Which rules should NFL/NCAAF adopt/change?

[HeismaNole]

NFL- I’d like to see them get rid of spot foul PI calls and go to the 15 yard penalty like college. This way it doesn’t bail out a team just throwing 75 yard bomb and hoping a ref throws a flag to get them a game-winning field goal.

NCAAF- adopt the NFL’s rule of letting the runner get back up if they’re untouched.

 

[sieken]

NFL- I’d like to see them get rid of spot foul PI calls and go to the 15 yard penalty like college. This way it doesn’t bail out a team just throwing 75 yard bomb and hoping a ref throws a flag to bail them out.

NCAAF- adopt the NFL’s rule of letting the runner get back up if they’re untouched.

I don't like the suggestion for the NFL. Guys are good enough at that level to be intentional about it when they are beat over the top.

I agree on the NCAA suggestion.

NFL, get rid of the new kickoff rule. Get rid of the PF on hits when the QB runs, ref it just like a running back.

NCAA, call the holds on the OLine tighter. Feels like they have went the way of Baseball with wanting more offense.

 

[HeismaNole]

Oh how can I forget the most obvious?

Overtime

The NFL can’t get it right. They suck at it. College has done well except I don’t even like their two point conversion sudden death stuff.

 

[sieken]

Oh how can I forget the most obvious?

Overtime

The NFL can’t get it right. They suck at it. College has done well except I don’t even like their two point conversion sudden death stuff.

Lol! I've argued that one a bunch on here. I'm in the minority, I liked the old way but am ok with the new way as well. People discount how hard it is to drive the length of the field in the NFL. The games are mostly low scoring but for some reason people feel it's too easy to drive the field in OT.

 

[Soupbean]

NFL- I’d like to see them get rid of spot foul PI calls and go to the 15 yard penalty like college. This way it doesn’t bail out a team just throwing 75 yard bomb and hoping a ref throws a flag to get them a game-winning field goal.

NCAAF- adopt the NFL’s rule of letting the runner get back up if they’re untouched.

Love you're first one. Pass interference calls (many bogus and just not necessary) are already much too impactful on the college game and its that much worse with a spot call in the NFL. Just like a turnover a bad PI can change an entire game with an iffy call on an uncatchable ball thrown 15 yards over the WR head. Instead they get 40 yards and first down.

Dont even get me started on the underthrown deep ball where they penalize the DB for running into a WR whose stopped his route. DB is running full out with his back turned trying to stay within 10 inches of a guy without touching him and they expect him to see the ball in the back of his had and somehow turn around last second or stop. Let them try that!!! On underthrown balls, unless the DB pushes or grabs its a free ball and any contact from bumping into a stopped WR should be incidental contact and no foul. They've made it almost impossible play that position anymore.

 

[bigbluedon]

In college get rid of the dumb rule where u have to sit out a play if your helmet comes off. WTF? Put it on and play.

 

[screwduke1]

In College you should have to have 2 feet down in bounds for it to be ruled a catch just like the NFL.

I don't know how I would change it...but I wish the NFL would make the return game more useful. I think the new kickoff is trying to do that but still don't think it's been that great. Seems like most of the time it's still a touchback. Maybe move the kicker back 5 yards or something?

NFL obviously needs to get rid of ties and adopt the CFB overtime rules. CFB overtimes are amazing. NFL is a little bit better than it has been but still not as good as CFB overtimes.

 

[TOMCATS1990]

I like the new kickoffs in the NFL so college and high schools should adopt the rule. You ever watch CFL I like the WR’s get a running start at the snap

 

[gamecockcat]

In general, stop calling a penalty if it doesn't affect the play and isn't a potential safety issue. Holding on a WR when the ball carrier is already well past them is ridiculous. Same with holding on the other side of the field or block in the back on a return when the ball is way past that point.

Both NFL and college refs allow a lot more hand fighting and holding by DBs than is ever called. Conversely, there are plays where the WR stiff arms the DB to create space. PI needs to be called more closely both ways. There has been a noticeable uptick in the number of offensive PI calls re: pick plays but call the ones on the WR giving that last second push, too.

 

[HeismaNole]

In general, stop calling a penalty if it doesn't affect the play and isn't a potential safety issue. Holding on a WR when the ball carrier is already well past them is ridiculous. Same with holding on the other side of the field or block in the back on a return when the ball is way past that point.

Both NFL and college refs allow a lot more hand fighting and holding by DBs than is ever called. Conversely, there are plays where the WR stiff arms the DB to create space. PI needs to be called more closely both ways. There has been a noticeable uptick in the number of offensive PI calls re: pick plays but call the ones on the WR giving that last second push, too.

Yes!!! The holding calls 20 yards opposite side of the field. Can’t stand it.

I’m reminded of this stupidity any time I play College Football 25 and I run a HB stretch to the left and I break off a big run only for it to be called back because of a one second hold on the far side T on the DE. He wasn’t catching up to me. Didn’t affect the play at all.

The holding calls are always the “hmmm” moment for myself in some cases. In the NFL, the Chiefs o-line holds on every single play. That’s not exaggerating. That’s every play and it doesn’t get called but then you’ll see a big play for the opponent negated for something like you mentioned.

 

[BlueRaider22]

In general, I wish both the NFL and NCAA would scale back the rulebook about 30 yrs (though I know that it never will). Rules get more and more complicated to the point where it gets tough to figure out what qualifies as an offense. The catch rule is such an example. How many feet does he have in bounds? How many steps does he take after touching the ball? And was it a football move? Did he tuck it? Did he maintain control upon falling? Did the ground help or alter it? Etc, etc, etc.

Football is my #1 sport and I've watched it change so much over the last 40 yrs. And don't me started about the changes my dad has seen over the last 70+ yrs. At one point baseball was the #1 sport in the US and now is barely holding within the top 5.....and falling fast. My worry is that football is changing itself so much that it continues to turn people away to the point where it's not as fun to watch.

 

[PushupMan]

Great discussion!

Not a fan of the pick play in college or pro … almost wish there was a “halo” rule where two receivers crossing need to be separated by at least two yards….

Pass interference is a major problem in the sport - very inconsistently called, and I’m in favor of any contact beyond 5 yards being called as PI (either offensive or defensive). Also don’t like the 15 (college) or spot (pro) yardage. Think it should be a 10 yard penalty and an automatic first down. Defensive PI in the end zone would be either 10 yards or half the distance, whichever is less.

And the biggest change I would like to see at all levels of football is that teams scoring a defensive or special teams touchdown receive the next kickoff.

 

[maysvilleky]

I’d like to go the opposite way and say 1 foot inbounds should be implemented in the NFL. Also kickoffs need to go back to the old way.

And I think FGs need to be from 10 yds behind the LOS. So automatically adds 3 yds to a FG try. Kickers are already kicking 60 yarders now.

In NCAAF…definitely runner/ receiver should be allowed to get up and run if not touched. And I think fake injuries have to be addressed. Sit out a series at least!

 

[Girthang]

NFL- I’d like to see them get rid of spot foul PI calls and go to the 15 yard penalty like college. This way it doesn’t bail out a team just throwing 75 yard bomb and hoping a ref throws a flag to get them a game-winning field goal.

Yes!

NCAAF- adopt the NFL’s rule of letting the runner get back up if they’re untouched.

Not as much in favor of this one. Call me old, but I prefer the college and pro games to differ in this respect and a few others, like the 1 foot in bounds on a catch rule.

1- I want to see the NFL adopt a rule that disallows punching a defender in the helmet/facemask during a play. Stiffarm stays, punching goes. Make it a 15 yard penalty if they're truly concerned about player safety.

2- Eliminate the vagueness of the current rule that a player must be out for a play if someone ELSE rips their helmet off. Shouldn't be punishing someone or their team if the opponent takes their helmet off of them.

3- NFL also needs to modify the 2 (different) feet, 1 knee, elbow, and buttcheek/shin rule to allow for 2 steps or touches with the same foot to be a legal catch. Stupid that this wasn't clarified and/or corrected years ago.

4- FURTHER, this rule should also codify that stepping/toe-tapping on a player or portion of a player's body that is inbounds should also count a catch as a reception rather than incomplete. Might as well nip that in the bud before it costs someone during a big game.

IOW, if the receiving player, offense or defense, is prevented from making contact with the ground in bounds by a part of another player's body or equipment, that otherwise might have been possible, the body part or equipment will be considered an in bounds portion of the field for contact purposes.

5- The first contact rule on punt coverage. Currently someone from the punt coverage team going/forced out of bounds on punt coverage currently cannot be the first one to touch the ball to down the kick or recover a fumble. This is a stupid and outdated rule that needs to be eliminated or modified. If the defender in punt coverage is forced out of bounds and reestablishes themselves in bounds, they should be able to make first contact without penalty. FURTHERMORE- the punt return team player's should not be able to enter the out-of-bounds area to make contact with a coverage player without incurring a penalty for illegal contact. They should have to remain IN BOUNDS to initiate or repeat contact with coverage personnel. They should not be able to make contact with the coverage team until they have reestablished themselves in bounds (2 steps).

6- Flipping the ball forward 5 inches towards a player you are not even able to see or know is there should not be a forward pass, but a fumble, EVEN IF you are Patrick Mahomes or a team from a bigger market of viewers, and even if there is a person who might be eligible 5-10 yards away. We can call that one the LA or Viking rule. Either one is fine.

 

[Deeeefense]

I would like to see them modify the holding rule so that it is not enforced if the hold clearly did not effect the play. There are times when a hold occurred on the opposite site of the field of where the play took place and the offensive team loses what is often a nice gain due to something that had nothing to do with the action itself.

Also allow instant replay to review personal foul penalties so that it's not always "the guy the responds" that gets the flag, the instigator would either get a flag as well, or simply receive the entire penalty. Maybe 15 yards against the instigator but just 5 on the retaliator would be fairer then calling a foul on each that results in nothing in the way of a penalty.