2011 NFL season
The NFL 2011 season was the 92nd season of American Football in the National Football League ( NFL). The discharge was uncertain due to the lockout for a long time and could only be confirmed in mid-July. The regular season began on September 8, 2011 and ended on 1 January 2012. The playoffs began on January 7 and ended with the Super Bowl XLVI on February 5.
Lockout
Due to the leaked on March 3, 2011 " Collective Bargaining Agreement " means the performance of the upcoming season was long uncertain. Negotiations for a new contract dragged on until March 11, but failed. Then ranged ten active, including Tom Brady and Drew Brees and some inactive players a a motion of censure against the NFL. The League responded with a so-called lockout. On April 25 the lockout was lifted for five days and prompted the league to talk. During this time the NFL Draft, which was carried out properly fell. However, due to the unclear situation, the rookies have not yet been committed. On April 30 the lockout went back into effect. On June 3, there was a court hearing in which both parties were heard. The decision was set at the end of June, but was temporarily suspended by the willingness to discuss both sides. On the day before the trial met the league with the opposing party, who, to come NFLPA (NFL Players Association ) in talks to find a solution.
Point of contention was the income distribution of the new contract. So far, earned the team owner, the fixed sum of one billion U.S. dollars, the remaining proceeds went to 60 percent of players, the rest of the owners. With the new contract, the team owner now demanded to increase the fixed amount to two billion U.S. dollars.
Mid-July 2011, both parties agreed on a new collective agreement for the next ten years. The season took place as planned.
Rule Changes
The policy was adopted in March 2011 at the annual owners meetings.
- The kickoff rules were renewed. The kickoff was moved five yards, from the 30 - yard line to the 35 -yard line. The Receiving team is just more than five yards from the kickoff team removed, thereby increasing the rate low at impact of the teams and the likelihood of injury is reduced. Other rules have been rejected because they are afraid they might have a negative impact on the number of kickoff returns.
- All moves with points gain are controlled by the game official observers and confirmed or challenged. This was previously only possible in the last two minutes of both halves.
- The playing field must be green from next season. Crucial to this scheme were the increased number of requests from sponsors to change the lawn in their colors, as is already the case in Invesco Field at Mile High. However, the NFL may grant exceptions.
Regular Season
The season opening game, the so-called " Kickoff ", took place on 8 September at the Lambeau Field between the defending champion Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints instead. The game ended with a 42:34 victory for the Packers.
Legend:
Play-offs
The play-offs were held until 5th February 2012 January 7, 2012.
- The team with the lower set number has home advantage and is popularly called as the first, contrary to the practice in the U.S., where the home team is listed first.
- (*) After extra time
Super Bowl XLVI
The Super Bowl XLVI, the 46th edition of the Super Bowl, Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana was held at the Lucas Oil on February 5, 2012. The New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots at 21:17. For Super Bowl MVP quarterback of the Giants, Eli Manning was elected.
Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl, the All -Star game in the league, was 29 January 2012, one week before Super Bowl XLVI, held at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii. The team from the AFC (American Football Conference ) defeated the team of the NFC ( National Football Conference ) with 59:41.