NFL

Players Can Wear No. 0, Roughing the Passer Not Reviewable, and More

Published

1 year ago

March 28, 2023

darragh

The 2023 NFL owners meetings are the best opportunity for rule changes to happen. NFL Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay delivered some good news and bad news to franchises, players, and fans alike on Tuesday when he announced how several key votes went down. We tallied the results of the NFL rule proposals to see where the league got it right, and which proposals passed or fell short.

For rules to pass, at least 75%, or 24 of 32, owners must approve of the proposition. There were eight competition-based rules proposals and nine club-playing rules proposals. Nine total rules were passed.

Let’s dive into the results.

NFL Rule Proposals Results

Players Can Start Wearing No. 0

The Philadelphia Eagles successfully won their bid to allow the usage of the number zero (“0”), and kickers and punters to use any jersey number between 0-49 and 90-99. The number zero became a first-time sight for collegiate fans in 2022 when the NCAA adopted this rule. The NFL now follows college football.

MORE: 100% Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator

This is a tough one to love. For as good as the No. 1 looks on a receiver, No. 0 isn’t especially attractive. Despite this, new Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley quickly announced that he’ll be the first player in franchise history to wear the number. Count me in as skeptical on this one.

Onside Kicks Were Not Amended

The Eagles were unsuccessful in their other key playing rules proposition. They sought an alternative to onside kicks to help make the game safer and slightly increase the chances of retaining possession of the ball. Philadelphia wanted to substitute one offensive play as a 4th-and-20 attempt from the kicking team’s 20-yard line for an onside kick attempt.

McKay said, “there’s not a lot of support” for the proposition, noting there’s a historical success rate of 13-14% of recovering an onside kick. He said the league is coming off a year with a 4% success rate, which is the lowest ever.

However, this lack of excitement hasn’t led to a universal desire to reward trailing teams just yet. I’d expect this one to be revised and possibly gain momentum in future years.

Roughing The Passer Is Not Reviewable

The most surprising result from the NFL owners meetings was that the Los Angeles Rams’ proposal on roughing the passer wasn’t approved. Despite fans bemoaning the current trend of bad roughing the passer calls, McKay said there was little support for adding a review option for the penalty, noting “it wasn’t a long discussion” amongst teams.

The Detroit Lions were unsuccessful in two similar amendments, including a third coaches’ challenge, and expanding the official’s jurisdiction to allow for consultation regarding the penalty assessment. The New York Jets sought to increase the definition of a crackback block to include players in motion who block a defender below the waist but were also unsuccessful.

The Definition of Launch Changes

The NFL was certainly concerned about increasing the ability to protect players by tweaking some language on current rules, even if some new rules weren’t adopted. The definition of what a launch means now includes when a player leaves one or both feet. McKay said this is part of a health and safety initiative that continues to punish risky behaviors.

Play Clock on Instant Replay Fixed

The Los Angeles Chargers proposed that the play clock could be adjusted after an instant replay reversal. This is a minor move that mirrors other timing rules, but one that can help teams avoid delay-of-game penalties after instant replays. This is a positive fix that can help keep the game clock moving.

Tripping Penalty Upgraded as a Personal Foul

Goodbye, five-yard penalties for tripping. The competition committee sought to make tripping a penalty a more severe offense, and they succeeded in passing the rule.

Fourth-Down Replays Expand

The Houston Texans sought an amendment for the replay official’s jurisdiction to allow for reviews on fourth-down attempts, and their efforts passed. This expansion adds clarity to treat the down as any other, instead of limiting what teams can challenge due to a change of possession.

Forward Handoffs and Illegal Kicks Will Be Penalized Equally

The competition committee made the penalties for two moves equal to other similar acts. Handing the ball forward, which was already illegal, will now be penalized in line with illegal forward passes. Illegal punts, drop kicks, or place kicks will now also be penalized as an illegal forward pass.

Offense Loses Foul Benefit at Halftime

In a way of cleaning up small rule loopholes that could help an offense have another play as the clock reaches halftime, the competition committee passed a rule to prevent that occurrence. Now, offenses can no longer benefit from committing a foul that would give them another play on an untimed down.

Impermissible Use of the Helmet Terms Updated

The competition committee removed language that included the terms “butt, ram, spear” from Article 8 and moved them into Impermissible Use of the Helmet. This seems more mechanical but will again hopefully help officials enforce player safety standards on the field.

Touchbacks Not Changed

There were proposals on the table from the competition committee to change both the punt touchback and kickoff touchback rules. Both failed despite the propositions favoring offensive output and trying to encourage players to take a touchback by moving the ball to the receiving team’s 25-yard-line. The kickoff mechanics will be revisited and could be adjusted.

MORE: Lamar Jackson to Falcons? Odell Beckham Back to L.A.?

This one is a disappointing outcome considering kickoffs have been essentially a waste of time over the last few years. The small handful of returns we see are rarely worthwhile.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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NFL

What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL

NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.