By Bill Bradley, contributing editor
Editor's note: This is the third of five capsules explaining the NFL's new player-safety rules that were passed at last week's Annual Meeting.
WEDNESDAY: The peel-back block.
Who: All offensive players.
What: Blockers cannot initiate contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if the blocker is moving toward his own end line; and he approaches the opponent from behind or from the side
When: On all offensive plays and plays in which the defensive team has gained possession.
Where: All parts of the field. If the near shoulder of the blocker contacts the front of his opponent’s body, the peel-back block is legal.
How will be it be enforced: A 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness?
Reaction: “Previously, peel back blocks were only illegal for players who lined up in the tackle box. Now, for player safety reasons, they are illegal for all offensive players.” – DawgsByNature.com.