Despite the ongoing labor issues, the NFL acted on some rule changes. The owners voted to change the way instant replay is done. They also voted to move the kickoff back to the 35 yard line. However, the owners stopped short of moving touchbacks out to the 25 yard line. The league was interested in cutting back injuries by changing the way kickoff returns work. However, moving touchbacks to the 25 yard line would have been a terrible idea. It wouldn't have been the first dumb rule the NFL had. Here is a look at five of the worst rules in the NFL.
The Rooney Rule
The Rooney Rule is great in theory. The NFL decided to interview minority candidates for coaching positions, which is a great thing. However, there are many cases where teams misuse this rule. For example, take the Dallas Cowboys and Jason Garrett last season. It was all but official that Garrett would win that job after serving as the interim coach. But Dallas still had to interview a minority candidate, even though they already had their mind made up. This wasn't the first time this has happened. The Rooney Rule isn't bad, but the NFL needs to find away to make teams take the process seriously. Minority candidates should be interviewed with the chance to earn the job, not just to satisfy a rule.
Excessive Celebration
I'm okay with eliminating excessive celebration in college football. After all, they are amateur athletes. However, I think it is foolish in the NFL. They are professional athletes. Being taunted is a part of their game. In college football, you often see big schools play smaller schools. In those cases, excessive celebration is just mean. But it's not the same in the NFL. They are all paid and teams are on equal footing.
Ground Caused Fumbles
If a player hits the ground and loses the ball, it should count. The objective is to hold on to the ball until the play is over. A player should have to establish that he has the ball after he is down. When a player loses the ball as he hits the ground and gets to keep possession, it gets very annoying.
Touchback Rules On Punts
Why is it that a player can dive in to the end zone and knock the ball out on to the field. From there, his teammate can down it on the one yard line? To me, it's pretty stupid. If a player touches the ball in the air in the end zone, it should be down in the end zone. It may be exciting play, but the rule makes no sense.
The Tuck Rule
Ever since it was invented, the tuck rule has been mired in controversy. Quarterbacks get away with murder after they fumble the ball because officials cite this rule. Few rules have angered fans more than this. Quarterbacks get enough protection as it is. At least let them fumble the ball.
SOURCES
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