No. A granny shot would bring the same penalty. You cannot use the ball as a prop at all ... meaning you cannot use it as a basketball, golf ball, tennis ball, bowling ball, etc.

Then he should do a mime block and fake a charge without the ball.

Actually, dunking without the ball, and not touching the goal posts, is a pretty darn good idea! Not sure how they could bust him for that!

Well the problem is that its you can't use the ball as prop and you can't even use the goal post as a prop either now. That is the rule that was changed.

True, so setting up some kind of prop by the fans would also draw a flag.

Whats interesting is that I think these rule changes are approved by the players association. Its not just Goodell being an ass.

I could be wrong on that, I'm still searching. I may be confusing fines approved by the CBA with rules approved by the owners.