Pretty soon, they are just going to yell "Tackle!!!" and the play will be over.

NFL seems like they are going to adopt some new rules changes this year such as:

-Penalties for blind hits or hits to the head

-Penalties for hits to the head of defenseless receivers

-Penalties for "wedge formations" on kickoff returns

-Penalties for more than five players bunched on one side of onside kicks


I can understand the first two rules. The NFL is making it clear they are trying to take the concussion issue plaguing both former and current players seriously. One can only assume plays like Hines Ward's huge blind block made NFL owners seriously discuss outlawing such hits:



But as for the second two, they don't make much sense. First, the wedge, as the NFL defines it, is three players lined up to create a triangular formation to block in front of the ball carrier (n/h). This season, the NFL will only allow two players to be lined up together to block, hoping to cut back on injuries during kickoffs. The wedge has pretty much been around since the conception of football, and teams will have to adjust accordingly. Secondly, the new rule on the onsides kick will make it almost impossible for kicking teams to recover the kick. Look for teams to use the pop-up kick...which is much more dangerous for the receiving teams. I'd personally like to see all the guys lined up on one side and just to see a huge scrum go on the field.