http://www.reddit.com/r/sports/comments/dobbo/i_proposed_a_rule_change_to_the_nfl_what_do_you/ During the 3rd Quarter of the 9/27/2010 Green Bay @ Chicago game the Packers were backed up to their 1 yard line. False start, half the distance to the goal to the half yard. False start again, half the distance to the goal to the quarter yard. Next Play Green Bay gains 7, play after that they gain 10. In this scenario, is half the distance to the goal going to mean anything? So I called the NFL, spoke with a director in the officiating department and proposed that instead of these meaningless half the distance to the goal penalties, why not simply back up the first down marker? So it's no longer 1st and 10 1/4 yards with first down at the 10. It's now 1st and 15 with first down at the 15. They jump again, 1st and 20 with first down at the 20. They said they'd kick the idea around at their next officiating meeting. But am I the only one? Wouldn't it make sense, in the case of the ball being on the 1 or under, to back up the first down markers? If the defense jumps offside I'm sure the offense would appreciate the penalty yardage but if the offense does it they are only "penalized" a fraction of a yard. What do you think?
It is interesting. Especially if you give the defense the choice on backing them up a few yards closer to the endzone or tacking on 5 yards to the end. Doesn't seem to work at the other end if the offense is near the goal line getting ready to score and the defense jumps offsides. There's nowhere to compensate on that end (as pointed out in the comments section of the article).
It's a good idea, but as stated, the offense doesn't get the same benefit on the other side of the field.
I don't know, unless you're inside the 1, half the distance could be huge. They could get an automatic first down instead of half the distance.
That is actually a really good idea, too bad it will never happen. That is a rule change that benefits the deffense, we all know that the NFL is only interested in Ryle changes that help the offense,leading to higher scoring games, that are more exciting to the uneducated casual fan.
an auto first down may be too much, how about an extra down. So they get just one extra play to try to score because of the penalty.
Maybe if the defense is offsides, they add another down for the offense. That would be a little harsh though. A little weird to hear "5th and goal on the 1". EDIT: ^^ Beat me to it.
The inverse should be after the first half the distance penalty, the next is ball on the one inch line.
I was going to say, if the D is offsides at their own 1, maybe add a down. But not like a 5th down. But they gain back a down (from 3rd and 1 to 2nd and 1). And if the roles were reversed, the D gets the marker moved to the 15. OR a choice for the offense to lose a down, maybe? The problem I'd see if we're moving the sticks is, if the offense is at their 1 on a 1st and 10 and an OL jumps, the markers get moved to the 15 (1st and 15). If on the next play, they pick up 2, then it becomes 2nd and 13. What happens on the subsequent down, if an OL jumps again? Do they move them back half the distance to the goal, and move the markers to the 18? 2nd and 18?? I think in my drunken stupor at the Stadium, I'll probably end up getting confused and want to fuck somebody up.
