The NFL Competition Committee discussed proposed rule changes that will be discussed at the upcoming NFL Annual Meeting. Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent, Atlanta Falcons President/CEO and Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay and St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher participated in the conference call.
The Committee is presenting a proposal by the Detroit Lions that would permit the instant replay system to correct an officiating error. That would include such controversial calls as pass interference.
Also on the agenda is a proposal by the New England Patriots to place fixed cameras on all boundary lines. That would guarantee coverage of those lines regardless of where network cameras are positioned.
Other proposals include moving the extra point attempt to the 15-yard line and guaranteeing both teams a possession in overtime even if one scores a touchdown on its first drive. There is also a proposal to give teams that successfully convert a 2-point conversion the chance to immediately add another point from midfield.
The NFL annual meeting begins Sunday March 22, 2015 in Phoenix Arizona.
Here are some additional proposals that will be discussed and voted on next week:
1. The first proposal asks for coaches to call a timeout instead of throwing the red flag to challenge a call. Teams would earn the timeout back if the challenge is upheld.
2. The Detroit Lions submitted a proposal that would make all penalties reviewable.
3. The Tennessee Titans is asking for all personal foul penalties to be reviewable through a coach’s challenge.
4. New England proposed to eliminate the ban on challenges in the final two minutes of the half and overtime.
6. New England proposed to push back PATs to the 15-yard line, with two-point tries staying at the 2-yard line. The Pats aren’t giving up this request.
7. The Colts are proposing a new scoring system in the Pre-Season- Their proposal calls for a “bonus field goal” that would allow teams to kick an extra point following a successful two-point try.
8. The Chicago Bears presented a rule change that would award possession to both teams in overtime.
9. One bylaw proposal calls for the elimination of the summertime roster cut down from 90 to 75 players. Instead, teams would be asked to chop their squads from 90 to 53 players.
10. When Team A presents a punt, field-goal, or Try Kick formation, a Team B player, who is within one yard of the line of scrimmage, must have his entire body outside the snapper’s shoulder pads at the snap.
11. All players must wear numerals on their jerseys in accordance with Rule 5, Section 4, Article 3c. Such numerals must be by playing position, as follows:
a) quarterbacks, punters, and placekickers: 1–19;
b) running backs and defensive backs: 20–49;
c) centers: 50–79;
d) offensive guards and tackles: 60–79;
e) wide receivers: 10–19 and 80–89;
f) tight ends and H-backs: 40–49 and 80–89;
g) defensive linemen: 50–79 and 90–99;
h) linebackers: 40-49, 50–59, and 90–99.
