A lineman and a fullback are unhappy with the chop block rule change

This could be a good move for player safety but it could also have an adverse effect on the run game.

On Tuesday, the NFL made seven rule changes for the 2016 season. One of those was the elimination of the chop block.

A chop block, as we wrote in late February when the rule change was first floated, is when one blocker is engaged with a defender up high while another blocker hits the defender below the waist. Some of these have already been outlawed. Prior to the change, it was only legal on running plays when:

• The blockers were aligned next to each other on the line of scrimmage,
• The blockers were lined up anywhere on the line and the flow of the play is towards the block, or
• The cut blocker was aligned in the backfield and the chop block took place outside the original tight end position

Now, it is no longer legal at all. Predictably, there are some defensive players that are thrilled with this, like Cardinals defensive back Patrick Peterson:

FINALLY! No Chop blocks! @NFL got this 1 right! Now see about getting to the bottom of that mysterious catch rule! lol

— Patrick Peterson /P2 (@RealPeterson21) March 22, 2016

And there are some offensive players not exactly happy about it, like former Giants offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz:

The best way to get a DT to not hold us on double teams, is a chop block. Now there's nothing to stop them. Fun times.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 22, 2016

There are dirty chop blocks. Those have been illegal. But legal ones are vital to the run game. And very rarely does it injure someone.

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 22, 2016

DL holding "can" be called but it's not. The umpire moved from behind the DL to behind us. So they can't see it https://t.co/nJmS8QX6wl

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 22, 2016

Also not happy, former Broncos and Chargers fullback Jacob Hester:

Legal chop blocks are HUGE to the run game. The NFL has already become pass happy, now RB's will be valued even less https://t.co/2W6VGFozQK

— Jacob Hester (@JacobHester22) March 22, 2016

You know what's also HUGE? Having working knees. https://t.co/O7dWbavNHg

— Nate (@CPVDAR23) March 22, 2016

As a FB/RB I got tackled at or below my knees on almost every carry. What's the difference? There's not one. https://t.co/7xQoawMUBE

— Jacob Hester (@JacobHester22) March 22, 2016

So, defensive players are happy and offensive players are not. Shocker.

This is a good move for protecting the knees and legs of defensive players on the line of scrimmage, of course. But it could bring some other things to the forefront, like the run/pass balance that Hester mentioned, or the league's offensive line struggles.

Chop blocks are gone. (USATSI)