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NFL rule changes include the elimination of chop blocks, longer extra points

Denver's Brandon McManus kicks an extra point during Super Bowl 50.

Denver’s Brandon McManus kicks an extra point during Super Bowl 50.

(Tony Avelar / EPA)
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Chop blocks are history, longer extra-point kicks are permanent, and the definition of a horse-collar tackle has been expanded.

Those were among the changes to NFL rules adopted by teams Tuesday on the second full day of the league’s three-day annual meetings.

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There will be more discussion and voting by team owners Wednesday, including on a proposed rule to eject players after two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same game. But so far, here are the changes that will take effect for the 2016 season:

--The line of scrimmage on PAT kicks is permanently moved to the 15-yard line, as was the case in a one-year trial last season. That turns a gimme into a watchable play;

--Offensive and defensive coaching staffs can now use the coach-to-player communication system whether they’re in the booth or on the sideline. The prior rule banned coaches in the booth from tapping into the in-helmet radios of players;

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--All chop blocks are now illegal, meaning offensive players cannot throw a block at thigh level or lower on a defensive player who already is being blocked by another player;

--The definition of a horse collar tackle has been expanded to include when a defender grabs the jersey at the name plate or above and pulls a runner to the ground;

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--It is a foul or delay of game when a team attempts to call a timeout when it is not allowed to do so;

--The punishment for an eligible receiver illegally touching a forward pass after being out of bounds and reestablishing himself inbounds has been changed to a five-yard penalty to a loss of down.

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