In the '99 NEC this section reads--"Where the box is mounted on or at the surface,..."

In the '02 and '05 NEC this section reads--"Where the box is mounted on the surface,..."

What is the intent of this change?

If a drywall ring is flush with the wall, is it acceptable to ground the receptacle by direct metal to metal contact with the ring?

These changes sort of tend to not allowing this anymore.

Thanks