Thank you, Jesus, for the football season we are about to receive

Amen.

Actually, I was just reviewing the new rules for this year-

http://national-football-league-nfl.suite1...hanges_for_2008

Rule 1: Defense gets a microphone helmet- Similar to the quarterback, the defense can now use a microphone helmet. The problem is, despite all of the lame sportscaster “he’s the quarterback of the defense” references, there really isn’t a comparable position on defense. The team only gets to use one helmet, so they’ll have to find a way to implement this so that someone that’s on the field almost every snap gets the lucky earpiece. Don’t be surprised if you still see coaches using hand signals come Sundays until they get this concept just right.

Rule 2: No more “forceout” rule- It used to be if a receiver caught a pass in the air and WOULD have gotten 2 feet in bounds if not pushed out by a defender, the play would be ruled a reception. Apparently this was too much stress for officials to try to make an actual judgment, so now you either get 2 feet in or it’s incomplete. Just as a technicality, this doesn’t count if the receiver is literally carried out of bounds (good thing they caught that). Look for corners to use the sideline all day long and just go for the big shove if they’re beat.

Rule 3: Defer the coin toss- Hasn’t Pop Warner football had this since 1953? Hard to believe it took the NFL until 2008, but coaches can finally choose to defer if they win the coin toss and want the ball in the second half.

Rule 4: Instant Replay on field goals- From now on if two officials that are charged with nothing else but watching to see if a ball is kicked through the uprights or not can’t get the call right, there’s instant replay. These calls are probably blown more frequently than fans realize; this will be used.

Rule 5: Goodbye to the 5-yard Incidental Facemask- A quick grab of the facemask is no longer a punishable offense. Grab hold and try to unscrew his noggin, it’s still 15 yards.

I think getting rid of the forceout is going to have a pretty big effect on receivers who love sideline routes, particularly Marvin Harrison, but also Randy Moss. It's a smart change because the old rule required the ref to make an impossible judgment call.

Getting rid of the 5 yard facemask is another great change. It creates consistency with the rule that if a DB and a receiver accidentally tangle feet, it's no penalty.

What do you monkeys think of the new rules?

Sidenote: The casino I'm at is starting their MNF promotion by flying in Jack Tatum. He was one of the baddest motherfuckers ever. Are there any intelligent questions related to Madden or The Immaculate Reception that I should ask him?

-B

forceout one is interesting, it's obv good to get rid of subjective rules, will definitely change things

interesting suprised this hasn't been talked about more. I think it makes it makes it particularly more difficult on receivers. Seems like the corners could go just for the shove and less for the ball on sideline routes with this so i dunno. The other way def. made it impossible for refs tho.

Yes, thank you for:




Thank you.

The force out rule will hurt possession receivers a lot more.

if you won the coin toss you couldnt just chose to kick?

colts got jobbed on that forceout rule in afc championship game 07, didnt end up hurting them tho.

god damn i love pro football... college just doesnt do it for me



nfl = greatest athletic organization in the history of man

yes, but this new rule allows you to put the onus on your opponent, whether to kick or receive to begin the game.

Just to play devils advocate, why would you ever want to do this? In order to get the choice of what half of the field you start on? To determinte in which direction you could be kicking 4th qtr field goals? eh nevermind, makes sense.

just another option for the coach, i cant really see any reason for doing it, i doubt there is any tangible psychological advantage in making the other team decide whether to kick or receive to open the game

You fuckers ever play Madden? It's all about the wind, yo.

i always chose to kick in madden 95 and 96. my 8 year-old cousin beats me in 08 so i don't care to play that.

Hands up if you think ameican football is the biggest load of shit sport on earth...(shooz hang your head)

Soccer is for homos

American soccer is for severe homos..English FOOTBALL is for real men..

They are both for homos. Bunch of idiots running around. No action. Homo Spectators as well

Wow, I don't like that forceout rule. How many times do you see a guy get pushed out in the back of the end zone?

Wrong ! Easily the most skillfull teamsport on earth. NFL is a great game to watch but I prefer the NRL much tougher

I think hockey is and its not even close.

LOL at the most skillfull sport. You can train anyone to run and kick and kick a ball