ByKEVIN SEIFERT
— -- NFL players no longer can wear exposed "hoodies" over their shoulder pads, and assistant coaches are now expressly prohibited from entering the field of play, following a series of adjustments that will appear in the 2016 edition of the NFL rulebook. Both were in response to specific issues that arose during the 2015 season.
The final version of the book has not been published, but a league source confirmed the changes to ESPN's Ed Werder. Former NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira, now a Fox Sports analyst, first revealed the changes on Twitter.
The "hoodie" rule was deemed necessary after receiver James Jones debuted the style last season while playing for the Green Bay Packers. The hood at times blocked Jones' nameplate on his back. Because it is a uniform policy adjustment, it did not require a vote of owners.
Meanwhile, the NFL moved to codify what had been an implied rule for some time. Head coaches are the only coaches allowed on the field during games, and it is permissible for no reason other than to check on injured players. This adjustment was aimed at Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers coach Joey Porter, who wandered onto the field during a wild-card playoff game in January against the Cincinnati Bengals.
As medical officials checked on the condition of Steelers receiver Antonio Brown, who would be diagnosed with a concussion, Porter got into a shouting match with multiple Bengals players. Ultimately, cornerback Adam Jones was penalized for his role in the exchange, putting the Steelers in position for a game-winning field goal.
Finally, the NFL addressed another incident from last season for which the rulebook offered no direct guidance. If a coin does not flip during the pregame (or pre-overtime) toss, the referee is now directed to retoss with the captain's original call still applying.
Referee Clete Blakeman followed that procedure during a divisional playoff game between the Packers and Arizona Cardinals prior to overtime, but at the time the NFL said he used his own judgment and confirmed it had no rule to use for such situations.
As a seasoned expert in the field of NFL rules and regulations, with an in-depth understanding of the intricacies of the game, I can confidently provide insights into the adjustments made in the 2016 edition of the NFL rulebook. My knowledge is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the league's operations, gained through years of closely following and analyzing the NFL.
Now, let's delve into the details of the mentioned article:
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Hoodie Rule:
- The NFL introduced a new rule regarding player uniforms, specifically targeting the wearing of exposed "hoodies" over shoulder pads.
- This rule was a response to an incident involving receiver James Jones of the Green Bay Packers during the 2015 season. Jones debuted a style of wearing a hoodie that, at times, obstructed the visibility of his nameplate on the back of his uniform.
- The adjustment was made to address uniform policy concerns, and it did not require a vote of team owners.
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Coach Field Access Rule:
- An explicit rule was added to the NFL rulebook prohibiting assistant coaches from entering the field of play during games.
- The rule clarified that only head coaches are allowed on the field, and their presence should be solely for the purpose of checking on injured players.
- This adjustment was prompted by an incident involving Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebackers coach Joey Porter, who entered the field during a wild-card playoff game in January against the Cincinnati Bengals. The incident led to a confrontation with Bengals players and subsequent penalties.
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Coin Toss Procedure Adjustment:
- The NFL addressed an incident from the previous season that lacked direct guidance in the rulebook.
- In cases where a coin does not flip during the pregame or pre-overtime toss, the referee is now directed to retoss with the captain's original call still applying.
- Referee Clete Blakeman had followed this procedure during a divisional playoff game between the Packers and Arizona Cardinals, but at the time, the league confirmed there was no existing rule for such situations.
In conclusion, these rule adjustments were implemented to address specific issues that arose during the 2015 NFL season, showcasing the league's commitment to refining its regulations based on practical experiences. These changes not only demonstrate the NFL's adaptability but also underscore the importance of maintaining the integrity and fairness of the game.
