[Fellionas]

Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay, who is a co-chairman of the league's competition committee, said that a series of subtle changes will be considered.

McKay said that owners will discuss a proposal that will move the kickoff from the 30-yard line in regulation to the 35 in overtime. The hope is that such a minor change will alter field position enough to even the results.

McKay said the proposed change came after the committee examined results of games from 1984 to 1993, when the kickoff was from the 35. In those games, the team that won the coin flip won only 48.6 percent.

Among the other proposed changes:

-The owners will vote on whether to make instant replay a permanent rule. There are two years remaining on the current rule and McKay said the league is satisfied with the current format.

-The league will consider a 5-yard penalty on a player who spikes the ball in the field of play. End zone spikes after touchdowns or spiking the ball after going out of bounds would still be allowed. The penalty would also not take away from a possible first down. Rather, a team would get the result of the play first, then have the five yards walked off and start with a fresh first-and-10 or first-and-goal situation. The goal of the penalty is to improve sportsmanship, McKay said.

-The league will decide on whether to alter the weekly injury report. Rather than have a detailed report that appears on Wednesday and Thursday indicating whether a player is probable, questionable, doubtful or out, teams will simply report if players participated in practice. A standard injury report would be issued Friday. McKay said the hope of the new reporting policy is to keep coaches from being put in situations where they were hurting their "integrity" in discussing the injury report.

-McKay said the committee will move the umpire in the officiating crew in NFL Europe games to the offensive side of the ball rather than the defense. McKay said the league will study that change for possible implementation in the league someday.

There are also expected to be presentations from several teams about changes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are proposing that penalties be included in the instant replay process. The Chicago Bears are asking for an increase in the active roster for game day from 45 to 47 players. Finally, the San Francisco 49ers are proposing that there be a revised pass interference call which would have a 15-yard penalty for a "minor" violation and a full-yardage penalty for a "major" violation.

[mikajuise]

Among the other proposed changes:

-The owners will vote on whether to make instant replay a permanent rule. There are two years remaining on the current rule and McKay said the league is satisfied with the current format.
My response: Why not.


-The league will consider a 5-yard penalty on a player who spikes the ball in the field of play. End zone spikes after touchdowns or spiking the ball after going out of bounds would still be allowed. The penalty would also not take away from a possible first down. Rather, a team would get the result of the play first, then have the five yards walked off and start with a fresh first-and-10 or first-and-goal situation. The goal of the penalty is to improve sportsmanship, McKay said.
My response: More asanine and overkill. Only way it should be considered if it replaces the 15 yard penalty on such plays.

-The league will decide on whether to alter the weekly injury report. Rather than have a detailed report that appears on Wednesday and Thursday indicating whether a player is probable, questionable, doubtful or out, teams will simply report if players participated in practice. A standard injury report would be issued Friday. McKay said the hope of the new reporting policy is to keep coaches from being put in situations where they were hurting their "integrity" in discussing the injury report.
My response: How about enforcing the rules for guys who obviously break the rules like that egomaniac in New England. Also, this will never ever pass, because the NFL is too tied in with the Vegas money.

-McKay said the committee will move the umpire in the officiating crew in NFL Europe games to the offensive side of the ball rather than the defense. McKay said the league will study that change for possible implementation in the league someday.
My response: As long as you don't hire full time refs. God forbid

There are also expected to be presentations from several teams about changes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are proposing that penalties be included in the instant replay process. The Chicago Bears are asking for an increase in the active roster for game day from 45 to 47 players. Finally, the San Francisco 49ers are proposing that there be a revised pass interference call which would have a 15-yard penalty for a "minor" violation and a full-yardage penalty for a "major" violation.
My response: The Bucs proposal is silly. I like the Bears idea, especially considering the growing number of specialists in today's game(long snapper, holder). As for the last idea, it's good in theory, but isn't that why you have holding and pass interference.

[hexniks]

The Bucs proposal is silly



I completely agree with this. If you look hard enough, you'll find offensive holding on just about every single play. It happens. I'm sure if you look hard enough, you'll find all kinds of penalties on just about every play. Yes, there's obvious bad calls where the refs blow one, but I can only imagine the slow down if they allowed instant replay for penalties.

[KignPeeseeamn]

There are also expected to be presentations from several teams about changes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are proposing that penalties be included in the instant replay process. The Chicago Bears are asking for an increase in the active roster for game day from 45 to 47 players. Finally, the San Francisco 49ers are proposing that there be a revised pass interference call which would have a 15-yard penalty for a "minor" violation and a full-yardage penalty for a "major" violation. Isn't that why there is illegal contact?

[Emalodoulouts]

The Bucs proposal is silly



I completely agree with this. If you look hard enough, you'll find offensive holding on just about every single play. It happens. I'm sure if you look hard enough, you'll find all kinds of penalties on just about every play. Yes, there's obvious bad calls where the refs blow one, but I can only imagine the slow down if they allowed instant replay for penalties.

Without looking into great detail, this sounds like the Bucs got hosed on some replay last year, and are just looking for attention.

[Shemker394]

I know this has been said before, but i would like Overtime to be played like College. In that each team gets at least one possession.