big NFL rules changes

NFL rules changes: No more 75-man roster cutdown, second player can return from IR

Lorenzo Reyes , USA TODAY

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/05/23/nfl-eliminates-75-man-roster-cutdown-second-player-returns-injured-reserve-overtime-celebrations/102060276/

NFL owners voted Tuesday to eliminate the roster cutdown to 75 players during the preseason, instead opting to have a one-time reduction before the regular that will slash rosters from 90 players to 53. The decision was made at the league’s spring meetings in Chicago.

The 75-man cut used to occur between the third and fourth weeks of preseason. With the change, teams will be required to cut up to 37 players following the final preseason game. This could place more urgency and importance on the final exhibition contest, with more roster spots theoretically up for grabs.

It also means nearly 1,200 players will become available before the start of the regular season, likely creating a hectic period as teams scramble to fine-tune opening-day rosters while filling out practice squads.

Also Tuesday, owners approved a measure that makes a second player who is placed on injured reserve eligible to return later in the season. Previously, only one could be designated for recall from IR, thanks to a rule that was adopted in 2012 and amended in 2016. The 2016 bylaw stated that any player who had spent at least six weeks on IR would be eligible to return to practice, opening a 14-day window for the player to return to the active roster.

Other changes that were adopted included a reduction of overtime from 15 minutes to 10 and a relaxation of on-field celebration rules.

Owners tabled discussions for a proposal that stipulates that coaches can reach agreements to change jobs even if their current teams are still in the playoffs.

Also tabled was a proposal from the Washington Redskins that would provide roster exemptions for concussed players.

wv wrote:

What is the actual rule on the ‘celebration’ thing?

PRO FOOTBALL

N.F.L. Relaxes Celebration Rules to Bring Some Fun Back

VICTOR MATHER

link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/sports/football/nfl-rules-changes-celebrations-overtime.html?_r=0

Maybe a little fun is coming back to the No Fun League.

The N.F.L., which technically stands for National Football League, despite some wisecracks to the contrary, announced on Tuesday that it was loosening its strict rules about on-field celebrations.

“We are relaxing our rules on celebrations to allow players more room to have fun after they make big plays,” the league said in a statement.

Celebrations now permitted are “using the football as a prop” after a touchdown, “celebrating on the ground” and “group demonstrations.”

But it is not open season for celebrations. “Offensive demonstrations, celebrations that are prolonged and delay the game, and those directed at an opponent will still be penalized,” the statement said.

Celebration penalties were up sharply last season. The league said it had asked officials to pay extra attention to enforcing the existing rules.

Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers was penalized and fined in Week 1 for twerking after a touchdown and again in Week 4 for thrusting his pelvis. Josh Norman of the Washington Redskins drew a penalty and a fine for miming shooting an arrow.

The crackdown was such a hot topic that Andrew Hawkins of the Cleveland Browns celebrated a touchdown by stiffly placing the ball on the turf and robotically walking away in a nod to the tough rules.

In another rule change, overtime will be shorter, and there may be more ties as a result.

The N.F.L. owners agreed on Tuesday at their spring meetings in Chicago to reduce regular-season overtime periods to 10 minutes from 15.

The league said the change was designed primarily for player safety. Coaches believe that by the 10-minute mark of overtime, players tend to hit high levels of fatigue, making them more vulnerable to injury.

Over the last five seasons, 83 games have gone into overtime, and 22 of them lasted more than 10 minutes, according to N.F.L. Media. Five of those games ended in ties. Presumably, many of the games decided after 10 minutes would have ended as ties under the new rule.

The N.F.L. introduced overtime games in 1974; before that, ties were significantly more common. There was an average of six ties a season in a smaller league in the 10 years before overtime began.

The owners also voted to change the preseason cut policy. In the past, teams reduced their rosters from 90 players to 75 and then to 53. Now, the middle step will be eliminated and teams will drop directly to 53 from 90 after the preseason. The move figures to create a chaotic few days as teams scramble to set their rosters and pick up players cast off by other teams.

The owners also agreed to ban jumping over the line to block kicks and to permit two players each season to come off injured reserve rather than one.