So where did the rule come from prohibiting defensive players from pushing teammates on the line of scrimmage during field goal attempts?
Per a league source, players proposed the change during the annual February meeting with the Competition Committee to identify possible rule changes. Specifically, Redskins center Will Montgomery brought with him video examples of situations in which players were being pushed along the line during field goal attempts, causing possible injury.
The Competition Committee listened, became persuaded, and recommended the rule change. The owners voted in March to adopt it.
The source, who confirmed that it was the right call, also explained that Patriots coach Bill Belichick should not have been under the impression that only pushing from the second level was prohibited. As it was explained during visits to every team before the season, any pushing of players on the line of scrimmage -- including pushing from other players on the line of scrimmage -- constitutes a violation.