Significant changes to the use of video replay, including reviewing all fouls called by game officials, and a rule change that would allow teams to try for a "bonus" point after a successful 2-point conversion are "among proposals that will be presented by the NFL's competition committee at next week's owners meetings in Phoenix," according to ESPN.com. The committee yesterday "outlined 23 proposed changes to rules and procedures, which will be discussed and voted on at next week's meetings." Nineteen of the proposed rules changes "were submitted by teams, with the other four proposed by the competition committee" (ESPN.com, 3/18). In New Orleans, Evan Woodberry noted the Colts "want to make a touchdown worth as much as nine points," but the proposal they made "was not endorsed by the league's competition committee, and it has almost no chance of passing next week." The proposal states that "after a touchdown (six points), a team can choose a traditional extra point kick (1 point) or try a two-point conversion (two points)." If they "succeed on a two-point attempt, they would be given a chance to kick a 50-yard field goal for a bonus point." The committee yesterday seemed "very cool to the idea on a teleconference with media," but the proposal "is still on the agenda ... because it has the backing of a team" (NOLA.com, 3/18). Falcons President & CEO and Competition Committee Chair Rich McKay said that that Colts' proposal is the "first of its kind relating to a significant change in scoring rules." But in Phoenix, Bob McManaman notes it is "doubtful the proposal will be adopted" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 3/19).
AFTER FURTHER REVIEW: In Detroit, Josh Katzenstein notes Lions GM Martin Mayhew "does not expect his proposal to expand replay reviews to penalties to be added to the rulebook" next week at the owners meetings. Mayhew and the Lions "proposed a rule change that would allow teams to challenge any play in which a penalty flag is thrown." The proposal "made it to the voting process for next week's meetings along with 12 others related to instant replay, and while Mayhew thinks interest is strong in updating those rules, he thinks there are still more steps to take before the league's competition committee makes any changes" (DETROIT NEWS, 3/19).
STAYING THE SAME: NFL.com's Albert Breer noted that playoff expansion "will be discussed by ownership, but no vote is scheduled." As the release of the '15 schedule gets closer, it "becomes less likely that playoff expansion could happen" this year (NFL.com, 3/18).
