NFL Officating and Rules: Better or Worst for Ravens

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Based on last year's blatantly bad game changing, mind-blowing, blown and questionable calls that had an enormous affect on some of our games and overall 2015 record (3-5 at home & 5-11 overall) what is your opinion on how new rules (Chop Blocks, Taunting, Receptions?, 25 yard-line for Touch-backs, 2 Strike Personal Fouls Ejections, Game Clock Reviews, etc.)  are impacting or not our team.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/3/23/11288894/nfl-rules-changes-chop-blocks-cut-blocks-legal-illegal-explanation

There still seems to be a lot of grey areas and there have been some very controversial calls leading to win/lose records already in this season. We've seen a lot of crazy stuff since the Ravens were formed, but is it getting better or worst for us going forward?

 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Just to open the conversation...I think that at least 2 new rules have already impacted our team schemes and approaches:

• New Chop-Block Rule - It's why we're seemingly systematically abandoning our 'Zone Strength Blocking' Scheme: As Harb prophetically stated his objections this summer it has changed the game. It's almost possible to execute without the 'old chop-block' technique. The emergence of West and Dixon along with our O-line success will validate the scheme change. We've always been able to adapt-and-adjust.
• The Kick-off Rule - We've got one of the prolific, elite kickers in the game. Only lesser kickers suffered there. nuff said.

Don't know what's going to happen going forward for us, but it's been light and day from negatively, bad penalty calls on us this season. Refs get a B- (good, but missed a couple) and rules get a A- (pretty good) so far as we're concerned. I voted 'Better' for that although (If it changes) I'll be the 1st to change my vote.

 

[KBoum]

The new kick off rule is kinda stupid imo. Kickers will kick HIGH kicks because they don't want to give up the ball at the 25. If you want to eliminate kick off, let the receiving team chose if they want to start automatically at the 25 or try to return the kick off for a bigger gain if they have a strong unit. That way we'll probably see some less kicks returns. Some players designed as Special Teams players might lose their job in favor for some more upside/raw project. 

 

Nowadays teams will cut some young talented players to make room for special teams players and thats alright with me. Special teams are almost a 1/3 of the game and it's really important and explosive. But if the NFL want to slowly eliminate kick offs, the new rule isn't working so well in my opinion.

[Halshayeji]

First of all, great post Flocks!

As far as rule changes, iv never been a fan of how the NFL is watering down the game so much. Defenses are getting crippled and offenses are going hung ho pass happy like never before. Look at the Jags for example. Mediocre QB, above average WRs and a descent line. Oh and below average RBs. Now way should they get 4000 yards passing and look like elite teams on the stat sheet. The defenseless receiver rule is weak and implementation is pathetic. At least half the calls are wrong imo. So I'm not that opposed to eliminating chop blocks as it evens the playing field a bit. Also I gotta admit, a chop block is like a sucker punch in a fight lol.

As far as the new KickOff rule. I don't understand why we don't allow Hester to return every single kick. Keep in mind that Jacoby return was 109 yards. Sure Hester will get stopped a few times before the 25 but I don't see much of a drop off if he gets to the 17 vs the potential of him taking it the distance or to midfield.

on the other side of the spectrum. I hope that we continue to kick it high and allow our guys to make stops prior to the 25. Sure I sound a little hypocritical but bare with me here. We have one of the best ST coaches and one of the best ST units as a whole. If we can consistantly keep returns under 20 and then a few penalties here and there and our opponents start returning close to the 10 all of a sudden.

gotta give some love to our ST and hope we start fielding punts as well as we've been playing ST every other situation.