MAJOR NFL CHANGES, ONE FOR SURE, ONE PROPOSED, BUT NO MOVEMENT ON A NEW C.B.A.
The NFL owners meeting began yesterday in New Orleans & despite the 800-pound gorilla in the room, no collective bargaining agreement for 2011 & beyond, the competition committee has voted on two major changes. The committee voted unanimously to move the umpire from his position amongst the linebackers to the offensive backfield. Exactly where he will begin each play will be determined by the supervisor of officials. The referee is also in the offensive backfield, usually 8-10 yards behind the line of scrimmage to the quarterback's right side. I'm guessing the umpire's new position will be opposite the referee, to the quarterbacks left. For years, receivers have used the umpire to pick linebackers & defensive backs. Outgoing supervisor of officials, Mike Peiera, said the Patriots have been masters at using Wes Welker "underneath" the umpire, gaining separation. The umpire is also the most injured official's position on the field. Last season nine were hurt bad enough to miss at least one game & three required surgery. The change has already been approved by the committee & now only requires Commissioner Roger Goodell's O.K. & it becomes effective immediately.
The other rule change is for the overtime rules change. I told you about this effort about two weeks ago & I think it will pass. The competition committee voted 6-2 to put it to a vote of ownership. The new rule would significantly change overtime. No longer would winning the coin toss give one team a 64% chance to win the game. It would go as follows:
If the coin toss winner scores a touchdown on their first offensive drive, the game is over.
If the coin toss winner kicks a field goal, the game continues with the other team getting a possession.
If the coin toss loser scores a touchdown, the game is over. If they don't score at all, the game is over. If they kick a field goal, the game continues & the first team to score wins the game.
In other words, no more coin toss winners driving 40 yards & kicking the game-winning field goal, like we've seen over & over for years.
The other rule change is for the overtime rules change. I told you about this effort about two weeks ago & I think it will pass. The competition committee voted 6-2 to put it to a vote of ownership. The new rule would significantly change overtime. No longer would winning the coin toss give one team a 64% chance to win the game. It would go as follows:
If the coin toss winner scores a touchdown on their first offensive drive, the game is over.
If the coin toss winner kicks a field goal, the game continues with the other team getting a possession.
If the coin toss loser scores a touchdown, the game is over. If they don't score at all, the game is over. If they kick a field goal, the game continues & the first team to score wins the game.
In other words, no more coin toss winners driving 40 yards & kicking the game-winning field goal, like we've seen over & over for years.
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