Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz leaves the field after a game against Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Red-flag rule will be revised. (Jim Schwartz rule)

A play that would have been automatically reviewed by instant replay will still be reviewed even if a coach throws his challenge flag. Any coach who challenges a play that he’s not permitted to challenge would be charged a timeout, and wouldn’t get his timeout back even if he wins the challenge, or would lose 15 yards if his team is out of timeouts. But the play itself will still be reviewed. Call this the Jim Schwartz Rule. The league will also consider reviewing incomplete passes that are ruled a fumble all the way through the fumble — if a play is ruled on the field to be incomplete and overturned on replay as a fumble, the replay can consider everything that happens after that fumble.

Instant replay: Ruling of incomplete pass would be reviewable through fumble.

Long-snapper on extra point and field goal would be a “defensless player” in an effort to avoid more potential injuries along the line.

On field goals and extra points, restrictions are added to what rush teams can do. No more than six defensive players would be permitted to align on either side of the snapper, defensive players can’t push their teammates across the line, and the long snapper is considered a defenseless player.

Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Patriots 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

“Tuck Rule” would be eliminated. Arm moving forward + loss of possession = incomplete pass. Ball being brought back to the body + loss of possession = fumble.

No forcible blows with helmet outside of the tackle box.

Initiating contact with the crown of the helmet is a foul if the runner or tackler delivers a forceable blow against his opponent when both players are outside the tackle box.

Tight ends can wear the number 40-49.

You only have to retain a player claimed via waivers for one day. (old rule was two)

Final cut-down date may be adjusted to accomodate potential Wednesday season-opener.

Thigh and knee pads would be mandatory.

Jan 6, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) scrambles during the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

League office will be more aggressive and proactive regarding field maintenance. (FedEx Field rule)

Fields must be maintained up to NFL standards, and the league can require clubs to maintain their fields up to the league’s high standards, at the club’s expense.

The final of these rules and bylaws is a result of Robert Griffin III shredding his knee on national television during the Redskins Wild Card matchup versus Seattle. These proposed regulations and rules will be voted on next week for confirmation.

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Playoffs!?!?

Barring some miraculous turnaround that would include several Giants losses and an improbable seven-game win streak, the Redskins will miss the playoffs this year. At 3-6 the team is tied for last place with a nightmare of a team in Philadelphia, whom they lost to earlier this year 20-13.

After a decidedly better game versus Miami on Sunday in another losing effort, the Redskins focus is now on the Cowboys. If Washington doesn’t win another game (and some in the “Draft Position” camp would be okay with that) they must win this game. They had Dallas on the ropes inside the spaceship in Texas and lost in a game that consisted primarily of field goals.

The opening line for this weeks game is probably going to be Dallas as a favorite, anywhere between seven to ten points- possibly more. The Redskins need a victory not to establish “hope for the season” or to move into prime position to make a run or any of those things most fans dream of at 3-6. The Redskins need this game so they don’t lose their fans for the season. If the Redskins drop this game at FedEx, in front of 83,000 41,500 Redskins fans, the whole thing may collapse on top of Danny, Bruce and Mike.  (more…)