BBH Original: Upon Further Review- By BayAreaGiants

[MightyGiants]

Last week I addressed the first half of the rules and wording changes for the 2016 NFL season. The following addresses the second half of such changes:

1. In the past, the amount of time that could run off the clock during a field goal attempt often depended on the quickness of the game timer and his understanding of exactly when the play ends. As such there were instances where upwards of 7-8 or more seconds would be taken off the clock in such situations. To address this situation and ensure consistency throughout the league on such plays, the wording in the Rule Book has been revised to include the following: "For a successful field goal, or for an unsuccessful attempt that does not land in the field of play, the maximum amount of time that can run off the game clock is five seconds."

2. A rule change that was discussed extensively when it was first announced is the relocation of the starting point for the offensive team following a touchback on a free kick. The rule change was made to ostensibly reduce the number of kickoffs run back and thus increase player safety. Although there is much speculation regarding whether the change will actually work as intended (although it has done so in the NCAA), the rules were changed as follows: "After a touchback, the team that has been awarded a touchback next snaps the ball at its 20-yard line from any point on or between the inbound lines, unless the touchback results from a free kick, in which case the ball shall be placed at the team