SmashMouth

The NFL has passed a new rule for this season that says any player who initiates contact with his helmets is subject to ejection after an in-game video review that will be decided in New York.

Al Riveron, the league's head of officiating, said a foul can be called regardless of where on the body -- not just the head or neck area -- that one player hits another with his helmet. The rule is not position-specific, so offensive players will be subject to the same criteria as defensive players.

"This is about eliminating unnecessary use of the helmet," Riveron said Tuesday at the NFL spring meetings.

If a player is ejected, Riveron and his staff in New York will use network camera angles to determine if the ejection is necessary. He promised that games will not become "an ejection fest" every week.

"Immediately when I learn in New York that there's an ejection, I will ask the network to give me everything you've got," Riveron said. "I will take a look at it, I will rule on it and I will say yes, he's ejected, (or) no, leave him in the game.

"Play will stop, and we will expedite it. That's why we won't have the referee come over and we're not going to get the replay official involved," Riveron said. "The only way the replay official will be involved is he will call it and immediately tell the command center, we have an ejection on 'No. 22 White.'"

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foreverfan

My first thought is this can't be great for a team the NFL doesn't want in the playoffs because of TV ratings.

Barry from MS

First thought: While baseball is doing all it can to speed up games, the NFL continues to fearlessly & confidently march in the opposite direction.

neugey

It's not about safety. It's all about control. Life under Roger.

jeanpierre

jeanpierre

Smash may remember this - when I was a young teenager in our fraternity, our fearless leaders started to insure our activities...

When it was all done, some of our best and most successful activities including, but not limited to (this was the moment I learned that phrase), rifle matches, baseball, football (even flag football and punt/pass/kick), fishing rodeos were eliminated as activities...

I remember one of the older members standing up at the Lake Charles Conclave stating something like all that's left is basket weaving and spooning, we might as well just shut it down now...

This reminds me of that moment; Thankfully, some common-sense adults went and found us affordable insurance to bring back most of our sports...

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

jeanpierre

And I can see yet another slippery slope where the rule is enforced unevenly and the outcomes of games are changed by the league...

TheOak

Longer games = More commercial revenue.

vpheughan

YET LET'S POST THREADS ABOUT PLAYERS "STILL SUFFERING WITH CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS" MONTHS AFTER THE HIT!!!!

saintsfan1976

I didn’t read any mention of fines. Ejection for severe hits ala Vontez Burfic? Sure. But you want real reform then hit em in the wallet.

I’d like to take it a step further. Violent crimes, illegal activities should hit the franchise in its wallet through loss of draft picks or revenue.