different story," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick, whose team was one of 25 to vote in favor of the proposal. "You don't always have a quarterback in the game on defense like you do on offense. ... I don't think it's as easy to do on defense."
Teams that win the coin toss can now defer until the second half.
Impact: Significant. NFL officiating chief Mike Pereira said the majority of college coaches in 2007 opted to defer and receive the second-half kickoff.
"I think you may see deferrals later in the year as you have weather issues," said Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who is the co-chairman of the NFL's competition committee. "If you've got a club that's known for playing good defense, you could see them [defer]. It's going to be interesting to see what the philosophies are going to be."
Unless literally carried out by a defensive player, receivers must land with two feet inbounds for a completion.
Impact: This "force out" rule takes pressure off sideline officials, who are sometimes forced to make difficult judgment calls. Pereira said that half of the 16 force outs last season were ruled correctly. The change eliminates the guess work.
The five-yard face mask penalty for incidental contact with the facemask was eliminated. Any twisting, grabbing or illegal use of a facemask will result in a 15-yard penalty.
Impact: This change also takes the heat off referees from having to make what can be a tough judgment call. Pereira said there will also be greater emphasis placed on ensuring offensive players also aren't breaking the facemask rule when trying to avoid tackles. This could greatly affect the rushing style of Dallas running back Marion Barber, who has the NFL's fiercest stiff-arm.
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PALM BEACH, Fla. - The New York Giants overcame long odds to win Super Bowl XLII, but team co-owner John Mara quickly knew Wednesday he had no shot of pulling an even bigger upset:
Getting enough team owners to approve a new playoff seeding format at the league's annual meeting.
A proposal that would have used records rather than standing as a division winner to determine home-field advantage didn't even receive enough support to garner an owners vote.
"I was surprised at how little support there was," said Mara, who had championed the idea. "Clearly, opponents of that rule had done their lobbying behind the scenes and were very effective."
As a wild-card team last season, the Giants headed to Tampa Bay for a first-round playoff game. New York (10-6) had a better record than the Bucs (9-7), but Tampa Bay had won the NFC South. The AFC had a similar scenario with AFC South runner-up Jacksonville (11-5) playing at AFC North champion Pittsburgh (9-7).
"I don't like the idea of a 12-4 wild-card having to travel to a 9-7 or 8-8 division winner," Mara said. "That strikes me as unfair, but it's not the end of the world."
Mara should know. The Giants won all three of their playoff games on the road last season en route to defeating New England in the Super Bowl. Two seasons ago, Pittsburgh did the same when winning a title as a No. 6 seed. Such success for visiting teams has made some owners believe a seeding change isn't necessary.
Other clubs were concerned about diminishing the importance of winning a division and relinquishing the financial windfall that comes with hosting a home playoff game by doing so. Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis spoke Tuesday about the benefits his team would experience if the Bengals won the AFC North.
"When you're selling to your fans that you compete against Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, can beat those teams and have an opportunity to get a home game for them, I would hate to see us go away from that model," Lewis said.
Conversely, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell believed re-seeding could spice up what is becoming a largely meaningless Week 17. Only two of the 16 season finales -- Washington vs. Dallas and Tennessee vs. Indianapolis -- had a direct impact on the playoffs. The Cowboys and Colts both rested starters for the playoffs, giving the Redskins and Titans an easier path to securing wild-card berths with victories.
"We have a responsibility to take a good hard look at this," said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, who also rested his starters in Week 17 with his playoff seeding secured. "It makes sense to have games be as competitive as possible and be more fun for the fans and viewers. It's healthier for our game to have everything count."
Told he suffered a "humiliating loss" with the proposal's overwhelming rejection, a laughing Mara said, "That's OK. It's been a pretty good year."
Other proposals voted upon Tuesday and Wednesday fared much better. Here's a look at some of the changes coming to the NFL this season after being approved by at least three-fourths (24) of the league's owners:
A communication device is now allowed in the helmet of one defensive player.
Impact: This will give defensive coordinators a quicker and more efficient way of calling plays. But just like when the technology was installed in quarterback helmets, there will be some growing pains. The designated defender must grow accustomed to relaying calls that are being spoken rather than signaled from the sideline. Offenses may use more hurry-up attacks and sugar huddles hoping to exploit clubs with communication problems, as the device is turned off after 15 seconds like with quarterbacks. Teams also must identify an every-down player to handle the role, which isn't easy for teams like New England that frequently substitute personnel.
"The concept of it is fine but the logistics of it are a little bit of a different story," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick, whose team was one of 25 to vote in favor of the proposal. "You don't always have a quarterback in the game on defense like you do on offense. ... I don't think it's as easy to do on defense."
Teams that win the coin toss can now defer until the second half.
Impact: Significant. NFL officiating chief Mike Pereira said the majority of college coaches in 2007 opted to defer and receive the second-half kickoff.
"I think you may see deferrals later in the year as you have weather issues," said Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who is the co-chairman of the NFL's competition committee. "If you've got a club that's known for playing good defense, you could see them [defer]. It's going to be interesting to see what the philosophies are going to be."
Unless literally carried out by a defensive player, receivers must land with two feet inbounds for a completion.
Impact: This "force out" rule takes pressure off sideline officials, who are sometimes forced to make difficult judgment calls. Pereira said that half of the 16 force outs last season were ruled correctly. The change eliminates the guess work.
The five-yard face mask penalty for incidental contact with the facemask was eliminated. Any twisting, grabbing or illegal use of a facemask will result in a 15-yard penalty.
Impact: This change also takes the heat off referees from having to make what can be a tough judgment call. Pereira said there will also be greater emphasis placed on ensuring offensive players also aren't breaking the facemask rule when trying to avoid tackles. This could greatly affect the rushing style of Dallas running back Marion Barber, who has the NFL's fiercest stiff-arm.
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