NFL Rule Changes Passed By Owners

Tweeted about this last night, but I think a post here is in order as well. The NFL owners passed three (3) proposed rule changes yesterday, and these new rules have the potential to have an impact on what we see from your Houston Texans in the coming seasons. Details after the jump.

SBN has a nice summary of what the owners passed. Here's a summary of the summary:

1. The trade deadline will be moved from after Week Six to after Week Eight. Pulling an example out of the clear blue sky...if a team happens to lose the first two QBs on its depth chart before the end of Week Eight, it would have the opportunity to complete a trade for a replacement starer at QB instead of having to turn to a rookie third-stringer. Had this rule been in place last season, your 2011 Houston Texans would never have contemplated such a move because, at least as MDC has repeatedly declared, T.J. Yates is a homeless man's Aaron Rodgers.

2. For one player on each team, being placed on injured reserve does not mean the player is out for the year. Now, one designated player can be placed on the IR, begin practicing after Week Six, and be eligible to return to action after Week Eight. I have a hard time seeing a downside to that change.

3. Finally, the owners also voted to mandate the use of leg and thigh pads beginning in 2013. Even with all the concerns about player safety, I'm not sure that the players will agree to that change. They may argue that speed, comfort, and free will trump safety. Waivers for everyone!

Your reaction to the proposed rule changes?