Owners revamp video replay for officiating
One day after approving the Oakland Raiders’ move to Las Vegas, NFL owners at league meetings in Phoenix got busy passing several rules changes and adopting resolutions they believe will speed the game and enhance player safety.
Most notable was the change in handling video replays. Referees will now watch replays on the field using tablets, eliminating “going under the hood” to the watch on television monitors.
League officiating chief Dean Blandino and his staff in New York will make the final decisions on those calls, with input from the referee, who in the past was the ultimate arbiter after consulting with league headquarters.
“And I think that’s important to remember, we’re not taking the referee out of the equation,” Blandino said. “The referee will still be involved, the referee will still give input, but will no longer have the final say.”
Also, owners extended bringing touchbacks out to the 25-yard line for another year; eliminating “leapers” trying to block field goals or extra points; added protections for defenseless receivers running routes; and made permanent the rule disqualifying a player who is penalized twice in a game for specific unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.
The leaper rule falls under the category of enhancing player safety.
Other actions taken included:
Crackback blocks by a backfield player who goes in motion are now banned.
Creating an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for committing multiple fouls during the same down with the purpose of manipulating the game clock.
Allowing teams to interview or hire an employee of another team during the season if the other team consents.
Modified some bylaws regarding bringing draft-eligible players to clubs’ facilities; changed procedures for returning a player to the active ranks from lists such as physically unable to perform, non-football injury or non-football illness.
Owners also were considering whether to allow players and coaches to use the Microsoft Surface tablets for video on the sidelines. They are limited to still photos now; eliminating the summer cutdown to 75 players, making for one cut at the end of the preseason; allowing unlimited coaches’ challenges and expanding what calls can be challenged; and reducing the length of overtime games from 15 minutes to 10 during the regular season.
Browns won’t deal
Browns coach Hue Jackson ruled out trading the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft for a veteran quarterback, like Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo, but left the door open for moving down the board from the top spot.
It’s not a door Jackson wants to walk through, however, because he believes the Browns ought to stay put at No. 1 and pick a special player. Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett is widely expected to be the top choice.
Jackson made it clear he hopes the Browns could still trade for a veteran QB like Garoppolo or Cincinnati backup AJ McCarron. But the coach insisted the Browns wouldn’t surrender the No. 1 pick, though he also spoke as if the team would give up their other first-round pick, No. 12 overall, for a quarterback.
The Browns also resigned defensive lineman Jamie Meder, who blocked a field goal to give the team its only win last season.
Long now an Eagle
The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a twoyear contract with defensive end Chris Long, who won a Super Bowl last season with the Patriots. A No. 2 overall draft pick by the Rams in 2008, Long spent eight seasons with St. Louis before he joined the Patriots in 2016. Long had four sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 16 games last season and was an integral part of a defense that allowed an NFL-low 250 points. . . .
Dallas tight end Jason Witten signed a four-year contract extension that virtually guarantees the 14-year veteran will spend his entire career with the Cowboys. The deal runs through 2021 and leaves the final year of the two-time All Pro’s current contract intact. Witten, a 10-time Pro Bowler who turns 35 in May, is one of two tight ends in NFL history with at least 1,000 catches and 10,000 yards receiving. The other is Tony Gonzalez, who retired in 2013. . . .
The New York Jets signed former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison. Harrison is expected to add depth on the Jets’ offensive line.