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STEPHEN CUPRZYNSKI FROM COCKEYSVILLE, MD: I've always heard that the league changed the rules because of Mel Blount's technique. If so what was the change and how has it affected the game?

ANSWER: In 1978, the NFL adopted 2 rules designed to make offense, especially the passing game, more explosive. One was allowing offensive linemen to extend their arms and use open hands to block a pass rusher, and the other was to prohibit contact with an eligible receiver beyond 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, The second of those came to be known as the Mel Blount rule, because he had the size, strength, quickness, and speed to take what was known as bump-and-run coverage to a new level

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