NFL Bans Use of Ineligible Receivers Because Patriots Did it Once and Won

The NFL approved a formation rule change on Wednesday because the Patriots used it to torch the Ravens in a playoff game last year.

Remember when Shane Vareen reported as ineligble, and lined up in a slot position? After the snap, he back pedaled and remained in the backfield instead of running a route causing some serious confusion among the Ravens defense and coach John Harbough.

The Ravens continued to whine about it, even after the game. Well now next season if the Patriots try and run the same thing, they'll be penalized with a 5-yard penalty.

The new rule "makes it illegal for an offensive player wearing an eligible number -- between 1 and 49, or 80 to 89 -- to report as ineligible and line up outside the tackle box. Now, if a player is declared ineligible yet lines up outside the tackle box, the offense will be penalized for illegal substitution."

This rule change is just another one that started because of complaints from other teams about the Patriots. They should rename the NFL's Competition Committee to the Patriots Beat Us So Lets Make Something They Do Illegal Committee.

Jeff Fisher, co-chair of the committee, even said as much. According to him, several teams brought up the Patriots' formation plays as a problem that needed to change.

What's next? Spotting opponents 7 points before the game starts?