NFL Makes Rule Change Because of the Patriots
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Doug Pensinger/Getty Images(PHOENIX) — The New England Patriots gained a crucial first down against the Baltimore Ravens in their playoff game in January when running back Shane Vereen lined up as an ineligible slot receiver to confuse the Ravens. If they try that again next season, they will be penalized five yards.
On Wednesday, the NFL passed a rule making it illegal for an offensive player wearing an eligible number between 1-49 and 80-89 to lineup outside of the tackle box and report as ineligible. If that were to happen next season, the violating team would be penalized for illegal substitution.
“Whatever it is, it is,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. “It would affect a lot of other plays, the spread punt formation and stuff like that. Whatever the rule is, it is.”
According to competition committee co-chair Jeff Fisher, many teams felt there needed to be a rule in place to stop the kind of substitution the Patriots used in the playoffs. Fisher himself said without change, “this may get out of hand.”
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