The law of the land

The votes are in, and here are the rule changes for 2008! A change in the playoff format is out. A new dot is in. Coin toss takes on a hip new image. It's now actually a force out rule. If you are going to grab my face, you had better make it worth it.

A proposal to change the playoff format so that home field advantage is determined by record was shot down faster than Dick Cheyney's hunting partner. The owner's didn't even vote on the proposal, because it didn't have enough support. Giants co-owner John Mara said , "I was surprised at how little support there was," said Mara, who had championed the idea. "Clearly, opponents of that rule had done their lobbying behind the scenes and were very effective." The Seahawks organization has done their job, and they can rest easy out in the NFC West.

Like the Seattle Seahawks, people who have a fear of, "Dead Air" can rest easy. There's a new dot in town. If you watched a football game (especially on Fox) last season there was no escape from the, "Green Dot." In 2008 a designated defensive player will have a communication device in his helmet too. To avoid confusion, I suggest they use a pink dot to designate this player.

The Another rule change that is going to take place next season is the right to defer. If a teams wins the coin toss, they can defer until the second half. Defer??? Don't you get the same result by choosing to kick, instead of receive? Not going to lie, I'm a little perplexed by this one.

Speaking of receiving, the, "Force Out" rule finally lives up to the title. Receivers must get both feet down in bounds, unless they are forced out of bounds physically by another player. I think that this is a great rule change. To all of the receivers out there, I suggest you invest in some ballet lessons.

Last of the rule changes for 2008 is the elimination of the 5-yard incidental contact with the facemask. It's a 15 yard penalty if there is any, "twisting, grabbing or illegal use". They are going to put more emphasis on offensive players using the facemask to avoid tackles as well. I was never a fan of the incidental contact calls. It's a physical game, and players shouldn't have to shy away from contact, because they might accidentally make contact with the facemask.

So that's it for the rule changes. Overall I think that they are positive changes, and will make for better football. Except that coin toss one... Hope that this helps you get through your Thursday.

In other Football news:
-L.J. Smith signs his one year tender with the Eagles. He's getting a 4.5 million dollar salary for 2008. If he is able to stay healthy and return to form. Lock him up!
-Chris Henry surrenders to police on charges of punching an 18 year old kid in the face, and breaking his car windshield with a beer bottle. Chris, I hope that you have Pacman's phone number on speed dial. Perhaps, he can offer you some suggestion on what do you with yourself while you sit out 16 games..... The Birds can waive goodbye to the possibility of trading for Chad Johnson.
-Roy Williams wants to play in Dallas.... It has to be the Jumbotron that has every player in the NFL wanting to play in Dallas. Off the record...... That stadium is going to be bad ass!

Let's give them something to talk about....

It's Friday.... I do have a job, but I still aint got shit to do! So let's chat. You and I both know you don't want touch another spreadsheet this week anyway. The NFL is going to discuss some rule changes at the Owner's meetings next week. Just a few of the topics are a hair rule, new playoff format, and the force out.

Hair Rule
It's common place now in the NFL for guys to have flowing locks of hair protruding out from under their helmets. Troy Polamalu, and Ricky Williams fit the profile, and have have both been tackled by their curly, dreaded locks. Which raises the safety question. As it stands now the rule basically states that the player's hair is considered an extension of the jersey. The Kansas City Chiefs proposed that the league make it a rule that a player's hair should not cover the name on the back of the jersey. The mad genius at One For The Other Thumb thinks that it's a dumb rule, and I am inclined to agree. If it is an issue of safety then make it an illegal tackle. Amend the horse collar rule to include hair. If a guy is only able to make a tackle by grabbing hair, it means that he go beat. It's a last ditch effort. Thankfully the rule would not force players to cut their hair, they would just have to tuck it inside their helmets. Polamalu's hair is a part of his cultural identity, and he shouldn't be forced to cut it. This rule seems more like a marketing strategy, than a safety concern.

Playoff format
The competition committee has proposed a plan that would give Wild-Card teams a chance to host a home playoff game. The proposal would slot playoff seeds 3-6 by record. For example the Giants 10-6 wouldn't have had to open the playoffs at Tampa Bay 9-7 or Jacksonville 11-5 would not have had to go to Pittsburgh 10-6. I am not sure how I to feel about it, but my initial reaction was one of approval. It really doesn't matter either way, the format is never going to be flawless.

Receiver Force Out
It is being proposed that the pushed portion of the rule be removed. Rich McKay of the Atlanta Falcons, and Co-Chairman of the Competition committee had this to say, "The rule says a receiver can't be carried or pushed out of bounds by an opponent." he continued on stating, "We would delete 'pushed'...There are so many levels of judgment that go into a force-out call. This would be much more consistent. Either you get your feet down or not." I think that's a stupid idea. Get rid of the rule all together. Especially if your argument is that you get your feet down or don't. Removing the push out aspect makes no sense at all. That gives way to a defense just tee-ing off on a receiver who jumps straight up in the air to make the catch. The momentum aspect of the rule should be the part that is removed, if the rule is going to be changed.

So, that's all I got for ya today. Read it. Add your 2 cents.... Do you as please.

In Eagles News:
Linebacker and Special Teamer Rocky Boiman signed a one year deal. I give it 2 thumbs up.
Te Kris Wilson signed a three year deal.

Have a great weekend everyone, and have a drink you earned it!