Matthew J. LeeGetty ImagesThe penalty on Chris Jones brings up the question: Are NFL rules too complex?Knowing the rules seems the most essential requirement for NFL players Authe... Nate Palmer Jersey , coaches, executives and, yes, officials. So why has 2013 brought so much confusion about the league's official rulebook -- what it says, what it means and how it should be applied?

OBSCURE NFL RULES
The 121-page NFL rulebook accounts for every conceivable occurrence in a football game -- and then some. A few of its most obscure concoctions:

Rule 5, Section 4, Article 3

Players are permitted to wear as many layers of stockings and tape on the lower leg as they prefer, provided the exterior is a one-piece stocking that includes solid white from the top of the shoe to the mid-point of the lower leg, and approved team color or colors (non-white) from that point to the top of the stocking. Uniform stockings may not be altered (e.g. Au... Morgan Burnett Jersey , over-stretched, cut at the toes, or sewn short) in order to bring the line between solid white and team colors lower or higher than the mid-point of the lower leg.

Rule 8, Section 3, Article 1, Item 4

Delayed Spike. A passer, after delaying his passing action for strategic purposes, is prohibited from throwing the ball to the ground in front of him, even though he is under no pressure from defensive rusher(s).

Rule 5 Authe... Mike Pennel Jersey , Section 2, Article 10(d)

If the play clock expires before the defense has completed its substitution, it is delay of game by the offense.

Rule 10, Section 2, Article 4

After a fair catch is made, or is awarded as the result of fair-catch interference, the receiving team has the option of putting the ball in play by either: (a) a fair-catch kick (drop kick or placekick without a tee) from the spot of the catch (or the succeeding spot after enforcement of any applicable penalties) ... or (b) a snap from the spot of the catch (or the succeeding spot after enforcement of any applicable penalties).

Rule 9, Section 2, Article 2

"First touching" is when a player of the kicking team touches a scrimmage kick that is beyond the line of scrimmage before it has been touched by a player of the receiving team beyond the line. If the ball is first touched by a player of the kicking team Authent... Mike Neal Jersey , it remains in play. First touching is a violation, and the receivers shall have the option of taking possession of the ball at the spot of first touching, provided no penalty is accepted on the play, or at the spot where the ball is dead. First touching does not offset a foul by the receivers. There may be multiple "first touch" spots, if more than one player of the kicking team touches the ball before it is touched by a player of the receiving team.

SportsNation: NFL rule book quiz

Even veteran officials have gotten confused and misapplied rules this season. Can you do better? Take the quiz!

In examining the issue this week, ESPN's NFL Nation learned that the league will analyze and possibly streamline a set of rules that has grown unwieldy with exceptions, specific scenarios and archaic applications. Indeed, even some of the league's most experienced officials have tripped this season in applying rules.

The issue should come as no surprise, according to former NFL referee Gerry Austin Auth... Mike Daniels Jersey , now an ESPN analyst. A decade's worth of adding nuances to prevent specific instances, not to mention the expansion of instant replay, have taken its toll.

"Over the last 10 or 12 years there have been some changes in rules and interpretations," Austin said. "Up until that point, there were some truly basic guidelines that an official on the field could follow and apply in application of the rules. Now, one overriding factor is that every rule has numerous exceptions. Those all came about when an instance would occur and decision would be made to incorporate it into the rulebook. Now the NFL rulebook has such a large number of exceptions and that adds to the complexity of things. We always had a hard-core basic set of application guidelines and process, and I think that maybe over the past 12 years those got messed with some."

According to Austin, there is hope that NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino will conduct "an in-depth analysis and see where they can bring some of those changes back to the center, so you can get back to a core application of the rules instead of saying Authen... Micah Hyde Jersey , 'This rule applies except …"

In a statement, NFL spokesman Michael Signora said the league is "constantly studying ways we can improve all facets of our game, including officiating. … That includes a rigorous review of the rules, which we analyze each season to identify areas for improvement. The goal of our officiating department is the consistent application of the rules across the board. If there are aspects of the rules we can simplify to aid in that effort, we will work with the Competition Committee to recommend those changes."

The complexities have at least contributed to a series of incorrect decisions, several of which occurred last weekend. Among the examples:


Referee Bill Leavy misapplied a dead-ball foul in Week 1, resulting in the San Francisco 49ers playing the wrong down. In Week 3, Leavy administered the wrong enforcement of a penalty against Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier for challenging an automatically reviewed play.


A Week 7 discussion between Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz and a member of referee Scott Green's crew ended with the agreement that an apparent forward pass after a blocked kick was not reviewable. In a statement released after the game, the NFL confirmed it was.


In Sunday night's game at Lucas Oil Stadium Authen... Matt Flynn Jersey , referee Carl Cheffers lost track of an exception to the rule that gives a defense time to

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