PHOENIX — Several rule changes were approved here on Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings.
Among the most notable: NFL owners banned players from leaping over the line of scrimmage to block kicks, and owners approved a plan to centralize replay review decisions to the league office.
Under the proposal, officials from the league in New York will now consult with referees from games. The referee will have a tablet brought to him on the field to view the replay. The ruling is designed to improve, and speed up the replay process.
Those two rule changes highlighted a busy day.
Here's the complete rundown:
Approved 2017 Playing Rules Proposals
• By Philadelphia; Prohibits the "leaper" block attempt on field goal and extra point plays.
• By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the rule that disqualifies a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.
• By Competition Committee; Changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line for one year only.
• By Competition Committee; Gives a receiver running a pass route defenseless player protection.
• By Competition Committee; Makes crackback blocks prohibited by a backfield player who is in motion, even if he is not more than two yards outside the tackle when the ball is snapped.
• By Competition Committee; Replaces the sideline replay monitor with a hand-held device and authorizes designated members of the Officiating department to make the final decision on replay reviews.
• By Competition Committee; Makes it Unsportsmanlike Conduct to commit multiple fouls during the same down designed to manipulate the game clock.
• By Competition Committee; Makes actions to conserve time illegal after the two-minute warning of either half.
Approved 2017 Bylaw Proposals
By Competition Committee; Liberalizes rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club's facility for one year only.
• By Competition Committee; Changes the procedures for returning a player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness to the Active List to be similar to those for returning a player that was Designated for Return.
By Competition Committee; The League office will transmit a Personnel Notice to clubs on Sundays during training camp and preseason.
Approved 2017 Resolution Proposal
• By Competition Committee: Permits a contract or non-contract non-football employee to interview with and be hired by another club during the playing season, provided the employer club has consented.
*Complete list provided by NFL Communications.
