NFL rule changes and why Dolphins fans should not buy new jerseys, yet
By Brian Miller
NFL rule changes have been passed and a couple are long overdue but for Dolphins fans, you may want to hold off buying any new jerseys.
The biggest change is that wide receivers, defensive backs, tight ends, and linebackers can now wear single-digit numbers. This is going to make the NFL look a little more collegiate on the field but it will open up several players to switch back to their college numbers. For example, linebacker Jerome Baker wore 17 in college and will now be able to wear that again if he desires. He currently wears 55.
If you are planning to buy a new jersey, you may want to wait until players shuffle around the uniform numbers.
Another rule that is long overdue for change is the overtime rules in pre-season games. In the past, teams would play an extra quarter but now, the game ends when the 60-minute clock expires regardless of the score.
This was a needed change considering the fact that these are meaningless games that expose players to unnecessary injury.
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Two rules also were passed regarding penalties. Two forward passes on one play will now be a loss of down instead of a yardage-only penalty. Another rule that was accepted will change how a team can be penalized on an extra point attempt.
One rule that did not pass, for now, is the onside kick. This rule would allow teams to take possession of the ball on their own 25-yard line. Teams would get one play to pick up 15 yards or surrender the ball at the 25. The proposal wasn’t shot down but was tabled. There is another rule on the table that could change onside kick rules. The NFL is realizing that the current rules have almost made it impossible for kicking teams to recover the ball.NFL