How Proposed NFL Rule Changes May Impact the New England Patriots

Multiple rule changes will be discussed and voted on at the annual NFL Owner’s Meetings that began today. Some will impact the New England Patriots directly.

The New England Patriots did not submit any rule changes this year, but some that will be voted in will surely impact the team.

The NFL Owner’s Meetings began Sunday and will run through Wednesday. The owners will be voting on multiple rule changes or amendments.

The proposed rule change that would directly affect the Patriots is one that was submitted by the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles have submitted a rule change to prohibit a player from leaping over an offensive line to try to block a field goal or extra point. The New England Patriots have used this tactic successfully plenty of times. This past season it was linebacker Shea McClellin making the leap against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. Jamie Collins successfully blocked an extra point attempt against the Colts.

The NFL’s head of officiating Dean Blandino seems to be in favor of the proposed rule change.

"“We’ve seen several examples where the players have been flipped over, land on their head, their neck, and a potential for a serious injury is certainly increased when you have a player in a vulnerable position, who’s now going to be knocked off balance and really can’t control the way they land. So I think that’s probably the biggest thing and we have seen that on tape as to why the proposal will be voted on.”"

The rule change will likely be approved, so say goodbye to one of the most exciting special teams plays there is.

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The Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks have both proposed a rule change that would allow coaches to challenge any official’s decisions, besides scoring or turnover plays.

This would make sure that the right call was made. They have also submitted to increase the number of available challenges but there is not set number as of now that they are looking for.

Another rule up for change is allowing teams to wear an alternate helmet during the season. For the past few seasons, the NFL has limited teams to one shell per season. They claim it is for safety reasons, but some colleges change helmets each week. There seems to be no real link between new helmets and injuries.

The rule change would allow the Patriots to wear their red or white Pat Patriot throwbacks with white helmets once again. The fans love the red throwbacks, especially in the snow, so this is one rule change I hope gets approved.

There are 24 rule changes in all that NFL owner’s will vote on. Many focus on the pace of play issues to speed up the game, and they’ll directly impact the Patriots as well.

Next: Patriots Positions That Still Need a Lift

Let’s all hope the NFL gets it right with the proposals this year.

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