It’s Bill Belichick’s favourite time of year.
Not only does the New England Patriots football czar get to rapidly tinker with his roster, Belichick also gets to continue his role as annual supporter of rule changes at the NFL Annual Meeting, which takes place this weekend in Arizona. Hopefully, the NFL can finally determine what constitutes a catch.
Belichick had a handful of proposals to the NFL’s Competition Committee this year. According to NFL.com, there were a total of 23 rule changes (18 coming from the teams) and four bylaw changes that were proposed — and some were whacky.
Here are the eight best proposed rule changes:
1) Personal fouls become reviewable: This suggestion came from the Tennessee Titans and it’s a better alternative than Detroit’s option (see below). Teams already are given two challenge flags per game and a third if both of their challenges are successful. In this proposal, those challenges would be eligible to be used on personal fouls. This is appealing because personal foul penalties are based on discretion and they account for 15 yards. In a sport where field position and first downs are at a premium, these calls NEED to be made correctly. If not, the the outcome of the game can be affected. This past January’s Lions-Cowboys playoff game (or fiasco) is a perfect example why.
2) Both teams get a possession in overtime: The NFL has largely improved their overtime rules in recent years. But there are still flaws that could use some tweaking. The Chicago Bears presented a rule that would give each team a minimum of one possession in overtime. In the current system, if a team scored a touchdown on their opening possession of overtime, then the game is over. That doesn’t seem right. Too much is determined by a 50/50 coin flip and both teams deserve a chance to possess the ball.
3) Allow challenges in the last two minutes: Belichick proposed this rule and it makes a ton of sense. In the current rules, teams are ineligible to use their a challenge in the final two minutes of each half and in overtime. It’s hard to defend this rule. Why would you not be able to challenge a call at the most important junction of the game? It’s not a place of play issue either because any questionable decision can be reviewed by the booth.
4) Extra points move back: More from Belichick: He’s been a hard supporter that extra points have become too automatic, which wasn’t the intention of the original rule. His proposal has extra points going back to the 15-yard line, with two-point attempts staying at the two-yard line. He’s been asking for the last couple of the years. The NFL has tweaked with it during the pre-season but there are no indication that anything will immediately change.
5) Cameras on the field: The Patriots also proposed that fixed cameras are added on the goal lines, end lines, and sidelines in order to assist with replay review and the cameras provided by the broadcast teams. This sounds like a good idea in theory, but based on Belichick’s history with cameras (Spygate, anyone?), the Competition Committee may consider the source.
6) Nine-point play? Okay, here’s the whacky one. And we ranked it a bit higher than it should be based on sheer hilarity. While it’s completely illogical, this rule from the Indianapolis Colts is entertaining. The Colts are asking the league to consider a new scoring system that allows for a bonus extra point following a successful two-point conversion. Here’s the kicker (pun intended): the kick would come from 50 yards out. Good luck with all that…No way the Colts (sarcasm alert) would propose a rule that largely benefits offences.
7) All penalties are reviewable: This was predictably proposed by the Detroit Lions. Considering the screwjob they got in January, there’s no doubt that the Lions would like to see a better system in place when referees botch an important call. While this sounds all well and good and would largely improve the amount of human error in real time, it’s probably a tad unrealistic. If every penalty became reviewable, the pace of the game would potentially take a massive hit and could make it unwatchable. The NFL strongly believes in keeping their three-hour allotted TV times close to intact. In short, this is a long shot.
8) Changing the cut-down: This was a by-law proposal. In this scenario, the summertime roster cutdown from 90 to 75 players would be eliminated. Instead, teams would just go from 90 to 53 when they’re making their final roster cuts. While this could offer more of an opportunity to unheralded players or undrafted free agents more of a chance to show their skills, it really doesn’t accomplish that much. In fact, the early cutdown can give players an opportunity to catch on with other team. It’s already tough enough on coaches and locker rooms to cut over 20 players at the end of training camp. It’s hard to see how adding more cuts at one time makes things any better.
