2010 NFL Rule Changes - Umpire Gets Moved

by JasonB on Aug 9, 2010 1:55 PM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

Last week, senior NFL referee Walt Coleman visited Eagles training camp to discuss the rule changes for the 2010 NFL season. He was on hand to show the players a video which would detail the changes, but also showed the video to the media and answered questions. This week, we'll go over the changes. Some are subtle, some are more notable.

We start with what I think is probably the biggest change. The umpire will be moved from behind the defensive line to 15 yards behind the offensive line. The umpire has manned the position behind the defensive line since football was invented. The reason for the change was that the NFL saw an increase in the amount of times umpires were getting hit. Plus, we've also seen receivers use the umpire as a sort of screen to lose the defender. That won't be possible anymore. Inside of two minutes however, the umpire will move to his old position behind the defensive line so he will be able to spot the ball quicker.

What might this mean for the game itself? The officials in attendance claimed it wouldn't change much. The position behind in the offensive backfield gives the umpire a better view of the offensive line, so they admitted that it's possible that we could see a rise in offensive holding calls. Below Coleman and the other referees discuss the change.

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my only issue with the umpire thing is that i think he should stay at the same place the entire game

So now they’re saying that a receiver could use the official as a screen when the game is actually on the line and after the secondary being used to it not being an option.

I’m not really a fan of this move actually

Brent Celek>Keith Brooking

by 700 Level on Aug 9, 2010 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

The game is “on the line” in the first two minutes just as much as the last two minutes. And I think players will be able to survive the change near the end of the half/game. Spotting the ball more quickly is a very valid reason within two minutes, so I fully support that part of the rule.

This sounds like a good idea, but we’ll have to see how it works once they start playing games. There certainly could be problems with the umpire having difficulty seeing what is happening behind the d-line.

by Rujasu on Aug 9, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions