Definitely one of the most educational days of camp. Line judge Jeff Bergman gave the presentation this year. Here are the rule changes for 2007:
-- Spiking the ball in the field of play after anything except a TD will now be a 5-yard penalty.
-- A block below the waist by a defensive player on a receiver while the QB is in the pocket is now a 15-yard personal foul, rather than a 5-yard penalty, and subject to extra discipline.
-- There's no penalty, but officials will be taking note of players who don't fasten their chinstraps to help alleviate head injuries.
-- Defensive holding before the ball is thrown will still be a point of emphasis. The only times it is allowed are when the QB is out of the pocket or when the ball is already in the air to another receiver.
-- Defensive players can deliver light, open-handed shoves to QBs and not be called for roughing the passer. The QBs still get plenty of protection; as illustrated on the NFL's video for rules changes that was shown to us and the players, Mathias Kiwanuka's sack of David Carr in the Giants' 14-10 win is still roughing the passer. I'm sure Mathias will get a big kick out of seeing it on film again.
Bergman, in his 16th year with the league, did answer a question about his and his fellow officials' reaction to the NBA referee's game-fixing scandal. "We were at our clinic in Dallas when the story broke," he said. "It's something that's bad for all professional sports. The NFL has a thorough screening process and they're always trying to see how they can better screen us. (The scrutiny from the NFL) has always been a little bit of a pain in the butt for us, but with the realization that this has actually happened in another league, I think we all understand that the NFL has been ahead of the curve on this."
My own take is that it'd be near impossible for one member of an NFL officiating crew to affect the outcome of a game that way. Too many people would have to be in on it, and even then, it would be hard to see how two or three members of a crew could pull it off.
That's how we spent a few minutes today. Now, it's off to spend a couple hours watching the Giants sweat. Back around 5.
And my thanks to beer girl for noticing that my high school yearbook photo is off the website -- they finally granted my wish to get rid of it.
Comments (4)
So how many times will Shockey get a 5-yard penalty this year for spiking the ball? I can understand not wanting people spiking it in an opponents face, but football is an emotional sport...not sure I like this one.
So now the question is, will they put an updated picture of Arthur on the site?
The 15 yard penalty for hitting below the waste should be hell for Coughlin this season, because I see our guys doing it a lot. Just like the personal fouls that were called on us a million times last year.
Plax cuts guy alot, and so does O hara, we will probably see many of those this year.
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