What's everyones take on the three new rule changes?

For those who don't know, the new rule changes are as follows:

1. Trading: Now teams can trade up to week 13 of the season. I'm not quite sure what the deadline was previously, but I see this as good for teams to try and acquire talent when certain positions aren't clicking later in the season.

2. Injure Reserve: Now, there is a single spot of exemption from IR which will allow teams to put high star talent into an exemption giving that player six weeks to recover and come back to practice.

3. Pads: Now more pads are mandatory. Soon they'll be telling the ol' boys where to wear sweat bands, but that's just my take. ;)