Teams propose series of new rules

NFL teams proposed major changes to replay and overtime Saturday after a season of consistent criticism of officiating and which plays can be challenged or automatically reviewed.

Among the proposals teams have made to the league’s competition committee are an increase in the number of plays subject to video replay review and a change to the overtime format.

The idea of more or even unlimited coaches’ challenges is not new, but could have stronger support now. Also, the league is reluctant to expand replays for officiating because it would slow games even further.

The competition committee will present teams’ proposals and some of its own to the 32 owners at the league meetings March 24-27.

Washington wants any play to be subject to coaches’ challenges or to automatic review by the officiating department in New York. The Redskins also suggested that all personal fouls be subject to review, while Kansas City added potential personal fouls that were not called on the field be looked at.

Philadelphia seeks scoring plays and turnovers negated by a penalty be immediately reviewed, and Denver suggests adding all fourth-down plays that are spotted short of a first down or the goal line, and all extra-point tries.

The Rams, Panthers, Seahawks and Eagles want to include reviews of designated player safety-related fouls whether called or not on the field.

Kansas City proposes that both teams possess the ball at least one time in overtime even if the first team with the ball scores a touchdown.

Chiefs: Agreed to a oneyear deal with Carlos Hyde, giving them another veteran running back in their thin backfield. The 28-year-old Hyde was released by the Jaguars on Friday.

Chargers: Agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with linebacker Denzel Perryman. The four-year veteran has been an effective force in the middle of the defense when healthy. Injuries have limited him to 16 games the past two seasons.

ODDS AND ENDS

Auto racing: Team Penske is out front again with a front-row sweep in qualifying for IndyCar’s season opening race on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. Will Power won the pole Saturday for the eighth time at St. Pete and 55th time in his career, second on the all-time list behind Mario Andretti. Josef Newgarden qualified second to make it a Penske front row for today’s race.

The second row belongs to Chip Ganassi Racing. Felix Rosenqvist will start third in his IndyCar debut alongside reigning series champion Scott Dixon.

Penske driver Ryan Blaney is on the pole in Phoenix for today’s NASCAR race, and Penske drivers have won the last two Cup events.

Tennis: Serena Williams met Victoria Azarenka in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open, but it seemed more like a final. Each a two-time winner at the Indian Wells event, Williams edged her friend and rival 7-5, 6-3 on Friday night in a display of fierce forehands and shot-making.

Williams will face No. 20 Garbine Muguruza in the next round.

Earlier, Sloane Stephens lost to Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 6-3, 6-0 in just more than an hour.

Horse racing: Santa Anita will impose new rules to scrutinize horse training on its racetrack and add a director of equine welfare following the deaths of 21 horses since Dec. 26. The main dirt track and turf courses were in a third day of examination Saturday in an effort to uncover what may have led to the series of catastrophic breakdowns. The racetrack remains closed indefinitely for racing.