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SPORTS Saturday 23 March 2019

Review of penalty calls on table when NFL owners meet

tions on some of the issues.” getting a possession — sug-
Proposals also on the agen- gest that the team winning
da for owners to consider the coin toss to start the
beginning Monday: game get the choice for
—Amending the over- overtime, and an elimina-
time structure so that both tion of the extra period in
teams get a possession the preseason.
even if the first series ends —Allowing teams to elect
in a touchdown. Currently, to enforce on an extra
a TD on the opening pos- point or on the succeeding
session ends the game. kickoff an opponent’s per-
Also, the Chiefs — who lost sonal or unsportsmanlike
to New England in OT in conduct foul committed
the AFC title game without during a touchdown.q

In this Jan. 20, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Rams’ Nickell Robey-Coleman breaks up a pass
intended for New Orleans Saints’ Tommylee Lewis during the second half of the NFL football NFC
championship game in New Orleans.
Associated Press
By BARRY WILNER divided, people have very Redskins also want to add
AP Pro Football Writer strong views on replay,” reviews of personal fouls.
Reviewing penalty calls, in- Rich McKay, president of So those alterations also
cluding pass interference, the Atlanta Falcons and would apply to the Rams-
will be among proposals co-chairman of the com- Saints play.
NFL owners will hear to ex- petition committee, said Philadelphia suggested
pand replay when they Friday. “We wanted to get adding scoring plays and
meet next week in Phoenix. proposals that we worked turnovers negated by a
Greater use of replay has on a lot based on data foul as subject to auto-
become a scorching topic and based on a system matic review, no challenge
since the NFC champion- we could be comfortable needed. Denver proposed
ship game, when a non- around. We know how all fourth-down plays that
call on a blatant pass inter- tough replay is to get 24 are spotted short of the first-
ference and helmet-to-hel- votes for a league that down marker be subject to
met hit by Rams defensive from 1992-98 didn’t have automatic review, and also
back Nickell Robey-Cole- replay.” all extra-point attempts.
man likely cost the Saints a For any rule change, three- The Panthers, Rams, Eagles
Super Bowl trip. That type quarters of NFL teams must and Seahawks want to
of non-call would not be vote yes. add review of designat-
subject to review under “We welcome the discus- ed player safety-related
the league’s competition sion, and we feel like this is fouls whether called or not
committee’s proposal, a good way to expand it,” called on the field to what
however. The committee McKay added. “We have coaches can challenge.
will present one proposal data that shows these are This also could be applied
to make reviewable pass the most impactful plays, to the Robey-Coleman hit.
interference that has been and the ones we can NFL operations chief Troy
called, plus looking at all change.” Vincent, a star defensive
scoring plays and turnovers Several teams also made back when he played, said
negated by penalty. In a replay proposals, includ- the committee met with
second recommendation, ing one by Kansas City that everyone involved in such
pass interference and fouls would address what hap- calls: players, coaches, offi-
for roughing the passer pened in the Rams-Saints cials, team owners, admin-
and unnecessary contact title game. The Chiefs are istrators.
against a defenseless play- proposing potential per- “Officials have to live this
er would be reviewable as sonal fouls not called on out in real time,” Vincent
long as they are flagged. the field be reviewed af- explained. “This was about
Both would be one-year tri- ter a coach’s challenge. working to keep a system in
als. Robey-Coleman’s helmet place from a mechanical
But members of the power- hit would have fallen in that administration standpoint
ful competition committee category. on game day, and the flow
that reviews the rulebook Washington suggested (of the game). The officials
each year don’t sense making all plays challenge- felt just expanding the cur-
strong support for a major able by coaches or review- rent replay process, what is
expansion of replay. able by the officiating de- reviewable, that this is the
“They are always sharply partment in New York. The best start for possible solu-