Rule change: spiked ball?

I think the league is going too far with limiting celebrations. Yes celebrating a routine first down is retarded but they should really lighten up on the touchdown stuff.

I heard something on the radio about a 5 yard penalty for spiking the ball. It was that along with throwing it in the air, both applied when not a touchdown. I have two questions about this. 1) Did I hear correctly? 2) Is this only for when a play is dead? Or will spiking the ball to stop the clock late in the game result in a 5 yard penalty.

This rule passed 25 to 6. I saw it on NFL Network. They had a camera inside the room and Gibbs was VERY MUCH against this rule. Gibbs was talking about how they are taking the fun and emotion out of the game.
But yes Santana is no longer going to be able to spin the ball after a big catch. Personally I like the rule.

This all stems from the owners wanting to protect the image of their product and thus, their revenue stream. The NFL is king of the land right now when it comes to pro-sports in the US and it knows that it had better keep on it's toes or else risk losing its vaunted position to the likes of NASCAR.

Look what happened to the NBA after Jordan left, ratings tanked, play quality tanked and worst of all, the league got a reputation as a haven for me-first thuggish behavior. The core fans stayed, but the casual fans ran away and ratings completely fell through the floor.

Whether we like to admit it or not, there are a lot of casual fans and viewers who will tune out the league if the perception of the product goes the way of the 90's NBA. The owners know this are are doing everything they can to prevent it via reduced celebrations, and the new enhanced personal conduct policy Godell is about to drop.

Personally, I think it is a bit over the top, but then again, I also think it is utterly ridiculous when any player makes ANY celebritory gesture unless they have scored. You see guys like Washington jumping out of his skull excited after dropping a RB for a 1 or 2 yard GAIN on 1st down for pete sake! Why is that worth celebrating...that is your job. I don't jump up and down when I write a good e-mail to my client...it's ridiculous.

Just my $0.02.

I think you should be penalized if you don't celebrate.

And if your celebration is awesome, you get an extra point.

Seriously though, are these rules not starting to get a bit ridiculous. I loved the famous redskins high five, I loved the little dances, all that crap.

F... rich people that make all the rules.

I agree, it's stupid to have all of these rules. They are taking the fun out of football!!!!

I agree with the majority of the people here, this is crap. I'm in the Marines, but if I had one chance to catch a pass thrown from any QB, in any game, for any team, I would probably eat the football. However, they are supposed to be "pro's", and control the excitement. I don't think that a spike after an awesome play would be hurt anything. But, if it's a two yard run up the middle for a 1st down I could see a 5 yd pen. Some of the plays that these guys are making deserve a little celebration.
**Another note** Think of how we react when watching the game, and the skins get a first down they was badly needed. I've broken two coffee tables because of the skins, and 1 window from celebrating. I wish there was a way to have our celebrations recorded and played on ESPN's top ten celebrations. That would be worth watching.

I'm down with this rule. Man, it pisses me off when a RB celebrates a 5 yard run or a DB who just missed an interception by spiking the ball. In essence what they are doing is delaying the game. The only time you should be spiking the ball is when you score a touchdown.

I agree with the majority of the people here, this is crap. I'm in the Marines, but if I had one chance to catch a pass thrown from any QB, in any game, for any team, I would probably eat the football. However, they are supposed to be "pro's", and control the excitement. I don't think that a spike after an awesome play would be hurt anything. But, if it's a two yard run up the middle for a 1st down I could see a 5 yd pen. Some of the plays that these guys are making deserve a little celebration.
**Another note** Think of how we react when watching the game, and the skins get a first down they was badly needed. I've broken two coffee tables because of the skins, and 1 window from celebrating. I wish there was a way to have our celebrations recorded and played on ESPN's top ten celebrations. That would be worth watching.
I just cackled when reading that.

I mean, I don't think a penalty for someone celebrating makes sense... If someone celebrates for converting a first down they just look stupid... I think that's punishment enough.

If it pisses the defense off, then they'll lay him out next play.

Granted, theres such thing as excessive celebration... but I think we should be fairly liberal when drawing the line.

Are we going to stop Santana's little hand pump thing on the first down? That's so subtle, yet so awesome.

im kind of on the fence with this. if the defense doesn't like all the carrying on, then stop it personally. but, to spike the ball after a three yard gain, come on. this is part of what you are getting paid to do.

They are out of control with the regulations. Let's just go out there play football and have fun.

WTF is this garbage? No more Moss ball-spin?!?!?! Awww MANNNN!!!! This is some BULLSHIT! I loved that! Maybe he'll have a TO like rebellion against the rule and do that shit anyway. I would ALMOST care but nah....its too cool to watch. Let em celebrate jesus...its fuggin football for christ's sake.