'Terrible Idea': Texans Ex J.J. Watt Displeased By New NFL Rule
During the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix this week, several new rule changes were proposed that could have major effects on the game.
And both Former Houston Texans star J.J. Watt, as well as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes are not fans of one in particular - the NFL's new Thursday Night Football rule change, which allows teams to play on Thursday twice per season.
"Flexing games from Sunday to Thursday is a terrible idea for two main reasons," Watt said on Twitter. "1) Player Safety You can’t make this decision and also preach that player safety is a priority. 2) Fans. People spending hard-earned money to see their team play. Who’s paying to change their plans?"
The reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs, led by Mahomes, are the favorites to win the Super Bowl again and will likely be featured in many prime-time games.
And on Tuesday, Mahomes made his feelings on the matter known as well, by way of a facepalm emoji.
Teams were previously limited to one appearance on Thursday Night Football, and It has been a hot topic due to the abbreviated recovery time for players between games - something that Watt and Mahomes, are both obviously very opposed to.
Meanwhile, there were also other rule changes, one that came specifically for the protection of players themselves.
Guardian Caps, which were worn during NFL training camps last season, will now be required for every preseason practice, regular season and postseason practice with contact.
Lineman, linebackers, running backs and fullbacks are the players required to wear the caps.
The rule is changed from last season when players were only required to wear the caps until the second preseason game.
The research is clear, showing that the impact of helmet-to-helmet hits is reduced by around 20 percent when two players are wearing the cap.
Proposed by the competition committee, the NFL has clarified the use of the helmet against an opponent by removing the “butt, ram, spear” language.
New language expands the rule against using the helmet as a weapon, making it a penalty if a player uses "any part of his helmet or facemask to butt or make forcible contact to an opponent's head or neck area."
A 15-yard penalty will continue to be called if a player lowers his head and makes forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.
The league expects most of the penalties will be called on players in space. The rule also includes an exception for "incidental contact by the mask or the helmet in the course of a conventional tackle or block on an opponent."
There were also two other notable rule changes.
The definition of a launch is now leaving one or both feet, and the penalty for tripping is increased to 15 yards from 10 yards and is a personal foul.
Another is more of a cosmetic change.
The number “0” is now eligible to be used on jerseys, a change proposed by the Philadelphia Eagles.
And while you won’t see it on linemen on either side of the ball but all other players can adorn the number, with are excited about the change.
Jacksonville Jaguars star wideout Calvin Ridley has already announced he will be sporting the new number.
Now, the Houston Texans equipment room could be fielding many calls from players trying to put in a claim for the new number.
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