NFL Referee Bill Leavy led an officiating crew that visited with the Denver Broncos this week, explaining rule changes and points of emphasis for the 2011 season.
The crew worked the team’s practices on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, giving the players and coaches an early look at how the season will be officiated.
Below are the key rule changes and points of emphasis to watch for this season:
Kickoffs are moved to the 35-yard line, kicking team may not line up more than five yards behind the 35-yard line
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: With the additional five yards, expect more kickers to put the ball deep in the end zone – resulting in more touchbacks and fewer injuries on kickoff returns.
Since the coverage team will be limited to a five yard running start, there will be fewer full-speed collisions downfield.
Penalty: If the kicking team lines up more than five yards behind the restraining line (35-yard line), it will be flagged for illegal procedure (5 yards).
All scoring plays will be reviewed by the replay booth and coaches can no longer challenge any scoring plays
Reasoning: To increase the fairness of the game, the NFL Competition Committee determined that all scoring plays (including touchdowns, field goals, safeties and point after touchdown attempts) should be reviewed.
What to look for: Immediately following all scoring plays, the referee will hold action until he receive a message of ‘confirmed’ or ‘under review’ his pager. If the score is under review, the procedure will mirror the current review process where the referee and replay official will work together to determine the correct call.
As before, if no conclusive evidence exists to overturn the call, the ruling on the field will stand. If the score was confirmed by the replay official, game action will continue.
The replay official will examine all aspects of the scoring play during the review, including counting the number of players on the field for both teams.
Penalty: If a coach attempts to challenge a scoring play, it will result in a 15-yard penalty.
Contact with a quarterback’s head is no longer penalized, unless it is a ‘forcible blow’
Reasoning: The NFL Competition Committee did not want to penalize defensive players for incidental contact with quarterbacks.
What to look for: NFL officials will not throw flags for roughing the passer when defensive players graze the helmets of quarterbacks.
Penalty: None – as long as contact is incidental and not a ‘forcible blow.’
Playing surface must be a league-approved shade of green
Reasoning: To preserve the uniform appearance of all NFL games.
What to look for: All NFL fields will be green, preventing stadiums from utilizing different colors, as is permitted by the NCAA.
Penalty: N/A.
Key points of emphasis for 2011:
Updated the definition of launching
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: Any player that leaves both feet to spring upward and forward to deliver a hit will fall under the definition of launching.
Penalty: Unnecessary roughness – 15 yards and the launching defender may be ejected from the game.
Updated the definition of a defenseless player
Reasoning: Increased player safety as a result of broadening the protection for defenseless players.
What to look for: Defenseless players were expanded to include players in the act of or immediately after throwing a pass, a player who has not had time to protect himself after attempting to make a reception, a runner whose forward progress has stopped, a player on the ground at the end of the play, a kicker or punter who is not engaged, a kick or punt returner in the process of fielding a kick in the air and players who receive blindside blocks.
Penalty: Unnecessary roughness – 15 yards.
Horsecollar tackles
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: Grabbing the inside collar of the shoulder pad or jersey and immediately pulling down a runner will continue to be illegal. In 2011, this will be flagged, even if the runner is not pulled all the way to the ground.
Penalty: Unnecessary roughness – 15 yards.
Runners and tacklers will be penalized equally for grasping and twisting an opponent’s facemask
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: In the past, facemask penalties have been primarily whistled on defensive players. In 2011, officials have made it a point of emphasis that the rule is applied consistently to all players – regardless of whether they are offensive or defensive players.
Penalty: Facemask – 15 yards.
To complete a catch, the receiver must have a firm grip and control of the ball, two feet (or another part of the body – besides for his hands) on the ground and he must maintain control of the ball long enough to perform an act ‘common to the game.’
Reasoning: To clarify the definition of a catch.
What to look for: All three of the requirements must be met for a play to be ruled a catch. If a player goes to the ground, he must maintain control throughout the entire process of contacting the ground.
Penalty: N/A
- Stuart Zaas
Have a question to pose to you guys. Say orton is our starting qb, how many games does he play(or lose) before we turn the keys over to tebow? I was thinking if he has more than 4 losses before week 8 tebow should get his chance. What you guys think?
Well Shoot, I was hoping it would say:
No team shall start quarterback who is unable to avoid oncoming rushers by evading, running from, or making purposeful movement to avoid a sack.
Reasoning:
Bronco fan sanity.
THAT would have solves our QQ in a hurry.
I don’t like the launching rule. It seems like good, clean, and super athletic plays like this one are illegal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DyzASDVpwU
Good one 3rd gen.
I am also not too thrilled about the lunging rule and kinda don’t like the defenseless player rule. Even worse is the fact that you can get penalized for challenging a TD … REALLY? what happened to the good ol days when they would just tell you “the play is not reviewable by a coach” … thats like saying if you challenge in the last 2 mins you are penalized. Maybe thats how it is and i just don’t know. Anyway, thx for the info.
lol @ 3rdGeneration. funny, funny
The rule where coaches can’t challenge a scoring play & get penalized if they try to… ridiculous! 15 yards for trying to challenge a score? (shakes head in confusion) lol
And the defenseless player thing… how does that affect the way QBs are sacked, if they are in the act of throwing a pass? Need some clarification on that one.
GO BRONCOS 2011!!!
The launching rule is ridiculous. How do you tackle with both feet not leaving the ground? Run through yhe guy? ya, but only when you can. Come on!
The launching penalty is a freaking joke. Are you kidding me?!
Well technically I believe they teach defenders to tackle with both feet on the ground. You get alot of power when grounded. They didn’t say you cannot dive, you just can’t lung/launch which is wat most big hitters do. I am not a fan of the rule, especially since I dont think its specific enough. But hey, it is what it is. TRB out
They just threw that launching rule in as another subjective way to fine James Harrison. I wouldn’t worry about it.
Just had a proud Bronco fan moment. I was helping the wife put clean sheets on the bed, and she says, “Put your “blue” corner back on your side.” My wife is very girly so our room has fancy designer decor with some overly priced set of sheets. Anyway, the one thing she let’s me keep in the room is my Bronco pillow case which has actually died the sheet it sits on a hint of blue. Hell yeah. GO ORANGE AND BLUE!
Well? Guess this ices those Orton to Miami rumors. For now
http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?w=1aw8p&storyId=6843025&disableShare=true&adBlock=block&i=SC&hidePageFooter=true&hidePageHeader=true
So Marshall has some issues? All joking inside, I hope he gets his act together. For Darrents sake
For those who love their stats…
http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?w=1aw8q&storyId=6835090&disableShare=true&adBlock=block&i=SC&hidePageFooter=true&hidePageHeader=true
If you can make sense of it, fill me in. LOL kddn
Let’s just play football!!!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Good stuff sndvl. I am curious to see how our QB’s compare on that.
Does anyone know how bad Mario Fannin knee injury is?
They are calling it a sprained knee. He cleared waivers and is now on our IR list.
…The NFL will have no choice but to go back to the old rules after fans stop watching because of crap like this!….I believe we will begin to see alot more games be decided by the zebras!
So he is on our IR so then he has a chance at him being around for camp and making the team next year then?
I agree about coaches getting penalized for challengeing.
The launching rule looks very stupid, surely that makes it impossible to stop a goal line run when the runner just jumps over the defense who will be penalised if they jump back?
Article onMoorw out of the Denver Post. I’m very impressed with his attitude and work ethic. I’m excited to see how it translates to the field.
Rahim Moore is a bit of a copycat.
If you want to be great, the Broncos’ rookie safety from UCLA believes, act like the greats.
Whatever cornerback Champ Bailey wears, Moore wears. At training camp Friday afternoon, Bailey and Moore had long, navy blue sleeves under their jerseys. Bailey, 33, was flattered.
“I guess that means I’m old,” Bailey said, laughing. “I had guys that I looked up to that I played with, so I can relate to what he’s going through.”
Moore stayed after practice to run sprints and backpedal several hundred yards, which he says helps condition him for the fourth quarter of games. The second-round draft pick has been working with the Broncos’ first-team defense since Day One of training camp.
“Being on this grass is like heaven. It’s the only place I feel safe,” Moore said of doing extra work after practice. “It’s always good to get that extra because someone else is running off the field. When you stay on the field, it makes you that much better.”
It’s already apparent to Bailey that Moore has the potential for NFL stardom. Bailey said Moore listens to feedback, and that he puts in the preparation it takes to be a special player.
“There have been times where he’s gotten on me in a good way and I welcomed it,” Moore said of Bailey’s help on the field. “Sometimes when I’m stuck or I’m not too sure of what’s going on, he’s always helping me. It’s a blessing to wake up one morning and to know that you’re going to be entering that greatness with them.”
Moore also has charmed Broncos coach John Fox. They have an inside joke, Moore said: Put the pedal to the metal, as long as you’re not in neutral or reverse.
Fox said he’s most impressed with Moore’s ballhawking skill and his mental quickness.
“Even in the evaluation process,” Fox said, “he has his hands on the ball a lot, so he has a lot of interceptions. Ball skills as a deep defender in this league are big because turnovers are big. He’s wired smart and he makes good decisions. He’s a young player (who has) good football intelligence. I’ve felt his impact already.”
The jump to the NFL hasn’t appeared to be difficult for Moore, who made 37 starts in the three seasons he played at UCLA. It helps, he said, that he spends more time studying the playbook than he did with the Bruins. He also appreciates having hundreds of Broncos fans at practice during training camp. That creates a game atmosphere, he said, which motivates him to play hard even if he makes a mistake.
“The first day I got here, (the coaches) said, ‘Moore, we’re going to throw you in with the ones (starters) and see what you’re made of.’ And that was it,” he said. “I didn’t know anything, but I did know it was football. And I know that I told myself, ‘If you make a mistake, make it full speed.’ ”
Sarah Kuta: 303-954-1033 or skuta@denverpost.com
*on Moore
Man, I am just so JACKED to see some Broncos football……even if it is only pre-season!
Bring on dem cowboys! Can’t wait to see what this team looks like in real game action!
We have a great end, maybe 2 depending on what Ayers does this year. We have a potentially great LB who is already showing flashes of brilliance, we have DJ whos good, we have a great corner, and potentially 2 great safties, with Moore already showing promise. We have a proven DT in Warren Anyway, we have the makings of a potentially great defense. As I see it we’re a player or two short and a year or two away from a top tier defense if we play our cards right. Add another CB (depending on how Thompson develops), add another DT, and potentially another LB (depending how Irving develops) and we’re there with a little more experience.
Offensively we’re close too. Our line has great potential and is young, our receivers are solid, our TE’s are showing promise with flashes of potential greatness, Moreno will hopefully show up this year and McGahee is proven in short yardage and in the redzone. Our biggest and most important challenge is at QB which has been discussed at nauseum, so I won’t touch that.
Anyway, our potential is great and looks to be returning to our winning tradition as long as we can execute and develop our young players
With every player safety rule, the wording of the rule, viewing of the rule, and deciding whether or not to throw a flag and issue a penalty is always subjective. Until we can develope a way to remove the human aspect the referee we’ll always have both sides arguing over player safetly rules.
With all due respect the retired veterans seem to always have health issues, whether it be from concussions or whatever. Even though they may be taking some fun out of the game, I think their ultimate goal is to preserve the player’s lives. While some of the rules seem dumb (which in some cases they are) I think we’ll just have to accept that the days of making people’s heads roll from bone jarring hits are rapidly diminishing.
I have a bit of a problem with “RULES CHANGING”!!! It’s not that I don’t want the players to be safe and protected – of course I want these special players to play as long as possible and to have exciting fullfilling careers in the NFL.
HOWEVER, it comes down to competition – it comes down to the fact that the kickoff for instance is an exciting part of the game – and the kick return is where some guys make there living!!!
It’s some of those fringe players – some of those players on the bubble of making the team or not making the team (thanks to special teams)
And let’s be honest I expect more from a professional Football Player than a college or high school player. I expect the game to be at it’s highest strength and power. I expect it to be brutal, powerful, full speed, full tilt – with big collisions (LIKE ON KICKOFF)!!!
CHANGE THE RULES = CHANGE THE GAME!!! Do we want that???
GO BRONCOS!!!
I always felt “LAUNCHING” is FOOTBALL!!!
At least the funnest part of the game to watch! So my favorite part of the game is being removed from the NFL = THAT IS LAME!!!
From reading the rule. you could make a case that you can still “launch”, you just can’t launch at the head. It says “upward and forward” so if you aim at the chest/midsection, by the rule. you could still essentially launch into the tackle. Looks to me like they are trying to stop head-hunting more than anything else.
That’s what I’m talking about. The rules just state the rule, motion, and penalty. How the rule is interpreted is up to the ref. I’m with henryac in that launching for the head would be what they’re referring to. It just isn’t one rule that is clear cut it is a combination of rules that make it a penalty. For instance “launching” and tackling a player would be ok, however “launching” and making helmet to helmet contact would be the penalty. I’m not saying all of these rules are good or bad, but they have to be assessed accordingly and with common sense.
Yea I agree with everyone with launching…but I’m also upset that EVERY scoring play is gonna be reviewed..that’s stupid and gonna make games longer than what they have to be..especially if its like a easy walk in touchdown the refs still have to take their time and watch the replay..pointless
The most tricky one I think is a defenseless player is one who’s “forward progress is stopped.” When I think of that I think of a RB how’s fighting for yards, and his forward progress is stopped but he keeps fighting for yards. A defensive player comes in an makes a huge “legal” hit to tackle him. To me as long as a player is going to fight for yards you should have the right to lay legal hits to him.
The helmet-to-helmet rule is the one I have the most problem with. If you break down to tackle a running back and he drops his head to hit you, how is that helmet-to-helmet on the defense? The running back initiated the contact and changed his position to hit with the helmet. To me, that should be a penalty on the offense or, more sensibly, a no-call. It should be ruled incidental contact. I understand the need for player safety rules but slanting them to one side versus the other doesn’t make the players safer, it only takes away from the game.
Since Bay is not posting I will take up the challenge to post information. This is Legwood on our dual threat rushing attack.
John Fox began his NFL coaching career as a defensive backs coach under Chuck Noll.
And this just in: Noll knew a thing or two about defense and championships. The hardware that sparkles in the Steelers’ complex is more than proof of that as is the legacy of the Steel Curtain.
In his time as a defensive coach, especially as a defensive coordinator and head coach, Fox has since proved he knows exactly what to do with proficient edge rushers.
Michael Strahan set the league’s single-season sack record at 22-1/2 in 2001 with Fox as the Giants’ defensive coordinator. In Fox’s time as the Carolina Panthers head coach, Julius Peppers had six 10-sack seasons and Mike Rucker had two.
Those totals included 2002 and 2003, when both Peppers and Rucker had at least 10 sacks.
The last time the Broncos had two players with 10 sacks in the same season was 1991, when Simon Fletcher finished with 13-1/2 and Mike Croel had 10 for a 12-4 team that eventually lost to Buffalo in the AFC championship game.
Which brings us to what Fox had to say about Saturday’s little dress rehearsal at Invesco Field at Mile High about the potential of rookie linebacker Von Miller and defensive end Elvis Dumervil.
“They’re going to be special,” Fox said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, but they’re both special talents. Von’s got to get used to the NFL, the speed of the game. That’s what the preseason’s for.”
While the almost constant buzz about the Broncos’ quarterback situation has made the rounds here and nationally, the real story — or at least the best story in this training camp so far for those who pay their hard-earned money to sit in the seats on Sunday — may be the real, legitimate potential of what Dumervil and Miller could do in the pass rush.
Few things transfer from college football to pro football better than the ability to get to the passer. It almost trumps workout numbers (see: Suggs, Terrell) or height and weight (see: Dumervil, Elvis). If a guy has been an elite pass rusher in college and is willing to work as a pro, he has an excellent opportunity to be a top-tier rusher in the NFL.
Dumervil had a 20-sack season as a senior at Louisville, and Miller had 17 as a junior at Texas A&M. Dumervil has certainly transitioned well into the NFL, having led the league in sacks in 2009 with 17. And the feeling among scouts is that Miller should do well because of his explosiveness.
And working together will certainly help them both. It will be a difficult choice for offenses because, as Fox has already shown both in practices and in the scrimmage, he will move them around the formation to find the matchups the Broncos like.
Since his hire, Fox has clearly been excited about the prospects of having Dumervil, who had two sacks in a seven-play span in the scrimmage, to go with one by Miller, before the starting defense was done.
“Elvis has got a great first step, really good leverage for a shorter guy. Even though he might be a little shorter in height, he’s got long arms and really has got great strength. He can go from speed to power quickly,” Fox said. “He’s a tremendous player, has a tremendous work ethic, and he’s going to be as good as he wants to be.
“There’s just an art to it. There are some innate abilities to get to the quarterback. And he’s got the innate ability.”
And in the Broncos’ massive defensive reconstruction, that’s a pretty good place to start.
Hello all out there Bronco fans! It has been WAY to long since I’ve been able to get on and say hello
Had a TON of things going on this Spring and Summer. Only had enough time to jump on catch some articles to stay on top of our beloved Broncos!
Thanks to the usuals for your commitment to the blog and I look forward to chatting with you all this year!
Best wishes to each of your own family and friends and look forward to a great, exciting and much improved Bronco Season!
Go Get Em’ Boys!
Just had a side note thought…
Just last night I was catching some episodes of the JETS hard knocks show on the NFL Network.
It crossed my mind what that show would have done to our Denver Broncos had the front office allowed it. I know Denver was approached to participate but denyed the request.
Can you imaging what they would have done to this new regime? The Orton vs. Tebow debate? How would John Elway been portrayed in this? etc.
I guess it takes a unique organization to be able and willing to put it out there!
Anyways, just glad we decided to act like a professional organization and keep things in house as much as possible.
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
This is Legwood answering questions by fans on two players on the cusps of being bust and Tebow.
Today’s questions about the Broncos come from Chris in North Carolina.
Q: Can you give me updates regarding Tim Tebow’s dropback time, Robert Ayers’ ability to rush the passer and Knowshon Moreno’s quickness and toughness? Have any of them stood out during training camp?
A: No player in the NFL was affected more on the field by the lockout than Tebow, who’s in his second season as a Denver quarterback.
Until training camp started, the lockout kept Tebow from working with the Broncos’ coaching staff. Throwing on his own, and doing conditioning work on his own, didn’t make him a better player.
His release point is still inconsistent when he stands in the pocket. His anticipation still needs work — and that affects his passing accuracy, even on short routes like the two he missed during Saturday’s scrimmage at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Opposing defensive coordinators can see that Tebow gets uncomfortable when his first read isn’t there. He tends to put the ball down and run if the first option isn’t available. When he does see the second read, he has to reset to throw because he has already pulled the ball down. By the time he can reset in the throwing position, the window for a completion is closed.
But those things take time with all quarterbacks. I have said since I saw Tebow at the Senior Bowl in January 2010 that he needs time to develop, to see where his game can go. He needs a lot of practice time.
Ayers is adjusting to moving back to the defensive line. He has worked hard on his footwork with defensive line coach Wayne Nunnely and on getting off the ball quickly.
Ayers played last season at outside linebacker, primarily in a two-point stance. The former first-round draft pick has looked good at times in this year’s camp as a defensive lineman, where he starred in college at Tennessee, and uncomfortable at other times.
Moreno had only three runs of at least 20 yards last season. So he came to camp this year hoping to show more quickness, and he has done that. But he still isn’t breaking a lot of tackles at the point of attack. His biggest play during Saturday’s scrimmage came on a screen pass, where he was in the open field.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
Do we all remember the RB we wanted in this years draft Mikel Leshoure. Well he`s out for the season with a torn achilles. Thats a big bummer.
I echo many fans when I say “I’m really excited to see what our defense is going to be like.” After not having a pass rush to speak of last season and now having Doom back along with Miller, and hopefully Ayers can contribute being back at his natural position as well, we’ll being getting nice and comfy with the opposing QB on the ground!
MikeB,
Thanks for the post my friend, great read!
Isn’t it hard to not let your mind and heart go straight to the top? LOL! Something seems different doesn’t it! Why can’t they? is the question that I keep asking myself! Why can’t they be an elite defense this year?
It appears that there is something very genuine about this team. I don’t know if it’s one thing in particular of just simply a collection of good moves by the organization and staff.
I know it is all meaningless unless are score is higher than theirs at the end of the game…but there does certainly seem to be a “buzz”…..and that is felt out here in Illinois.
Can’t wait!
GO GET EM’ BOYS!
Also with the addition of MLB Nate Irvin who`s going to blow up some RB`s and TE`s coming through the middle. It`s going to be fun to watch him develope into a stud MLB in the NFL.
I know its cliche’ but hopefully Fox can help put the “D” back in Denver!
Henryac, thanks for pointing out the penlty on launching upward AND forward. That makes me feel a little bit better on that stupid rule. There still taking more away from our game. Makes me angry to say the least.
Just a thought..when is Demaryius Thomas gonna play again..the kid has talent and I know he can make a difference but he can’t stay away from the injuries…remember last year we were shouting T-N-T for demaryius and tebow…..yea we can throw that out the window for now
If we canhave Miller and Doom do what they did at the scrimmage during the season we will be unstoppable on defense.
Last I heard they expected Thomas to miss at least the first 6 regular season games on the PUP list. Granted that’s in all his rehab and stuff is going well. It will still take some time for him to get into football shape and comfortable in the offense since he’s only taking mental reps. I still think the best chance of seeing him will be either late this season or we’ll just have to wait until next season….
Yea I agree brian..but hey eric decker isn’t a bad player..to be honest he’s also a better route runner then demaryius being that he ran plenty of routes in minnesota and demaryius only ran 3 at georgia tech
They say that Decker is one of the better route runners in that he makes clean cuts and is “smooth.” Hopefully he can become an intergrated part of the offense. He reminds me a lot of guys like Stokely and Welker.
First official depth chart will be released at 12pm Mountain time!
thx sndvl for the heads up! Also wanted to let you know I got a big kick out of your joke on previous blog! LOL!
Ricky Williams is now a backup for Ray Rice in Baltimore.