Laddie Morse
This is not your daddy’s football game… that’s for darned sure. For a game that was founded in 1920, over 100 years ago, there have been countless changes to the game, so many, that a fan a century ago, might not recognize it today. The teams were from very different locales as well. There were the Akron Pros, the Buffalo All-Americans, the Canton Bulldogs, the Decatur Staleys out of Chicago, the Cleveland Tigers, the Columbus Panhandles, the Dayton Triangles (based on, and supported by, three companies) plus the Chicago Tigers. A player that I idolized growing up played in that league and his name was Jim Thorpe who won Olympic Gold in 1912 in the pentathlon and the decathlon, and also played for the Canton Bulldogs.
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“Though the NFL no longer has a club in Dayton,
NFL FLAG games are played to this day at Triangle Park.”
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The reason the Akron Professionals are featured on the front of this article is that they were the first winners of the APFA (America Professional Football Association) Championship APFA was the NFL’s original name. The NFL was also the first league to break the color barrier. That’s worthy of noting since it is Black History Month (The History Channel’s web site).
While many NFL fans will likely only be interested in the changes to the game that have taken place over the past decade, or so, the game has undergone significant changes over the life of the NFL. Back in the 1960s my father taught me how to do a “drop-kick” — at which I became quite proficient — and here’s a drop-kick by Doug Flutie for the New England Patriots at the end of the 2005 season (0:46):
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You just don’t see plays like this any more. The last time a drop kick was executed in the NFL was in 1941 prior to this kick by Doug Flutie. As the announcer said, the last time one of these was tried, were talking about “leather helmets.”
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Significant Changes
Back in the days of yore, players like Night Train Lane — Richard Lane — could close-line a Wide Receiver and completely get away with it. Those days are no more, and for good reason.
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I used to love to play defense, but then the rules changed and offense became stronger and much easier. The same was true for Rams Defensive Lineman Deacon Jones could take a QBs head off, and suffer no flags, and no punishment by the NFL. However, it was because of Deacon Jones that the league began to keep track of “sacks” by players… we just don’t know how many he had.
Even in the 1970s and 80s, players like the Steelers Jack Lambert or the 49ers Ronnie Lott, handed out hits that would be flagged today (0:47) and (0:50).
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While the great hits were one of the reasons that kept me watching NFL football, I completely support and understand the reasoning for the rules changes.
Pryor to the time Andy Reid took over as the Philadelphia Eagles Head coach in 1999, they had Ray Rhodes as the HC. Rhodes carried two (2) tight ends on his roster. Along comes Andy Reid and he carries three (3) tight ends on his roster. Why is that important? Becasue Reid likes to run offensive plays that has three tight ends on the field at the same time. This not only allows him to run the ball with bigger bodies able to block for his runners, but it allows him to go “Trips Right” or “Trips Left” meaning… he can force the defense to play certain kinds of coverage because the has three tight ends lined up to the left or right side of the field. Anytime you can dictate the coverages the defense will be running, you have an advantage. That’s Andy Reid all the way!
Is this a “change in the game? I’m not sure, but I am sure that Andy Reid has made excellent use of three tight ends on his roster ever since. In fact, one of the first players Reid drafted was Travis Kelce in 2013 (the 63rd pick). Although Kelce was out his entire rookie year, Reid also signed free agent TE Anthony Fasano for Reid’s first year with K.C..
When the league changed rules to help the offense more, Reid was there with his impact players and plays through the passing game. In an article called, “The new Chiefs wrinkle that’s turned offense around after mediocre regular season” Chris Trapasso writes:
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“Through two games in the playoffs, the Chiefs have
utilized 13 personnel — one running back and three tight
ends — on a whopping 23.7% of their offensive snaps.
Those 29 plays in that personnel grouping is 25 more
than any other team. Striking disparity.”
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It looks like Andy Reid is at it again with the utilization of his three tight end sets. It makes it extra challenging for the defense when it is facing three wideouts on one play and then three TEs on the next play. They have to be extra cautious when sending in player who can actually cover those groupings. The reality is… they can’t. That’s another reason I’m picking K.C. in this Super Bowl.
Now, pair that with a QB such as Patrick Mahomes, who can read a defense with the best of them, and you have a wonderful ability on both offense and defense as well. Five years ago, in 2018, a New Helmet Rule was enacted and was of course, controversial (2:02).
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Here’s a look at the rules changes for the past 2023 season: 2023 approved playing rules
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“• Rule change: Players can use zero (“0”) as a jersey number; kickers and punters can use any jersey number between 0-49 and 90-99.
• Rule change: Referees will adjust play clock following an instant replay reversal the same way they do following other stoppages. Before, players would have to signal back to the officials to request more time on the play clock in such situations.
• Rule change: The replay official can automatically review a close play on a failed fourth-down attempt. This will save team’s a challenge if it’s a close call on fourth down. The rule change may speed up the game since the replay official can review the play immediately.
• Rule change: A launch, which is a personal foul (15-yard penalty), is now if a player leaves one or both feet to make a tackle.
• Rule change: If a player is called for tripping, the penalty will result in 15 yards and an automatic first down.
• Rule change: This will penalize teams handing off the football forward on a read-option, for example, or any other running play a penalty. Handoffs will have to be made next to or behind the quarterback, not in front of.
• Rule change: This will make those acts listed above count for a loss of a down at the spot of the foul, just like an illegal forward pass.
• Rule change: If the offense commits a holding penalty, that will no longer lead to an untimed, additional down.
• Rule change: Removes the words the “butt, ram, and spear” from Article 8 and adds those actions into the penalty for “Impermissible Use of the Helmet.””
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For those still wondering if Andy Reid can surpass Bill Belichick in All-time victories, it looks like it would take three or four more years of winning for him to accomplish that feat… if… Belichick doesn’t get a job this year. Here’s the top five all-time leaders as of now:
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The game we’ve come to love and adore, and are willing to invest every Autumn Sunday afternoon in, has changed tremendously… even over the last few years. Is it safer? I’ll let you be the judge of that. Is it a better game? Also is up to you.
What do you think?
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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