2008 Woodie Awards
Giving the grade to new rules
TYLER ESTEP
Issue date: 8/29/08 Section: First & Goal
The NCAA has decided to institute five new rules for the 2008 college football season, for better or for worse. Here they are - we've given them the thumbs up or down.
- The play clock will be set to 40 seconds, and will begin once the ball is blown dead on the previous play. The 25-second will still be around, but only on the referee's signal following a penalty, measurement, change of possession or timeout.
VERDICT: Stop messing with the play clock. Why is it necessary to speed up games? Have you heard a real fan complain about too much football to watch?
- On a play that goes out of bounds, the game clock will start on the referee's signal rather than on the following snap, except during the last two minutes of each half.
VERDICT: See left. Having different rules for the final two minutes of a half doesn't make sense.
Stop messing with the clock. Please.
- All facemask penalties will now be of the 15-yard variety, eliminating the five-yard "incidental" version. Facemasks will only be called for twisting, turning or pulling.
VERDICT: Now this makes sense. I never understood the whole idea behind the incidental facemask in the first place - If you're admitting something is an accident, why penalize a player or a team for it?
- Players will now be penalized 15 yards for horse-collar tackles (bringing the opposing ball carrier down by grabbing and pulling on the back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey).
VERDICT: Good call, safety first. Probably an overdue rule, there can be some serious body slams, and not to mention potential injuries, as a result of horse collars.
Bravo.
- Any contact made with the crown of a helmet will result in a 15-yard penalty.
VERDICT: Neck and head injuries are scary. Anything to try and prevent them is a good thing.
On the other hand, it may be a hard rule to enforce/keep in check. Is every hit that might appear to come anywhere close to the "crown" going to be a 15-yarder?
Let's hope not.
- The play clock will be set to 40 seconds, and will begin once the ball is blown dead on the previous play. The 25-second will still be around, but only on the referee's signal following a penalty, measurement, change of possession or timeout.
VERDICT: Stop messing with the play clock. Why is it necessary to speed up games? Have you heard a real fan complain about too much football to watch?
- On a play that goes out of bounds, the game clock will start on the referee's signal rather than on the following snap, except during the last two minutes of each half.
VERDICT: See left. Having different rules for the final two minutes of a half doesn't make sense.
Stop messing with the clock. Please.
- All facemask penalties will now be of the 15-yard variety, eliminating the five-yard "incidental" version. Facemasks will only be called for twisting, turning or pulling.
VERDICT: Now this makes sense. I never understood the whole idea behind the incidental facemask in the first place - If you're admitting something is an accident, why penalize a player or a team for it?
- Players will now be penalized 15 yards for horse-collar tackles (bringing the opposing ball carrier down by grabbing and pulling on the back collar of the shoulder pads or jersey).
VERDICT: Good call, safety first. Probably an overdue rule, there can be some serious body slams, and not to mention potential injuries, as a result of horse collars.
Bravo.
- Any contact made with the crown of a helmet will result in a 15-yard penalty.
VERDICT: Neck and head injuries are scary. Anything to try and prevent them is a good thing.
On the other hand, it may be a hard rule to enforce/keep in check. Is every hit that might appear to come anywhere close to the "crown" going to be a 15-yarder?
Let's hope not.
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