In March, the NFL opted to table until May a proposed changes to the rules regarding hits against defenseless players and the use of the helmet when launching. Although many proposals that receive such treatment never again see the light of day, the NFL will be taking up the issue once again next week, when the league’s owners convene in Indianapolis.
Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com reports that the Competition Committee will make a “revised pitch” regarding changes to the unnecessary roughness rules that were regarded as too long, too broad, and too vague. Instead, three specific proposals will be presented.
Per Marvez, two of the proposed rules provide further protection for “defenseless” wide receivers. The other would ban illegal “launching,” which occurs when a defensive player leaves his feet in order to strike an opponent helmet first.