Thread: NFL owners OK replay change, other new rules for 2021 season

NFL owners approved a series of new rules Wednesday for the 2021 season, including one that will expand the influence of replay officials amid ongoing demands from coaches for more oversight of game-day officials.

Owners rejected more robust proposals for a full-time sky judge, including one from the Baltimore Ravens that would have created a booth umpire. Instead, owners took the more modest step of giving the existing replay officials -- who sit in the press box of each stadium -- the authority to consult with referees on certain "specific, objective aspects of a play when clear and obvious video evidence is present," according to the language of the rule.

Replay officials will not be able to throw flags or reverse calls on their own. But they can now offer referees advice based on what they've seen on broadcast replays in the areas of possession, completed or intercepted passes, the location of the ball relative to the boundary or end line, and whether a player is down by contact. Previously, replay officials had been limited to participating in plays that were under review. Coaches will not have to throw challenge flags to prompt that advice, which some replay officials have been giving referees informally for years.

rest - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...es-2021-season

Rules proposal extends low block fouls to scrimmage downs (yes, more penalties)

http://www.footballzebras.com/2021/0...ore-penalties/

Originally Posted by Denver Native (Carol)

rest - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...es-2021-season

That article was written in a confusing manner.

Do I understand it right that now teams will have an option to convert a one-time 15-yard play in order to keep possession after a score instead of trying an on-side kick?

Originally Posted by NightTrainLayne

That article was written in a confusing manner.

Do I understand it right that now teams will have an option to convert a one-time 15-yard play in order to keep possession after a score instead of trying an on-side kick?

No that was tabled. They are tweaking the onside kick rules (i haven't read the specifics of this) and are going to test that this year and revisit the 15 yard play thing next year.

Originally Posted by BroncoWave

No that was tabled. They are tweaking the onside kick rules (i haven't read the specifics of this) and are going to test that this year and revisit the 15 yard play thing next year.

That's what I thought, but a couple of those paragraphs were very poorly written.

Where's Mo when you need him?

MO is busy growing out his stache.

I can’t wait til Ugs throws an Int to a LB wearing a number in the teens.