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Approved NFL rules changes for 2016

The NFL approved 9 rules changes this week at the annual meeting

At this week's league meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, NFL owners voted on 19 proposed rules changes presented by the Competition Committee.

Last week, the Committee reviewed input from key stakeholders and combed through hours of video, all to finalize its 2016 recommended rules changes and ways of protecting players from unnecessary risks.

The Committee presented the proposed changes to the league's 32 owners for debate and ultimately a vote. All proposals must be approved by 75 percent (24) of the owners to be adopted.

Here's what passed:

  1. By Competition Committee; Permanently moves the line of scrimmage for Try kicks to the defensive team's 15-yard line, and allows the defense to return any missed Try.
  1. By Competition Committee; Permits the offensive and defensive play callers on the coaching staffs to use the coach-to-player communication system regardless of whether they are on the field or in the coaches' booth.
  1. By Competition Committee; Makes all chop blocks illegal.
  1. By Competition Committee; Disqualifies a player who is penalized twice in one game for certain types of unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. Amended to one-year only.
  1. By Competition Committee; Changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line. Amended to one-year only.
  1. By Competition Committee; Expands the horse collar rule to include when a defender grabs the jersey at the nameplate or above and pulls a runner toward the ground.
  1. By Competition Committee; Makes it a foul for delay of game when a team attempts to call a timeout when it is not permitted to do so.
  1. By Competition Committee; Eliminates the five-yard penalty for an eligible receiver illegally touching a forward pass after being out of bounds and re-establishing himself inbounds, and makes it a loss of down.
  1. By Competition Committee; Eliminates multiple spots of enforcement for a double foul after a change of possession.

The top 150 New Orleans Saints game photos of 2015. Photos by Michael C. Hebert. (New Orleans Saints photos)

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