We’ve already hit on five off-the-field rule changes needed to improve the NFL game, but the sport actually takes place on the field. While those rule suggestions would reduce hold outs, player attrition and improve player health, the gameday rulebook needs an update too. Here are five rule changes needed to make the game better.
1. Every penalty should be reviewable
I have a real problem with the way the NFL treats its referees as infallible. These are all part timers taking weekend breaks from their law firms, not the Pope. Few moments can flip the outcome of a game more than a penalty and there’s no reason at all not to take a look at the big ones, especially pass interference and holding calls on scoring plays. Treating these specific plays, all split-second judgement calls, as unimpeachable hurts the game.
PIs have no set yardage designation and I don’t want them to. I think that if the NFL put in a 15-yarder like the NCAA, players would commit them all the time to save big touchdown plays. The skill level of an NFL wideout is one that makes that a no-brainer for a defensive back. The system now penalizes DBs far too much and there’s no reason not to take a look at a PI call to make sure it was a good one.
Same for holds, clipping and all the ways referees get in the way of the game. How many times have you seen a monster, game-changing touchdown called back on an iffy or non-existent holding call? I’ve heard Dan Fouts in the CBS booth audibly eat his beard after some of these referee screw ups. The NFL should hold referees more accountable and not be afraid to double check their work on the fly.
2. Coaches should have two challenge flags a game and, if they win their challenge, get to keep the flag
Speaking of replays, under the current system each team’s head coach starts the game with two challenge flags with which to protest a call. If the coach uses both flags and wins both challenges, he’s awarded a third flag. If he loses one of the challenges, he’s out after two. I like the challenge idea and that they’re limited, but as I said earlier, refs can make mistakes. In fact, I’d argue they make a lot of mistakes all the time. There’s no reason to punish a coach and a team because an official continues to screw up, embarrass himself and not understand how to do his job. I mean, he’s not he’s the President of the United States.
How come FIFA, which is the most effed up sports organization on the planet, can build an efficient replay system w/o a problem but no one in the US can?
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 27, 2018
This change still has the head coach starting out with two flags, but he doesn’t have just two “challenges.” Instead, if he tosses the flag on a call and wins, he gets to keep the flag. A coach, with the right officiating crew (I’m looking at you, Jerome Boger) could in effect have infinite challenge flags. Sure, in the past that means a Jeff Tripplett game could last epochs, but that’s not my (or the sport’s) problem. If the NFL doesn’t like all the challenges, they need to hire better refs.
To be continued in Part 2.
