Fans may want to start preparing for an expanded overtime system and more instant replays.


NFL executives will meet in Palm Beach, Fla., beginning this Saturday for the annual owners meetings, and a major part of the summit is to discuss rule changes proposed by the nine-member competition committee. Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome is part of that committee.

There are seven changes proposed this year, as well as other bylaw alterations.

Perhaps the most noteworthy proposal came from the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are asking the competition committee to extend the postseason overtime rules to the regular season.

It’s particularly interesting considering the Steelers were beaten on that rule in last year’s playoffs. The playoff overtime rule went into effect last year, giving each team the opportunity to possess the ball unless the team who got it first scored a touchdown.

That’s exactly what happened to the Steelers. On the first play in overtime, Tim Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard touchdown, sending Pittsburgh home.

The two other more major changes include the use of instant replay.

One is that turnovers could fall under the replay official’s jurisdiction, meaning it could be automatically reviewed just like scoring plays. That could lead to more replays in general.

But another rule, proposed by Buffalo, would speed up the replay process. Under the new rule, the replay official in the booth would review replays and make decisions. That would eliminate the need for the referee to walk to the sideline and go under the hood. That is the process used in college football.

All teams’ owners will vote on the proposed changes next Wednesday, and they need a 75-percent majority to pass (24 of 32 owners in favor).

Other than protecting quarterbacks from horse-collar tackles, there were no other provisions to add to unnecessary roughness or roughing the passer penalties.

“I think we were pretty comfortable,” Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay said. “Quarterbacks, by rule, are very protected.”

McKay was also satisfied with last year’s rule change to move kickoffs up from the 40-yard line to the 35. He said concussions on kickoffs decreased by as much as 40 percent last year.

McKay said it did result in many more touchbacks, but the overall starting field position was not drastically altered and scoring was up. Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff finished tied for sixth in the league with 44 touchbacks.

“That was a rule change that was made for one reason only, and that was player safety,” McCay said. “I think it achieved its objective.”