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NFL bans leaps over snapper; tables 10-min OT proposal
Michael McClymont Mar 28, 2017 1:13 PM
NFL owners voted to approve a number of new rules Tuesday, including a ban on defensive players leaping over the offensive line in an attempt to block kicks.
The play had grown in prominence in recent seasons. One of the most exciting plays of the 2016 season featured the block attempt: The Denver Broncos won a Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints with a blocked extra-point kick returned for a two-point conversion.
The replay review system will be different next season as well. Referees will no longer "go under the hood" and will instead receive a tablet to review plays. All replays will be centralized in the NFL's New York command center.
Owners also approved the disqualification of a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain unsportsmanlike conduct fouls; extended defenseless player protection to a receiver running a route; and prohibited crackback blocks by a player in motion.
Automatic ejections for egregious hits to the head area were approved as well, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports, a player safety measure.
Committing multiple fouls on the same play in order to manipulate the game clock is now considered unsportsmanlike conduct, and it's illegal to attempt to conserve time after the two-minute warning.
Another change to the playing rules will have the ball placed at the 25-yard line after a touchback as a one-year experiment.
One proposal that did not pass was the Washington Redskins' suggestion to place the ball at the 20-yard line if a free kick passed through the uprights, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.
The proposal to shorten overtime from 15 minutes to 10 minutes was opposed by nine teams, a source told Pro Football Talk. It's likely the rule will receive further examination at future meetings.
