New Rules....

[linejudge]

I think their are two sides involving the new facemask rule.
One is that new officials may have a harder time discriminating between 5 and 15. I have not read the new ruling completely, so I hope that there will be a provision allowing "when in doubt." Second, by having the 15 yard penalty, the National Federation sent a strong message against getting the hands anywhere near the facemask or other helmet opening, which was a nice side effect in dealing with safety.

Having said that, I am in favor of the new rule. There have been times in the past, when I have flagged a player 15 yards for a hand placed on the facemask and completely changed the situation of the game as far as down and distance. Furthermore, this rule allows players to compete to their fullest.

As far as the towel rules goes, wouldn't be nice if the rule read, "if the official deems that the player is attempting to show-off, attract attention, dress differently or in any other way make a spectacle of themselves, the player should be promptly clubbed and skinned and replaced with a player who only wants to play because he loves the game...hehehe (of course I am kidding).

Erick Watson
Medford, OR