Chip Kelly didn't exactly accomplish all he wanted to in the NFL with short stints in Philadelphia and San Francisco, but he may have long-term impact in at least one way via a proposed rule change.
According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL is looking at closing a loophole that allowed coaches to manipulate the game clock. Kelly took advantage of the situation in a game against New Orleans last year, where he called for several 49ers players to commit defensive holding penalties on one play late in the game in order to burn down the game clock.
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In the mentioned situation, New Orleans had the ball with eight seconds left in the half up 28-20. The 49ers then committed multiple holding penalties on the next play, allowing for the Saints to get better field position, but at the cost of four seconds on the game clock. The Saints were then only able to attempt a field goal instead of going for a touchdown.
The 49ers lost that game, but the tactic caught the eye of those in the NFL offices, and it looks like changes could be coming. Under the new proposed rule, the multiple intentional penalties would be given an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. This would give the opposing team yards and the clock would be reset to its original time from the play's snap.
Not exactly the lasting legacy Chip Kelly wanted, but it's something.
