Rule changes that I would like to see.

[Dave Gray]

I am going to operate under the given that the NFL is changing and that QBs are going to be protected.  ...so, while I'd like to see some of those rules rolled back, it ain't happenin'.  Here's how I say you fix it.

First, outline the problem:  In my opinion, penalties are becoming too much a factor in the game.  They are applied too liberally, they seem to penalize people for making otherwise good plays, and they are being used as bait plays in some cases, where teams run a play trying to draw a flag.

Idea 1: Make personal fouls on the QB (for hits to the head, low tackles, driving into the ground, late hit, etc) have two levels, similar to what they've done to roughing/running into kicker and 5/15 facemask penalties.  Leave it up to the discretion of the ref whether or not the contact was incidental (like a slap in the head trying to bat a ball) and reckless play.

Idea 2: Allow judgement calls to be reviewed.  It may open Pandora's box, but so be it -- let refs look at PI and personal foul calls and overturn if needed.  The game happens so fast that trying to judge whether something was early or late or a hit to the head or chest is just too much to ask and the stakes are too high.

Idea 3: (Not a rule change, but a change in focus)  The final thing the refs need to consider is if the contact in PI calls affected the outcome of the play.  Too often, there are calls made where the ball is untouchable, but there's contact.  Maybe you also create a new penalty for something in between defensive holding and PI for calls where there is contact, but there was no realistic chance of defender catching the ball.  As is, an uncatchable pass means it has to be about 10 yards away.

[dolphins4life]

I think PI in the end zone should be half the distance to the goal

[Landshark]

Pass interference should be 15 yards, not spot of foul.  To big of an advantage on the long pass

[Pappy13]

Pass interference should be 15 yards, not spot of foul.  To big of an advantage on the long pass

Agree unless it's intentional like the PI that Wallace drew a couple weeks ago where the guy just tackles him so that he can't score. That should be a spot foul.

[MikeO]

Any Pass interference that results in the ball being advanced over 25 yards should be review-able. Not ALL pass interference calls so if its  10 or 15 yard pass that gets called for PI,....can't challenge that, Just the "big" ones. I say 25 yards but if its 30 or 35 or whatever....something along those lines

[el diablo]

I also believe that PI should only be a 15 yd penalty. Offensive PI isn't an automatic 4th down. So why should defensive PI be an automatic possible 55 yd gain?

Defensive holding should be a 5 yd penalty. Not an automatic 1st down.

I would also agree with the grading of roughing the passer. With the 15 yd variety being an automatic review. If the play results in the lesser 5 yd variety, then it's only a 5 yd penalty. No automatic 1st down. No fine for the offender. Incidental contact is going to happen. You should not be penalized twice for that. Side note: plays like the Ahmad Brooks hit on Drew Brees would be seen as a non foul. There was no contact with the head. No malicious intent.

Treating the 15 yd roughing the passer like they do flagrant fouls in the NBA, I believe is the way to go.  You get fined for them & after so many there is a suspension. The only difference I would make is that if a penalty isn't called during the game, you cannot get fined/suspended after the game.

[MikeO]

Defensive holding should be a 5 yd penalty. Not an automatic 1st down.

Disagree with this one. Cause then every DB will hold all the time if its only 5 yards and not an automatic first down. What's 5 yards in the big picture!

[Phishfan]

If they hold every time then twice is a first down in the big picture.

I'd like to see them do away with the seldom seen rule where a player on punt coverage who goes out of bounds cannot be the first person to touch the ball. I can understand keeping it if they run out on their own but if forced out by a blocker I don't like it. What sport except football doesn't allow a player back into the field of play?

[Spider-Dan]

These rule changes would have much more serious effects than you all are considering.  Remember in the SB last year when BAL had to "punt" out of their end zone (read: took intentional safety) and the punt protection team basically just tackled all the punt block team because holding in the end zone has the same result?

If defensive holding is only a 5 yard penalty, then near the end of games (when teams are trying to come back) you would see players getting absolutely mugged.  Same goes for DPI.

[MikeO]

If defensive holding is only a 5 yard penalty, then near the end of games (when teams are trying to come back) you would see players getting absolutely mugged.  Same goes for DPI.

Yep!!

[Dave Gray]

I agree with this.  I am afraid of the 15 yards max for PI, because I think that you'll see the penalty used on purpose to manipulate the game.  The long ball in the NFL is too much a rarity as it is, and I'd have to incentivize taking that that away.

I do like Mike's idea of challenges over X amount of yards.  I also like the 1/2 the distance to the goal penalty for PI in the endzone.

[el diablo]

Disagree with this one. Cause then every DB will hold all the time if its only 5 yards and not an automatic first down. What's 5 yards in the big picture!

I disagree with this point. Why not just jump offsides every play? Taking away the automatic 1st down portion of the penalty doesn't create an incentive to hold. It takes away a cheap offensive 1st down. If the ball is thrown to a receiver that is being held, it becomes PI. The automatic 1st down
wn then comes back into play.

[Dave Gray]

I disagree with this point. Why not just jump offsides every play?

Because jumping offsides almost always gets called.  Holding is missed regularly.  Additionally, you would hold in response to getting beaten, where you know a bigger play is coming, whereas jumping offsides happens before the play starts.

[MikeO]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/03/bill-belichick-why-not-let-coaches-challenge-everything/

Belichick makes a good point and he is 100% right

[Cathal]

^^^ They should be able to.