The NFL's New Makeover

There's been a lot of talk lately about these new NFL rules and bans that have been decided and lay on the fringe of whether or not to pass it. I think have heard just about everything now from that they will make the NFL a much more efficient league to that these new changes will somehow kill the league. Seriously, I heard a guy on the radio just today say that all these changes to the game will "kill" the NFL. So just what are some of these changes that will more likely help than "threaten" the league? Well, lets just take us a look.

- Raising the goal post uprights from 30 to 35 feet
One of the changes that makes sense to me was proposed by the New England Patriots and says that the goal post uprights should be extended from 30 feet to 35 feet. To me, it does seem to be a smart move mostly based on those moments when a kicker sends his extra point of field goal just over the middle of one of the posts. Then the refs need to take like somewhere between 5 to 10 minutes to make ruling on whether or not it counts. The change to taller goal posts will now make it clear was to whether or not a kicker makes his extra point/field goal or not. I see this rule to be beneficial to the game.

- The "NaVorro Bowman Rule"
This is another rule that does make sense to me. The rule says that all plays in which a loose ball is recovered can be subjected to replay review. The rule came to light when San Francisco 49ers' linebacker NaVorro Bowman had clearly recovered a fumble from Seattle Seahawks' wide receiver Jermaine Kearse in the NFC Championship game last year, the play could not go under review. The rule will definitely help with deciding whether or not a fumble has been recovered, which has been a problem in the past in other games besides the NFC Championship game last year. I see it as a very beneficial ruling.

- Goal post dunks are no longer allowed
This is a rule that puts me on the fence as it takes away one of the more exciting celebrations I think. The rule is just as it says: dunking on the goal post is now a penalty and fineable offense in the NFL. The celebration has been done in the past, but was brought to popularity when former NFL tight end Tony Gonzalez used to leap to incredible heights and clear the ball over the post. It was always spectacular to see it from Tony, and then again by guys like Detroit Lions' wide receiver Calvin Johnson and New Orleans Saints' tight end Jimmy Graham. IT is an electrifying celebration that shows off a player's athleticism and helps stir up the crowd some as like a side show in a sense. But, the NFL have made it clear that dunks on the goal posts are now banned. some of their reasons is that it has no place in the game and is showboating. The NFL may also be trying to stop people from possibly hurting themselves. There have been times when players in the NFL, college, and even high school have tried it, only to hit the goal post and fall to the ground right on the backs or heads which can cause serious injury. There's no doubt that this rule has more upside than down, but I still feel it somewhat takes away one of the things that people love about this game. 

- Moving the extra point from the 2-yard line to the 25-yard line
This rule has yet to pass, but my feeling on this rule is quoted best as, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". This rule was also proposed by the Patriots and states just as it says: move where extra points are snapped from by going from the 2 to the 25-yard line, essentially making extra points as a 37 yard field goal. Now to me, I just do not see the point of changing something that has been in football since the days of the 1920s and 30s. It seems that the NFL may want to create more exciting games by making the extra points longer or just look at kickers in the NFL and see that most have the ability to hit that distance with ease. I mean, if you kick in the NFL and cannot hit a field goal from 30 yards and accurate, then you should maybe consider another career. It seems ridiculous to change the distance, especially when they once even talked about the elimination of the extra point completely from the games. Though the NFL has not made a ruling yet on whether or not the etra point will move, they have stated that they will "test drive" the rule in the first two preseason in 2014. So I guess we all just got to wait and see what happens.

- Extending the playoffs in 2014

This ruling has not ok'd yet, but NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that the idea of extending the NFL's playoffs' system is still a possibility. Extending the playoffs schedule is a  hard one to make a call on, but it seems like it would make things a little more interesting for the football season. The thing that I keep thinking is that the rule's biggest supporter has to be the Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones. After all, his Cowboys have continued to be on the fringe of the playoffs year in and year out, so it makes sense as to why Jones would be behind it. But, the NFL's Players' Association has continued to back its stance against the extension because of the possible extended season that could come to follow causing the players to be concerned of work period and time that would be used. If that does become the case that they continue to stand by, them they should take a second look at themselves. TO be able to play in the NFL is one of the greatest honors you could ask for. Only seems right that if these players "love" the game so much, as many of them have stated time and time again, then the extended season and playoffs would be the best blessing to their careers. Besides, it's not like they would play those extra games for free.

After seeing some of these rules that have passed, one that is up for debate, and rest of the rules, I don't see how this league could be destroyed. Sure, it may be more annoying and longer because of all the new replay and such, but some of these rules could really prove to be beneficial to the NFL in trying to grow and make the game more understanding for the fans. But, only time will tell if they will stand up to the challenge on the field and in the season. All I know is that I cannot wait for the 2014 NFL season to commence already.