NFL Rule Changes: What Passed, What Didn't And How It Affects The Game - SB Nation

By Ryan Van Bibber

The NFL made another round of rule changes this week. How will the new rules impact the game and the fan experience?

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Mar 29, 2012 - NFL owners made another round of rule changes on Wednesday morning, passing five of seven possible changes. Six bylaw changes also came before owners for a vote, but five of the six were tabled for further study with a vote coming in May.

The new rules continue the league's dance with making the game safer and more competitive while maintaining traces of the violence that makes the sport unique. However, competition outweighed safety in this round of changes, and those changes should give fans something to grumble about right away. The potential changes to the bylaws could have the most impact, especially if the league moves to up its own hot stove action by pushing the trade deadline back by two weeks.

Related: How will proposed rule changes affect the game?

Horse collar tackle exemption does not pass: Mention the words "player safety" to some NFL fans and you are liable to touch a nerve and set off a rant about the good old days of leather helmets. Regardless of where you come down on the equitable distribution of scoring and hitting, recent rule changes have provided players more protections. That made the owners' decision not to remove the exemption that allows defenders to bring down a quarterback in the pocket with a horse collar tackle surprising.

Quarterbacks are among the most protected players in the league, and highest paid. Many thought that the competition committee would propose even more protections for quarterback safety. So why did owners opt to pass on affording them one more safeguard?

"We watched the tape and didn't feel that was a change that was also fair to the defender," competition committee chairman Rich McKay explained. "The defender in the pocket is fighting off an offensive player, grabbing and just trying to do everything he can."

Chalk one up for the defense. I have no doubt that pass rushers will stop and think to themselves, "I might as well go ahead and serve this suspension for a bogus roughing the passer call; Goodell took care of me with that whole horse collar thing last March."

Replay remains on the field, but turnovers now included: The other rule change rejected by owners was a proposal submitted by the Buffalo Bills to take video reviews out of the hands of the ref on the field and send it upstairs to the officials in the booth. On the surface, it seems like that rule would simplify things, perhaps even sawing off a few minutes of game time with all the back and forth refs and coaches have to do. The rumor mill said that teams had concerns about replay officials being less experienced than refs, and so the resolution did not pass.

Starting in 2012 turnovers will be subject to automatic video review, similar to what the league did with scoring plays last year. Don't worry, that change is not expected to make the games last longer, McKay said.

"When you see it, it feels like it would slow the game down because you are taking what would be a challenge and taking it upstairs for confirmation," McKay said. "We didn't see that in the scoring plays, and we think in the turnovers, it will have the same effect."

Regular season overtime rules change: A change to the overtime rules is likely to make games run longer, at least overtime games. Gone are the days where winning the coin flip nearly guaranteed a win, with a team needing only to put the ball in field goal range. The new overtime rules will work just like the overtime rules in the playoffs.

Expanding the crackback block rules: The only change to the rules regarding player safety was an expansion of the crackback block rules. Now, defenseless players are protected from hits upstairs, affording their heads and necks the same level of protection as their knees.

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Given the league's concern over concussions, modifying crackback blocks makes sense. The trick here is enforcement. Every officiating crew is going to call this one a little differently. To call this one fairly and accurately, refs are going to have to closely see where players get hit, since the rule shrinks the legal area of contact. Just how much variation in calling or not calling crackback blocks will determine the level of frustrations fans and teams experience.

NFL trade deadline proposal tabled until May: The one hallmark of the NFL trade deadline over the years was the fact that it was nothing like baseball's trade deadline period. Teams rarely, if ever, made deals, and when they did it was mostly just to swap spare parts and role players. That could be changing in 2012 if owners approve a proposal to move the trade deadline back from Week 6 to Week 8.

Explaining the proposed changes ahead of the owners meeting, McKay acknowledged that the league expects more trading in the spring and ahead of the deadline. Pushing back the deadline would allow teams more time to assess needs and hammer out deals.

Just how popular will more trading be? Every year interest in the NFL draft and free agency grows exponentially. Adding a third act in the NFL's hot stove drama in the fall might break the Internet.

Injured reserve exemption: The other big ticket item from the tabled bylaw changes is offering teams an injured reserve exemption. Under the current rules, if a player is hurt in the preseason or early in the season, their year is finished if a team puts them on IR, even if they could return in the dwindling weeks of the season, like say for a playoff push.

Under the proposed bylaw change, which owners will vote on in May, teams could designate one player to return after a minimum of eight weeks. It's a smart change that would help make sure premium players, premium draws, are not off the field for an entire season. In truth, the league should change its IR rules to allow this for all players, rather than just one designated player under the current proposal. It could make the season's end more interesting as teams battling for a playoff spot get reinforcements back into the mix. For teams that have already been eliminated from the hunt, having injured players return could at least make those late season games more competitive.

Roster changes will be voted on in May: Another pair of proposed bylaw changes could also have an impact on a team's roster. One would grant one weekly exemption for a player with a concussion. Another would bump up the offseason roster limit from 80 to 90 players, but undrafted rookies would then count toward that limit.

The only bylaw change that passed was one modifying roster rules for teams playing on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The others will get a further look in May, after the league addresses some concerns and suggestions made about the others. The league also wants them blessed by the union before passing them.

"No, there were some really good ideas and suggestions," McKay said. "There is not necessarily resistance. We have just got to work on the language a little bit. They do not need to be passed today. We will pass them in May, we will deal with them and we will show them to the union and do all the normal steps."

For more on the NFL rules and bylaws changes, visit this StoryStream.

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Wizards vs. Wildcats? It would be a laugher - FOXSports.com

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Randy Hill has covered the NBA for 25 years in Southern California and Arizona. He played high school and college basketball. His involvement in the sport includes coaching and training at the high school level.? In at least one U.S. city, this week's walk-up to college basketball's Final Four hasn't provoked debate regarding the potential for top-ranked Kentucky to knock off Louisville.
And this particular market doesn't seem that interested in how the Wildcats would fare against Ohio State. Or Kansas.
In Washington, D.C., the prevailing Kentucky discourse is propelled by the conjured notion that the No. 1 seed in college hoops could knock off the NBA Wizards. For the record (and for now), the 11-38 Wizards still officially qualify as an NBA franchise.
Anyway, escorted into that city's topical wheelhouse by two radio sports-talk hosts, this idea gained traction when former University of Maryland coach Gary Williams said it could happen.
Well, with a specific caveat.
This hypothetical showdown would occur at UK's Rupp Arena, allowing us to assume the Wizards would be playing by house rules. And it would only be one game. While providing the reasons behind his argument on the D.C.-area radio show in question, Williams used variables such as the rabid home crowd, Kentucky's starting lineup of five NBA prospects and its athleticism to support the position.
To widen the scope of opinion, I was requested to supply knowledge from two NBA employees who make their bones scouting college prospects. Because they've been asked to discuss players who haven't declared for the draft, these NBA experts will remain anonymous.
By the way, both of their immediate reactions suggested the caliber of startled amusement that often triggers the spewing of a carbonated beverage through nostrils. When these physical responses finally were under control, they offered insights built on years of experience with both levels of basketball.
"They're an NBA team ... a dysfunctional NBA team," the scout we'll refer to as Scout A said of the Wizards, "but an NBA team. I think it would be a 40- or 50-point game.
"I really like Kentucky's team, and they do have players who will be playing in the NBA ... just not now."
Right, the 'Cats — who go seven deep — are led in NBA potential by freshman post man Anthony Davis and freshman Swiss Army Knife small forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. They're joined on the front line by sophomore forward Terrence Jones, a versatile lefty with lottery ability and second-round inconsistency. The backcourt features sophomore sniper Doron Lamb (who also can drive to the cup) and quick freshman point guard Marquis (brother of Atlanta Hawk Jeff) Teague. The sixth man is senior Darius Miller, who had eight turnovers (Teague and Lamb each had four) against the Louisville pressure last Dec. 31.
"They would be playing against grown men who play against the best players in the world," Scout A said. "I don't think some people appreciate the difference."
Yeah, it's compelling to imagine how Davis, for example, might go from the first pick in the 2012 draft (if he chooses to leave Lexington) to a contributor — surrounded by grown-up players with NBA experience — in a few months' time. But projecting five such prospects against an NBA team and expecting triumph seems like an extended flight of fancy.
One of the first schematic considerations is the Wildcats' ability to do what they do best against any NBA team. That would be defense, where UK excels in stopping dribble penetration, contesting shots and using pressure to create turnovers.
"Would they (Kentucky) extend their defense against an NBA team?" Scout A asked in reference to Kentucky's pressure tactics. "How many NBA teams can get away with pressing or trapping NBA players? NBA guys know how to play basketball ... they'd find the middle immediately and the trap would be dead."
By the way, the Wizards' point guard is former UK superstar John Wall, who left the 'Cats after his freshman season to be the first overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Recent Wizards acquisition Nene (a former lottery pick from Brazil) would be matched with Davis on the block, where the 6-foot-11, 260-pound pro would be working closer to the rim than usual. The college lane is 12 feet wide (compared to 16 in the NBA), leaving less space between the thin upper body of the 6-10 Davis and the hoop at Rupp Arena.
"He (Nene) would just take Davis right under the rim and use his strength to take away Davis' ability to elevate," Scout A said.
A Kentucky team that's patient beyond its years might be able to massage the 35-second shot clock to find an eventual hole in a Wizards defense that rarely locks in during NBA games. The rules-enabled ability to clog the lane (well, play zone) without a defensive-three-second penalty would aid in slightly limiting what still could be frequent dribble penetration by Wall. On the flip side, NBA defenders would love the paint-loitering latitude of the college format, making trips to the lane even more difficult for the already-decision-impaired Teague.
With a 3-point line that's 3 feet closer, Wizards Jordan Crawford and Rashard Lewis (if he's awake) might have an enjoyable evening. A 40-minute game would lessen Kentucky's depth concerns, but having only five fouls per player would be troublesome for a front line battling physical players such as Nene, Trevor Booker and Kevin Seraphin.
Entering, but not signing in, is Scout B, who will offer his tale of the starting-lineup tape.
"I really like where Davis is now and what he can become," Scout B said. "But at Kentucky, he's the primary rebounder and rim protector. His value as an NBA prospect is as a four-man who can use his length and agility all over the court while whoever is at the five (center) does the dirty work, provides the muscle, in the middle.
"Against the Wizards, Davis would have to be that dirty-work guy against Nene. Davis might be like 'The Karate Kid' in battling the odds, but Nene is like taking on ... Godzilla instead of that jerky blond kid from the movie. Nene is a physical nightmare compared to what Davis sees night in and night out in college. Jones might be able to help out, but he'd have his own issues dealing with Booker or Seraphin or chasing Rashard Lewis at the 3-point line. See? The Wizards could just wear those two down."
OK, let's move to the matchup of Jones and Booker (please note that recent trades and the aforementioned dysfunction make it difficult to nail down a Wizards lineup).
"Jones can do more things with the basketball, but that often gets him into trouble," Scout B said. "If Jones has the light bulb go on ... and it seems to be getting close ... he could be much better down the road. But right now? Trevor Booker was a beast in the ACC and works his butt off now. Jones might get physically demoralized before he even knew what hit him. I don't know ... maybe Kentucky could be saved from a physical beating by college refs."

We move to small forward, where Kidd-Gilchrist would be matched with 2011 Wizards first-round pick Chris Singleton.
"Heck, we all love Kidd-Gilchrist and how hard he plays and so on," Scout B said. "But Singleton was All-ACC defense for two years and has the length and quickness to make it a long night for the college guy. Singleton has had to guard guys like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
"Kidd-Gilchrist could go top five this year and has more of the dreaded upside, but for one night, he'd seem like a vacation to Singleton. But the Kentucky kids would have no physical reference point for taking on an engaged NBA team for one night. They'll all adjust as they get into the league, but for right now?
"We are assuming that the Wizards would be clued in to who they were playing and how extra foolish they would look for losing to a college team, right? So they would bring it."
That seems to be a reasonable assumption ... even for the Wizards. Now, on to the shooting guards.
"Doron Lamb, to me, is a really good college player, who — based on size and explosion — may only be a fringe NBA player," Scout B said. "(Wizards two guard) Jordan Crawford may be a guy who scores because he gets to shoot a lot on a bad team, but he's still doing it against NBA guys. He's pretty talented, and he's relentless."

We pretty much know what Scout B thinks about the point-guard situation.
"Let's just say Teague — who's a blur himself — would find out about life in the NBA in a big hurry.

"I guess you can tell I'd take the Wiz in a rout. But if they were forced to play (Andray) Blatche ..."

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Bulls suffer most lopsided loss of season - Boston Herald

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CHICAGO — It might have been most apparent when John Lucas III dribbled and dribbled until the shot clock hit 3, then passed the ball to a blue jersey.

Or when C.J. Watson dropped a simple handoff from Taj Gibson, drawing jeers from the United Center crowd. Or when Joakim Noah failed to squeeze off a desperation runner before the halftime buzzer.

Derrick Rose normally handles those last-second flings. The reigning MVP handles a lot, including the basketball.

But he missed his seventh straight game Monday, and it was obvious that the Bulls missed him. As obvious as the stunning final score of 108-91, their most lopsided loss of the season.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau declined to use Rose’s injured groin as an excuse, saying: “We’ve proven we have more than enough to win (when he’s injured). We count on the guys that are here.”

The Bulls fell to 12-5 without Rose. They shot 65 percent (13-for-20) from three-point range and still got smoked, allowing the NBA’s highest-scoring team to shoot 50 percent from the field. That’s the highest percentage allowed since a 118-97 victory over Phoenix on Jan. 17.

“They shot the lights out,” Lucas said. “They had offense coming from everywhere.”

The Bulls’ starters scored just 44 points, as Noah (2 points, 5 rebounds) was particularly ineffective.

“We laid an egg,” Noah said after the Bulls had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Nuggets coach George Karl has more basketball knowledge in a strand of hair than most hoops junkies do in their noggins, but you had to question the validity of something he said before the game.

Asked about the Bulls minus the injured Rose, Karl replied: “I don’t think they look much different, except that they don’t have one of the top-three point guards in basketball running and controlling their offense at the end of games. Momentum situations are when Derrick’s skills and talents explode. But I don’t think they play much differently.

“They run the same plays. (Luol) Deng and (Carlos) Boozer are big parts of their offense, and Noah kind of quarterbacks their defense. They don’t give you many easy possessions. They give you a tough 48-minute game.”

Normally they do, anyway.

The start of the game was a thing of beauty for the Bulls — a Boozer open layup followed by two Boozer jumpers and a Ronnie Brewer steal and slam.

It was 8-0, but Thibodeau was concerned.

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Alabama Pro Day: Trent Richardson, Courtney Upshaw Prepare For NFL Scouts - SB Nation

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'An incredible champion - but very, very complex,' says Woods' former coach - CNN

'An incredible champion - but very, very complex,' says Woods' former coach - CNN.comvar cnnCurrTime=new Date(1333031191000),cnnCurrHour=10,cnnCurrMin=26,cnnCurrDay="Thu",cnnIsIntl=false,clickID=211911,cnn_cvpAdpre="",cnnCVPAdSectionT1="cnn.com_whatson_living_golf_t1",cnnCVPAdSectionInPage="cnn.com_whatson_living_golf_inpage",cnnShareUrl="%2F2012%2F03%2F28%2Fsport%2Fgolf%2Ftiger-woods-haney-book%2Findex.html",cnnShareTitle="'An%20incredible%20champion%20-%20but%20very%2C%20very%20complex%2C'%20says%20Woods'%20former%20coach",cnnShareDesc="",cnnFirstPub=new Date('Wednesday Mar 28 03:02:07 EDT 2012'),cnnSectionName="iSport",cnnSubSectionName="Golf",cnnPageType="Story",cnnBrandingValue="default";cnnPartnerValue="/tv/piersmorgan";cnnOmniBranding="",cnnAuthor="Matthew Knight, CNN",disqus_category_id=207582,disqus_identifier="/2012/03/28/sport/golf/tiger-woods-haney-book/index.html",disqus_title="'An incredible champion - but very, very complex,' says Woods' former coach",cnn_edtnswtchver="www",cnnIsStoryPage=true,cnn_metadata = {};cnn_metadata = {section: ["iSport","Golf"],friendly_name: "'An incredible champion - but very, very complex,' says Woods' former coach",template_type: "content",template_type_content: "partner",business: {cnn: {page: {author: "Matthew Knight, CNN",broadcast_franchise: "",video_embed_count: "2",publish_date: "2012/03/28",photo_gallery: "Coach Hank Haney releases Tiger Woods book"},video: {video_player: ""}}},user: {authenticated: "",segment: {age: "",zip: "",gender: ""}}};if (typeof(cnnOmniPartner) !== "undefined") {if (cnn_metadata.template_type_content === "") {cnn_metadata.template_type_content = "partner";}}var photo_gallery = "Coach Hank Haney releases Tiger Woods book";Event.observe(window,'load',function(){window.setTimeout("cnn_strysavemrv()",500);});function cnn_strysavemrv(){saveMrvUrl('\'An incredible champion - but very, very complex,\' says Woods\' former coach - CNN.com',cnn_strysaveurl);}if(typeof CNN==='undefined'){var CNN=Class.create();}CNN.expandableMap=[''];function _loginOptions(){};var disqus_url=(typeof disqus_identifier!=='undefined') ? 'http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/28/sport/golf/tiger-woods-haney-book/index.html' : 'http://www.cnn.com'+location.pathname;cnnad_newTileIDGroup(['607x95_adlinks','336x280_adlinks']); SET EDITION: ?U.S. INTERNATIONAL MéXICO ARABIC TV: ? CNN CNNi CNN en Espa?ol HLN Sign up Log in Home TV & Video NewsPulse U.S. World Politics Justice Entertainment Tech Health Living Travel Opinion iReport Money Sports World Sport Home Football Golf Tennis Motorsport Sailing Olympics Analysis Share this on: Facebook Twitter Digg delicious reddit MySpace StumbleUpon LinkedIn 'An incredible champion - but very, very complex,' says Woods' former coachSee show times ?By Matthew Knight, CNNupdated 9:04 AM EDT, Thu March 29, 2012if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(6);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Ex-coach tells all", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}Tiger Woods' former swing coach Hank Haney has released a book about his time working with the 14-time major champion.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"Ex-coach tells all"}Haney says that Woods's former wife Elin Nordegren did not know anything about the golfer's extramarital affairs which ended in their divorce.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Sex scandal"}Haney says Woods' former caddy Steve Williams would have intervened if he had known about the American's off-course antics.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"Caddy kept quiet?"}Haney says he texted Woods at the end of their partnership in 2010 expressing unhappiness that they did not seem like close friends.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Friends?"}Haney defended himself from criticism by Phil Mickelson's former coach Rick Smith, right, who said the book violated traditional trust in such a relationship.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"\'I didn\'t violate any agreement\'"}Haney is now focused on his coaching schools, including his International Junior Golf Academy on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Still teaching"}HIDE CAPTIONEx-coach tells allSex scandalCaddy kept quiet?Friends?'I didn't violate any agreement'Still teaching<<<123456>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Coach Hank Haney releases Tiger Woods book");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSTiger Woods' former swing coach publishes book detailing their time togetherHank Haney coached Woods from 2004 to 2010Haney criticized for reveal some private text messages sent to the former world No.1 Haney says Woods putting form bodes well for Woods quest for a fifth Masters title

(CNN) -- "Any time you're around greatness, like I was for six years, and you see it at close quarters, you're asked about it."

Tiger Woods' former swing coach Hank Haney says it happens wherever he goes.

With the former world No. 1 back in the headlines for the right reasons, the publication of "The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods" is Haney's chance to tell a few more people.

Haney joined Woods' team in 2004 and knew he'd "catch some flack" for penning the book, but he wanted to share his memories of a person he describes as very complex.

"I mean very, very complex. He's an incredible champion. You know, he's different. But I expected that," Haney told CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight.

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The 14-time major winner is no stranger to success at the Bay Hill tournament, having tasted victory there on a record six previous occasions.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":1,"title":"Seventh heaven"}Woods picked up his first win at the tournament hosted by seven-time major winner Arnold Palmer in 2000, beating fellow American Davis Love III by four shots.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":2,"title":"The first of many"}Woods retained his title in 2001, finishing the tournament 18 under par.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":3,"title":"Back-to-back wins"}And Woods was once again victorious at Bay Hill in 2002, sealing a hat-trick of wins at the event.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":4,"title":"Hat-trick"}In 2003, Woods became the first player to win the same tournament four years in a row since Gene Sarazen at the Miami Open in 1930 as he triumphed by a huge 11 shots.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":5,"title":"Record win"}Woods' fifth win at Bay Hill came in 2008 courtesy of a 25-putt on the final hole. It was the American's third successive PGA Tour victory that year, and fifth in a row going back to 2007. He won two out of three before that run, tying for second in the other. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":6,"title":"Five star"}Wood sealed another one-shot win at Bay Hill in 2009, beating fellow American Sean O'Hair.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":7,"title":"Six appeal"}Seventh heavenThe first of manyBack-to-back winsHat-trickRecord winFive starSix appealHIDE CAPTION<<<1234567>>>Tiger Woods' Bay Hill victoriesEvent.observe(window, 'load', function() {//report the first gallery image to ADBPif(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined') {cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image, "Coach Hank Haney releases Tiger Woods book");}});"I mean, when you see somebody that's as great as Tiger Woods, there's probably a reason for it. And you wouldn't expect him to be the same as everyone else."

Haney spent over 100 days in the company of Woods every year, even staying at his Florida home on occasions.

With regular phone conversations, it amounted to the closest relationship Haney has ever had with a player. But they were never really close, according to Haney.

"Tiger is pretty closed off. You don't really get a lot of communication from him, or deep conversations," he said.

The book reflects "exactly what happened" during their time together right down to publication of some text messages Haney sent to Woods.

"I feel like I've been a great friend to you. I don't feel like I've gotten that in return," reads one.

It's a move which has come in for criticism from some fellow coaches.

Rick Smith, former coach of Phil Mickelson, recently said: "I'd rather be broke and not have a penny to my name before I violate the code of player/teacher confidentiality. For all the guys who've committed their lives to teaching, this should be very upsetting."

But Haney rejects charges of betrayal saying the book is honest and fair.

"Those rules are not written rules. Those might be rules that Rick and obviously some other people think are rules. But I wasn't bound by any agreement. I didn't violate any agreement," Haney said.

I mean very, very complex. He's an incredible champion. You know, he's different. But I expected that
Hank Haney, Tiger Woods former swing coachThe "great friend" text was sent when he resigned and reflects what Haney believes to be the truth.

"I always gave an answer that was in the best interest of Tiger Woods. And I didn't feel like that happened in return," Haney said.

But there wasn't one single thing which made him want to terminate their relationship.

"We had a great time together. Tiger won a lot of tournaments. He won 45% of his tournaments the last three years I worked with him," Haney said.

"It was just time for me to go. You know, I had a great time. It was the greatest opportunity a coach or teacher could have. I'm very thankful for it."

Haney was "shocked" when the scandal about Woods' personal life broke in November 2009.

"I didn't know anything. Steve Williams, his caddy, didn't know anything. And obviously Elin, Tiger's wife at the time, didn't know anything," he said.

"I don't think it would be my place necessarily as a coach (to have said something), but it would be my place, I feel like, as a friend. I certainly would have said something and I know Steve Williams would have said something too."

Tiger is pretty closed off. You don't really get a lot of communication from him, or deep conversations
Hank HaneyHaney detects that a post-scandal Woods may have "softened" but says he's getting back to his best.

"He's definitely striking the ball well. I mean, he finished first in greens in regulation, which for the years that I worked with Tiger, I thought that was a key statistic. He was always first in greens in regulation, or near the top."

But it's his recent improvement on the greens which Haney thinks will be key to success in the coming weeks.

"The great thing about Bay Hill to me was that his putting was good. He finished fourth in putting. That's a key statistic. Every player that's won on the PGA tour this year has finished top 10 in putting," he said.

"And going to Augusta, that's the most important thing. Tiger would have won five or six green jackets in a row if he would have fewer than, you know, two three-putts for the 72 holes.

"So if he can avoid three-putts at Augusta, he'll be very difficult to beat. He's great on that golf course. It fits his game."

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Share this on: Facebook Twitter Digg delicious reddit MySpace StumbleUpon LinkedIn We recommendvar cnn_oburlStr=location.pathname+'';cnn_oburlStr=(cnn_oburlStr.indexOf('?') > -1) ? cnn_oburlStr.substr(0,cnn_oburlStr.indexOf('?')) : cnn_oburlStr;var OutbrainPermaLink='http://www.cnn.com'+cnn_oburlStr;var OB_Template="cnn";var OB_langJS='http://widgets.outbrain.com/lang_en.js';var OB_widgetId='AR_1';if (typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined'){OutbrainStart();}else{var OB_Script=true;var str="From around the webcnnad_newTileIDGroup(['607x95_adlinks','336x280_adlinks']);cnnad_createAd("608731","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn&cnn_pagetype=mmst&cnn_position=336x850_rgt&cnn_rollup=world_sport&cnn_section=golf&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","850","336");cnnad_registerSpace(608731,336,850);Part of complete coverage on Living Golf latestHaney: 'Tiger's very complex'updated 5:28 AM EDT, Thu March 29, 2012Tiger Woods' former coach Hank Haney speaks out in a primetime exclusive with Piers Morgan about the golfer. Can Woods claim Masters triumph?After his Bay Hill win Tiger Woods will be firing on all cylinders at the Masters says Living Golf presenter Shane O'Donoghue. Tiger a force in video-game worldupdated 2:55 PM EDT, Wed March 21, 2012He may no longer be world No. 1, but there's no question that golf still revolves around Tiger Woods -- who remains a key player in the video-game world. At home with Lee Westwoodupdated 11:10 AM EST, Thu March 8, 2012Living Golf special reporter Andrew Coltart interviews his brother-in-law Lee Westwood, formerly the world's No. 1 player.Early success for Lexi Thompsonupdated 11:11 AM EST, Thu March 8, 2012Living Golf's Shane O'Donoghue meets the youngest ever winner on the LPGA Tour, Lexi Thompson.The rise of the 'Belly Putter'updated 11:10 AM EST, Thu March 8, 2012Living Golf looks at the controversial "Belly Putter" and its future use within the sport.Why golf must get it right for OlympicsCNN's Colin Hancock says the choice of who designs the Rio course is only the first step in making sure golf keeps its Olympic status. Wind farm row threatens Trump resortupdated 6:38 AM EST, Thu March 1, 2012When the first sod was laid on Donald Trump's billion-dollar Scottish golf resort, few people could have predicted that less than a year later it would be under threat.Golf gadgets to improve your gameupdated 10:09 AM EST, Wed February 29, 2012Whether you're a weekend hacker or an accomplished scratch golfer, there are always new ways to improve your game.In the Navy? Tiger's 'secret dream'updated 10:48 AM EST, Wed February 29, 2012Tiger Woods has done it all in golf, but a new book claims that the world's top-earning sportsman once thought about giving up -- to join the Navy.Champ's spitting sparks Twitter rowupdated 9:42 AM EST, Tue February 21, 2012"It's a long-time habit I've got to try to conquer," admits rising star Keegan Bradley, as he confesses to breaking one of golf's biggest taboos.Morocco's trailblazing female golferupdated 7:43 AM EST, Tue February 7, 2012In many ways, Maha Haddioui is the archetypal young professional women's golfer, desperate to make a breakthrough on a major tour. Why golf and business still need TigerLiving Golf's Shane O'Donoghue discovers that Tiger Woods is still a major drawcard in Abu Dhabi.Discover golf's top luxury retreatsupdated 12:54 PM EST, Tue December 20, 2011With the holiday season upon us, what better time to take a luxury break and get away from it all -- and relax with a few rounds of golf.NewsPulseMost popular stories right nowU.S. economy to outpace EuropeBluegrass great Earl Scruggs dead at 88Video raises questions in Martin killingTSA: Man at airport had fireworks, powderZimmerman in handcuffs night of shootingExplore the news with NewsPulse ?cnnad_createAd("539313","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn&cnn_pagetype=mmst&cnn_position=300x150_rgt&cnn_rollup=world_sport&cnn_section=golf&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","150","300");cnnad_registerSpace(539313,300,150);

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