After two pretty significant years of rule changes, the NCAA seems to have put the brakes on in 2010.
Player safety has been the mantra the last few seasons as the rules committee went after violent acts such as chop blocks, horse-collar tackles, and defenseless receivers just to name a few.
Currently chaired by Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall, the committee offered up only three changes for 2010 — and really only one of significance.
Rule Change: During a kickoff it is illegal for the receiving team intentionally to form a wedge of three or more players to block for the ball carrier.
Penalty: Fifteen yards from the spot of the foul, or from the end of the run if this is behind the spot of the foul. There is no foul if the kick is from an obvious onside kick formation. Note that the foul is for the formation of the wedge, whether or not there is contact between opponents.
Our Take: As much as we applaud the changes to protect players, we hate to see the wedge go. Watching exciting players like Dennis Johnson and Felix Jones (from 2007 in the clip below) take advantage of the wedge all the way to the end zone will be much harder to accomplish now.
Rule Change: If eye black is worn it must be solid black with no words, numbers, logos or other symbols.
Our Take: Tebow’s gone, so we can put this rule in now. Nice job. But how will players express themselves now that this important communication tool has been disallowed?
Rule Change: Players must wear soft knee pads at least one-half inch thick. Beginning in 2010 there is no reference to the pants covering the knees. Socks must be of the same color and design. Beginning in 2010 there is no reference to length of the socks.
Our Take: Player fashion is of utmost importance apparently.
The real fun is going to begin next year — in 2011 — when unsportsmanlike conduct fouls (taunting, celebration, etc.) will be enforced from the spot of the foul. That opens up the real possibility that a touchdown may be called back if a player commits the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on his way to the goal line.
And we thought the NFL was the “No Fun League.”
Personally, I don't understand the desire to remove the wedge as this is something that can make the game more exciting. This rule change seems to move towards lower scoring, slower game, and more penalties. What's the point in moving the football back so that the runners get a better chance if you are going to start doing this???
This rule is stupid. How does this potentially protect anyone?
The wedge is used by O-linemen on almost every pass play.
What are they going to do next, throw a flag if the guard and center double-team a 330 lb. DT?
Granted, this only involves the blocking of 2 players at the same time, but the traveling distance is nose to nose, not 15 or 20 yards until contact.
Anyhow, more rules only make the game weaker. More rules for the refs to remember, only means there's more rules to forget or miss.
What they need to do is keep the game simple, rather than continue to expect the refs to become rocket scientist at full speed.
Wedge busters have been experiencing too many concussions. The game is supposed to be physical, not dangerous.
Tony Bua was a guy famous for going a bit too far. Great kid, great player, but his zeal cost us one of the great comebacks ever and our only potential win over Florida. You've got to play smart, under control.
The wedge rule is a good one. Even though I'll miss some of the big plays on kickoffs, it is a definite safety improvement.
Kickoffs and punt returns are some of the most dangerous plays in football. A ton of injuries happen becuase players are flying around at full speed after a 20-30 yard running start. 220-240 lbs hitting at full speed is almost like getting hit by a small car.
As a result of this, I bet we see more chop blocks and tripping though
"Kickoffs and punt returns are some of the most dangerous plays…"
This is true with or without a wedge!
Does the wedge not help protect the ball carrier? I may be wrong but it seems to me that the runner is now more vulnerable to injury by being slammed into by a 300lb lineman unabated if no one blocks him. I think someone pulled this rule out of their rearend.