As camp neared in 1978, the story reporters focused on was how the NFL’s new rules would impact the sticky-fingered, beat-’em-up style of Pittsburgh’s defensive backs and its run-heavy offense. The dictates had been the brainchild of Tex Schramm, designed from his perch as head of the competition committee. Before the 1977 season, rules outlawing the head slap and bumping a receiver more than once during his pattern had been enacted.
