The NFL is continuing to not only try and make football a safer sport, but also harshly punish those who appear to break said rules.
The latest example comes in the NFL Competition Committee passing a new rule that will lead to players being ejected if they commit two personal fouls within a game. This is a one-year trial rule, similar to last year's trial of moving extra point attempts to the 15-yard line.
Comp. Committee expected to pass a rule making ejections automatic after 2 personal fouls. Must decide which penalties (fewer than 5) apply
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
To expand on last tweet, Brian Orakpo would have been ejected in Week 9 vs. Saints if new rule was imposed. That's only example I can find.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) March 23, 2016See AlsoRULE NO. 10: Violations and PenaltiesBasketball FoulsRULE NO. 12: Fouls and PenaltiesLaw 15 - The Throw In
Ejections for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and touchbacks being brought out to 25-yard line are one-year experiments.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2016
For this season, the new rule will eject any player flagged for two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls in a game. Rapoport reported last week thatthe proposal was expected to go through after a discussion on which penalties would count toward an ejection. The committee was expected to pick from a short list of infractions.
Also voted in was a proposal to change the spot of the snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line. Both rules will be treated as one-year experiments.
The NFL also madechop blocks illegal earlier this week.
But there's no question the two personal fouls leading to ejection is the biggest rule change this week, especially in violent and heated rivalry games like the Steelers and Bengals have every year. On one hand, this new rule would certainly lead to less extracurricular activities and force teams to be more focused on the game itself and not unnecessaryacts.
On the other hand, referees are far from perfect and will make bad calls throughout a game. It will be tough to see a guy be ejected because he had one fair personal foul called on him, but then another that was completely wrong causing him to leave the game.
Language on the "2 personal fouls = ejection" proposal. Cleans up idea anyone would get tossed for 2 face masks. pic.twitter.com/BySGVQ4UdB
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 17, 2016
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Pro Football Talk reported earlier this month thattwo personal-foul categories were being considered.The first category would consist of verbal abuse, taunting, and throwing a punch or a kick. The second category would be broader, with hits on defenseless players, impermissible use of the helmet, crown-of-helmet violations, roughing the passer, late hits, striking, kneeing, and kicking.
What are your thoughts on this and other proposed rule changes?
