Report: NFL dropping booth official proposal to aid calls in games

The NFL has tabled a proposal for a booth official who would aid calls by using a video feed, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.

The league competition committee said last month it supports studying ways to determine how officiating personnel who have access to a video feed could help on-field officials. A booth umpire would serve as an eighth game official. But when owners vote on rules proposals today, they instead will look at alternatives to a booth official, the person said on condition of anonymity because the league hasn’t announced the move. The alternatives will focus on preseason tests of expanding the authority of the current replay assistant as he communicates with on-field officials.

Also Wednesday, the NFL clarified a rules proposal for an alternative to an onside kick. The Philadelphia Eagles have proposed allowing one fourthand-15 scrimmage play from the 25-yard line of the team kicking off. It can only be done in regulation time, and be used twice. Should the team attempting the play succeed, it would keep the ball. If the defense is successful, its offense gets the ball at the spot where the play is blown dead. A regular onside kick would remain an option.

Team owners will discuss and possibly vote on the Eagles’ suggestion today. The idea is to virtually eliminate the onside kick that is considered more dangerous than most other football plays, while offering a substitute that could be exciting — and game-changing.