Rule changes that kick in following season--
2002- $297,647.00
The Chop Block technique is illegal on all kicking plays. It is illegal to hit a quarterback helmet-to-helmet any time after a change of possession.
2003- $274,600.00
2004- $1,743,785.00
2005- $773,881.00
It is illegal to grab the inside collar of the shoulder pads to tackle a runner ("horse-collar tackle"). Unnecessarily running, diving into, or throwing the body against a player who should not have reasonably anticipated such contact by an opponent is unnecessary roughness. Previously, the rule only protected a player who is out of the play. A kicker/punter must not be unnecessarily contacted by the receiving team through the end of the play or until he assumes a distinctly defensive position. An opponent may not unnecessarily initiate helmet-to-helmet contact to the kicker/punter during the kick or during the return. An offensive player who is aligned in the tackle box at the snap and moves to a position outside the box is prohibited from initiating contact on the side or below the waist of an opponent if the blocker is moving toward his own end line and approaches the opponent from behind or from the side ("Peel Back Block"). The near shoulder of the blocker must be in front of his opponent's body.
2006- $928,028.00(Goodell's first year)
Low hits on the quarterback are prohibited when a rushing defender has an opportunity to avoid such contact. Blocks in the back above the waist by the kicking team while the ball is in flight during a scrimmage kick are illegal. The definition of a "horse collar tackle" is expanded to include grabbing the inside collar of the jersey. During a field-goal attempt or a try, a defensive player who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage at the snap must have his helmet outside the snapper's shoulder pad. Personal or unsportsmanlike conduct fouls that occur during halftime or during intermission between fourth period and an overtime period will be penalized on the ensuing kickoff. During a free kick, at least four kicking team players must be on each side of the kicker when the ball is kicked.
2007- $759,116.00
A block below the waist against an eligible receiver while the quarterback is in the pocket is a 15-yard penalty instead of a 5-yard penalty (an illegal cut block).
2008- $977,500.00
2009- $755,000.00
Teams are not permitted to intentionally form a wedge of more than two players on a kickoff return in an attempt to block for the runner. Penalty: 15 yards. The "bunch" formation on kickoffs is eliminated. The kickoff team must have at least three players outside each hash mark, one of whom must be outside the yard-line number. It is an illegal "blindside" block if the blocker is moving toward his own endline and approaches the opponent from behind or from the side, and the initial force of the contact by the blocker's helmet, forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of an opponent. Penalty: 15-yards. It is an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver if the initial force of the contact by the defender's helmet, forearm, or shoulder is to the head or neck area of the receiver. Penalty: 15 yards. Clarified rule regarding low hits on passers: A defender cannot initiate a roll or lunge and forcibly hit the passer in the knee area or below, even if he is being contacted by another player. It is not a foul if the defender swipes, wraps, or grabs a passer in the knee area or below in an attempt to tackle him.
2010- $3,152,529.00
During a field-goal attempt, punt, or try-kick, a defensive team player, who is within one yard of line of scrimmage at snap, must have his entire body outside the snapper's shoulder pads. After a half has expired, dead ball personal fouls by either team will be enforced on the succeeding kickoff. A player who has just completed a catch is protected from blows to the head or neck by an opponent who launches. All "defenseless players" are protected from blows to the head delivered by an opponent's helmet, forearm, or shoulder. Kickers and punters during the kick and return, and quarterbacks after a change of possession, are protected from blows to the head delivered by an opponent's helmet, forearm, or shoulder, instead of just helmet-to-helmet contact. The ball is declared dead at the spot if a runner's helmet comes completely off.
2011- $7,356,732.00
The restraining line for the kicking team is moved from the 30- to the 35-yard line in an effort to increase touchbacks. All kicking team players other than the kicker must be lined up no more than five yards behind their restraining line, eliminating the 15-20 yard running "head start" that had become customary for many players. The list of "defenseless players" is expanded to include a kicker/punter during the kick or during the return, a quarterback at any time after a change of possession, and a player who receives a "blindside" block when the blocker is moving toward his own endline and approaches the opponent from behind or from the side. Previously, these players were protected against blows to the head, but not against blows delivered by an opponent with the top/crown or forehead/"hairline" parts of the helmet against other parts of the body. A receiver who has completed a catch is a "defenseless player" until he has had time to protect himself or has clearly become a runner. A receiver/runner is no longer defenseless if he is able to avoid or ward off the impending contact of an opponent. Previously, the receiver who had completed a catch was protected against an opponent who launched and delivered a blow to the receiver's head.
2012- $13,566,433.00
The list of "defenseless players" is expanded to include defensive players on crackback blocks, making it illegal to hit them in the head or neck area. Players are required to wear protective knee and thigh pads beginning with the 2013 season.
2013- $10,075,978.00(through week 13)
Total- $40,661,229.00
SF total $514,992 Washington total- $4,224,968 (highest amount of all teams)
http://www.spotrac.com/fines-tracker/nfl/all-years/
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000224872/article/evolution-of-the-rules-from-hashmarks-to-crackback-blocks
[ Edited by Ronnie49Lott on Dec 7, 2013 at 12:10 AM ]