Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 2019 Niner Noise roundtable, NFL playoffs edition

By Jeremy Wohlfart

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tight end George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates his touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Referee Gene Steratore #114 makes a call during the second quarter of Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Referee Gene Steratore #114 makes a call during the second quarter of Super Bowl LII between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

No. 6: What rule changes for the NFL you would like to see?

Peter Panacy

Each year, it seems as if there’s an emphasis on one thing or another. Instead, some de-emphasizing would be nice. I know player safety is vital. But the rules calling out hits have gotten a bit over the top. Late hits are one thing. But the idea of “landing on a quarterback” and putting body weight on him even though it was a form tackle is pretty ridiculous.

Tim Miller

Elimination of kickoff rules that basically eliminated the onside kick.

Chris Wilson

I could go on all day — how many answers do I get? The NFL went overboard on their “defenseless receiver” rules, which need to be addressed. The league should have two levels of pass interference, similar to penalties for making contact with a punter or kicker. Finally, the play review system needs an overhaul. For example, if officials are instructed to err on the side of calling a fumble on the field, then they need to even out the burden-of-proof standard during the pending review — and why are coaches limited to a specific number of successful challenges?

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Aaron Tan

Go back to 15-minute overtime periods.

Matt Stephenson

The catch rule. While it is easy enough to get your head around what is classified as a catch, there is great inconsistencies from game to game depending on which officials are calling it. As simplified version of what constitutes a catch might help to fix the issue.

Akshaj Dwivedula

Relax the rules on hits over the middle. Using the head is still bad, but players should be allowed to deliver hits when a player is running by them (see the Week 17 Antone Exum play as example).

Jeremy Wohlfart

I read somewhere (I can’t remember precisely where, so I can’t credit it) that a good rule would be if the kicker can kick the ball through the uprights on kickoff, the ball would be spotted on the 15-yard line and not the 25-yard line. I think it would bring a tiny bit of intrigue into what is now a boring part of the game, now kick returns are effectively discouraged by the NFL.