Catch rule tops list of proposals for owners
Warrant issued for Michael Bennett; former Dolphins owner Huizenga dies
NFL owners will be presented 10 rules proposals at their meetings next week, including changes to the catch rule and to the length of defensive pass interference penalties, and allowing personal fouls to be reviewed by instant replay.
The competition committee and several teams are bringing the proposals, which will be reviewed by owners beginning Monday in Orlando.
Other suggestions include making permanent spotting the ball at the 25-yard line following a kickoff; adding fouls for roughing the passer and penalties against players in a defenseless posture as reviewable in instant replay; designating a member of the officiating staff at New York headquarters to instruct on-field game officials to eject a player for a flagrant non-football act that drew a flag; and limiting the allowable time for a coach to throw a challenge flag.
Included in a dozen bylaw proposals is allowing a player on injured reserve to be traded, and schedule adjustments for western teams playing in the East.
Redefining the catch rule is the highest priority, according to Troy Vincent, the NFL's football operations chief, and Rich McKay, who chairs the powerful competition committee.
“We tried to simplify the rule with a three-step process,” McKay said Friday. “Control, two feet down or a body part, and then anything that is a football act. It could be like Jesse James reaching for the goal line .”
The Steelers tight end had a likely winning touchdown catch overturned against New England, one of the most critical plays of last season. In 2018, if the new definition of a catch is passed, it would be a touchdown.
“We got rid ofg`oing to the ground,' which was definitely causing some issues on these calls,” McKay added of the process of completing a catch that has caused so much consternation.
Equally controversial has been the defensive pass interference call. The Jets are proposing a change from a spot foul to a 15-yard penalty — unless the foul is determined by officials to be intentional and egregious. That suggestion drew plenty of discussion among competition committee members; both Vincent and McKay said it had “momentum” heading into the owners meetings.
Allowing officiating director Al Riveron or designated staff members at New York headquarters to call for an ejection of a player is a proposal emanating from committee meetings with game officials. Also proposed: If a team opens overtime with a field goal, then gets a turnover on the opponent's next possession, that play will be run to conclusion. Previously, if the team that kicked the field goal fumbled the ball and it was run back for a touchdown by the opponent, that TD wouldn't count because of a change of possession. Now, it would count.
Such a situation has never occurred since the rule change allowing each team an OT series.
Owners will be asked to approve allowing video use on sideline and coaches' box tablets. Now, only photos Monday-Wednesday: Annual league meeting, Orlando, Fla. April 2: Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2017 regular season may begin offseason workouts. April 16: Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs. April 20: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. April 26-28: NFL draft, Arlington, Texas. May 21-23: Spring league meeting, Atlanta. can be examined.
Coaches will have a set amount of time during a commercial break to throw a challenge flag.
Extra points need not be converted at the end of regulation after a team scores the winning touchdown.
Teams seeking head coaches after the season be allowed to negotiate and sign a contract, though the coach would still be prohibited from doing any work for his new team until his club is done in the postseason. Warrant issued for Bennett: Authorities issued a warrant Friday for the arrest of Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Bennett, accused of injuring a paraplegic woman as he tried get onto the field at last year's Super Bowl to celebrate with his brother.
The Harris County district attorney's office said the warrant was issued after a grand jury indicted Bennett on a felony count of injury to the elderly.
Bennett was a spectator at the game at NRG Stadium in Houston in February 2017 when he tried to get onto the field immediately afterward to see his brother, Martellus Bennett, a tight end for the Patriots at the time, officials said in a statement. Prosecutors allege he pushed through security personnel, including a 66-year-old disabled woman who had told him to use a different entrance to access the field.
The charge of injury to the elderly can be filed if a person intentionally or knowingly causes injury to a person 65 or older. It carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Harris County authorities say they're talking with Bennett's legal team about surrendering on the charge.
The Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month acquired Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks, where he became one of the dominant defensive linemen in the game. Former Dolphins owner dies: H. Wayne Huizenga, a college dropout who built a business empire that included Blockbuster Entertainment, AutoNation and three professional sports franchises, has died. He was 80.
Huizenga (HY'-zing-ah) died Thursday night at his home, said Valerie Hinkell, a longtime assistant. The cause was cancer, said Bob Henninger, executive vice president of Huizenga Holdings.
Huizenga was founding owner of baseball's Florida Marlins and the NHL Florida Panthers — expansion teams that played their first games in 1993. He bought the NFL Miami Dolphins and their stadium for $168 million in 1994 from the children of founder Joe Robbie but had sold all three teams by 2009.