PHOENIX – The NFL, which is known for taking its time when looking at rule changes, is likely to go into overtime when it talks about adjusting its overtime format.
A proposal to change from a sudden-death format to one in which each team would get a possession in overtime will be made when the annual league meeting starts Monday at the Arizona Biltmore. But don’t count on quick decisions on that are any of the several other proposed rule changes.
The current overtime format began in 1974. In the 10 seasons before 1974, 78 games ended in ties. In the 10 years after the current system was introduced, there were only seven ties.
“There’s concern that we don’t want to get back to a system that creates more ties,” McKay said.
Owners, coaches and general managers also will discuss proposals to expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 teams and to alter the replay challenge system.
McKay said the committee isn’t likely to recommend an expanded playoff format yet. That concept was discussed two years ago and rejected because the league wanted to see how the realignment that went into effect last year worked out. McKay said the committee wants one more season with the current format to see if any inequities surface from the new division formats.
McKay said the committee opposes a proposal that would change the current replay challenge system. The proposal would allow a team making a successful challenge to keep that challenge. McKay said the committee is hesitant to make any changes because the 2003 season is the final for the current replay structure.
Other matters to be discussed include minority coaches hiring and host sites for future Super Bowls. League spokesman Joe Browne said it’s unlikely any Super Bowls will be awarded at this meeting. The next available Super Bowl is 2007 and Browne said the league is leaning toward awarding that to a warm-weather venue, most likely Miami or Tampa.
Notes
The Carolina Panthers have set their schedule for the next few months. They’ll hold a minicamp May 2, 3 and 4. They also will hold three weeks of team workouts that start May 27 and finish June12. Training camp in Spartanburg starts July 26, with players reporting July 25.
Although the signing bonus on Ricky Proehl’s three-year, $3 million contract was widely reported to be $200,000, the official amount reported to the league was $250,000.
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AP-NY-03-22-03 1932EST
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