National Football League team owners will consider 23 potential rule changes for next season at their meeting next week in Phoenix, one that could yield nine points from touchdown plays.
That radical proposal at the annual owners gathering starting Sunday was made by the Indianapolis Colts, who tout the idea as a way to entice more teams to attempt two-point run or pass conversions rather than kick for a single point after scoring six points on a touchdown.
The Colts want teams who make a successful two-point conversion to then have a chance to make a 50-yard kick for another point, nine in all, which could keep trailing teams within reach longer, adding drama in games and tension for teams ahead by fewer than 10 points.
Convincing owners to back such a change might be difficult, but several other ideas up for consideration, according to a posting on the NFL website, could garner significant support, including expanded use of television instant replay to challenge officials' on-field calls and even the expiration of play clocks between snaps of the ball.
One idea would allow any referee call to be challenged by a coach, while another would limit extra challenges to personal fouls. Another would require a coach to call a timeout to challenge a decision, with the team regaining the timeout only if the on-field call is overturned.
The reigning Super Bowl champion New England Patriots want some rule tweaks as well, including allowing coaches to challenge calls in the final two minutes of a half or overtime, something now handled only by the review official.
They also will ask for fixed cameras along the sidelines, goal lines and back lines of the end zone in addition to those used by television networks for game coverage.
And another Patriots pitch would move back one-point conversion kicks to the 15-yard line to increase the difficulty of a play that has become all-but automatic, although two-point run and pass attempts would remain at the two-yard line.
The Chicago Bears will suggest that each team be ensured of a possession in over-time, eliminating the sudden death aspect now in place for a team that scores a touchdown on the opening possession of over-time.
Owners also figure to consider potential expansion of the number of teams that qualify for the playoffs and language on what is needed to constitute a successful pass reception.
Pre-game control of footballs, an issue in the playoffs this year with New England accused of using under-inflated ball for a competitive edge, is not a topic while the league awaits the results of an investigation on the matter.
Share
