Rams brought up to speed on new rules

[RamWraith]

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Aug. 02 2008

MEQUON, WIS. — It's that time of year. Penalty flags went flying Friday at
Concordia University as four members of referee Jeff Triplette's crew were on
hand to work with Rams players and coaches. The group consisted of back judge
Steve Freeman, umpire Jim Quirk, head linesman Steve Stelljes and side judge
David Wyant. Most of their flags at Friday morning's practice were for
encroachment or offsides by the defensive line.

Members of NFL officiating crews annually visit all 32 teams during training
camp to work practices and meet with players and coaches. Some changes of
interest include:

— An elimination of the forceout rule. Players must now land with two feet in
bounds for a pass to be ruled complete. Only if a player is visibly "carried"
out of bounds by a defender will a pass be ruled complete. A simple "pushout"
will now be ruled incomplete.

— The 5-yard penalty for grasping the opponent's facemask has been eliminated.
A facemask penalty will now only be called for twisting, turning, or pulling
the mask, with a 15-yard penalty assessed.

— Most, but not all field goal attempts, will now be reviewable under the
instant replay system.

— A sideline-to-defense headset system will go into effect this season, similar
to the coach-to-quarterback system used on offense.

As part of the officials' media briefing, statistical breakdowns on penalties
were made available. Among the interesting nuggets:

— Despite all the emphasis on protecting quarterbacks, the number of roughing
the passer penalties called in 2007 — 62 — was the lowest in the league since
1993.

— The Rams had the fifth-highest total of false start penalties in the league
last year (31).

[ScottD413]

— An elimination of the forceout rule. Players must now land with two feet in
bounds for a pass to be ruled complete. Only if a player is visibly "carried"
out of bounds by a defender will a pass be ruled complete. A simple "pushout"
will now be ruled incomplete.

I'm a big fan of this rule. I feel it has gotten too easy for passing offenses lately. I'm glad the defenders are finally getting some help