Between the Tush Push play made infamous by the Philadelphia Eagles and the league’s adjustments to the kickoff format, it’s clear that the NFL doesn’t always get things right when making changes to the rulebook. Then there would always be some changes that don’t make any difference at all.
For instance, nobody actually feels safer because the league has banned celebrations that include “violent gestures,” that is, shooting and holstering a finger gun. Of course, some rule changes have proven to be more egregious than others.
So, when USA Today Sports allowed players to air some of their grievances by asking them what rules they would like to see changed, the list was anything but short.
“Offsides on the offense,” Brock Purdy said, listing his pick of the rule. “There’s some times where guys are not lined up on the ball, and there’s a flag that gets thrown for it where we’re all like, ‘Really?’”
Rob Gronkowski, one of the NFL’s most recognizable tight ends, felt that the league should reconsider its approach toward pass interference. “It’s kind of getting ridiculous,” the former New England Patriot stated as he halfway rolled his eyes.
Everyone from New Orleans, Louisiana, all the way up to Denver, Colorado, will likely agree with Gronk. The only issue, however, is that the league doesn’t seem to have any plans to make a change to either offensive or defensive PI this offseason.
Even though he was on the receiving end of his fair share of hits, former Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick pointed out the inconsistency when it comes to the roughing the passer penalty. He stated that the various ways in which you can incur a roughing the passer penalty – or not – have gotten out of hand. “That sh*t is so inconsistent, man,” he said.
However, it doesn’t appear as if most of their complaints will be met with any discussion during this year’s league meeting. Although, according to ProFootballTalk‘s Mike Florio, there are still a few things to keep an eye on throughout the coming months.
“The NFL has tried to move slowly and gradually in expanding the plays that are subject to replay review; look for that slow expansion to continue. People want transparency in replay review. I don’t expect that to happen anytime soon, but it could come down the road… There will also be talk about replacing the onside kick with a 4th & 13 play that the kickoff team would attempt to convert,” said Florio.
It’s also worth noting that Florio added that one head coach whom he spoke to about the potential changes promptly exclaimed, “I hate both of them.” Fans will likely have a similar response to that information. But then, it’s rather natural to be reluctant to change.
The fact of the matter is that football doesn’t look the same as it did 20 years ago, and it will also look different 20 years from now. If anything, let this simply serve as a reminder to appreciate what you have, because you can never be sure when you might lose it.