Rule changes explained,Moving umpire to have most impact

[Jetfan13]

FOXBOROUGH — A small team of NFL on-field officials arrived at Gillette Stadium yesterday, and the officials brought with them a video outlining the league’s rules changes for the season.

Among them are the overtime change for the postseason and the standardization and expansion of the rule to protect defenseless players.

But the change that likely will affect the Patriots the most is the league’s decision to move the umpire from the defensive side of the ball to the offensive backfield.

After more than 100 umpire-player collisions last season — with serious injuries resulting from a handful of those — the competition committee thought it was best to move the officials out of harm’s way.

But with the umpire now farther from the line of scrimmage, it may make things difficult for teams like New England and Indianapolis, who excel at the hurry-up offense.

“The biggest impact is flow of the game,’’ back judge Billy Smith said during a presentation to the media on the rules changes. “For example, say it’s third and 12 with the Colts, the defense has their dime package, they’re [Colts] trained to rush up to the line to keep them in that dime package. With the umpire up there and spotting the ball, that’s probably not going to happen.’’

The umpire will be running in from behind the play to reset the ball, and then will have to go back to his position before play can resume; if the ball is snapped before the officials are set, it is a 5-yard penalty.

The move also could affect plays after the ball is snapped. Wes Welker in particular had become adept at using the umpire to set a pick on defensive players. He will not be able to do that now.

The change of scenery for umpires also could lead to a spike in holding calls.

Smith said he spoke with the umpire from Sunday’s Hall of Fame game, Butch Hannah, and Hannah said he saw much more than he ever had before from his new position, calling five holding penalties in the game.

The league average on holding calls, Smith noted, was two per game last season.

[Bruce Banner]

Smith said he spoke with the umpire from Sunday’s Hall of Fame game, Butch Hannah, and Hannah said he saw much more than he ever had before from his new position, calling five holding penalties in the game.

More holding calls will hurt pass protection. Could slide things in favor of running teams like the Jets.

[Jetsfan80]

More holding calls will hurt pass protection. Could slide things in favor of running teams like the Jets.

Not to mention how the article said that running a 2-minute drill will be more difficult. We're not a good 2-minute drill team anyways, so this will hurt other teams more than us as well.

[RutgersJetFan]

Never understood how over the past few years badly botched holding calls ruining countless games hasn't been a bigger story. Super Bowl included. Whatever they need to do, do it.