The NFL’s owners made some rule changes today and the two most significant are that the tuck rule is no longer and the second is that running backs may not lead with the crown of their helmets outside the tackle box. The tuck rule being thrown away was expected and should fly under the radar, but the RB rule is very interesting. Matt Forte already spoke out against it, and it will definitely be the subject of plenty of controversy this upcoming NFL season.
Eye on Football explains the helmet rule much better than we do:
The leading-with-the-crown-of-your-helmet rule is a much more controversial rule alteration for the league. Running backs and defensive players who lead with the top of their helmet when attempting to make tackles will be flagged 15 yards. Should both players be flagged, the penalties will offset and the teams will replay the down.
“It is a foul if a runner or tackler initiates forcible contact by delivering a blow with the top/crown of his helmet against an opponent when both players are clearly outside the tackle box (an area extending from tackle to tackle and from three yards beyond the line of scrimmage to the offensive team’s end line),” the new rule, Rule 12, Section 2, Article 8, reads. “Incidental contact by the helmet of a runner or tackler against an opponent shall not be a foul.”
The Tuck Rule vote was 29-1-2. The #Patriots abstained, as did the #Redskins. The #Steelers voted against the Tuck Rule change.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2013
The #Patriots abstained from the Tuck Rule vote. Well-played, Robert Kraft.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2013
Who voted against the crown-of-the-helmet rule? The #Bengals. Even with coach Marvin Lewis on the Competition Committee. It was 31-1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2013
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