Owners revamp video replay for officiating

One of the most notable changes at Tuesday’s NFL owners meetings was the change in handling officiating of video replays. Referees will now watch replays on the field using Surface tablets.

One day after approving the Oakland Raiders’ move to Las Vegas, NFL owners got busy passing several rules changes and adopting resolutions they believe will speed the game and enhance player safety.

Most notable Tuesday in Phoenix was the change in handling officiating of video replays. Referees will now watch replays on the field using Surface tablets, eliminating “going under the hood” to 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 has said. “The referee will still be involved, the referee will still give input, but will no longer have the final say.”

Also at the league meetings 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 their routes; and made permanent the rule disqualifying a player who is penalized twice in a game for specific unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

A proposal to cut overtime in the regular season from 15 minutes to 10 was tabled for more study and likely will be brought back at the May meetings in Chicago. Also tabled was eliminating the mandatory summer cutdown to 75 players, which would leave only one cut at the end of preseason.

Voted down were suggestions to permit coaches to challenge any officials’ decisions other than scoring plays and turnovers, which automatically are reviewed.

Washington’s proposal to move the line of scrimmage to the 20-yard line instead of the 25 if a kickoff is sent through the uprights was defeated.

Jets sign Harrison

The New York Jets have signed former Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison.

Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

Harrison was not tendered a restricted free agent contract by the Colts earlier this month, making him an unrestricted free agent.

He is expected to add depth on the Jets’ offensive line and possibly compete at center with Wesley Johnson, who has not yet signed his restricted free agent tender. The versatile Harrison played in 13 games last season, including four starts at left guard, but has also played at every spot on the offensive line.

Harrison was signed by Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2014.

Witten extension

Dallas tight end Jason Witten has signed a fouryear contract extension that virtually guarantees the 14year veteran will spend his entire career with the Cowboys.

The deal Witten signed runs through 2021 and leaves the final year of the two-time All Pro’s current contract intact. The extension has a maximum value of $29 million with no new guaranteed money and gives the Cowboys the flexibility to restructure and create about $4 million in salary cap space.

Witten, 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 after 17 seasons.

A 10-time Pro Bowl player, Witten is Dallas’ franchise leader with 1,089 catches and needs 17 yards to break Hall of Famer Michael Irvin’s mark of 11,904 career yards.

Eagles sign Long

The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms on a twoyear contract with defensive end Chris Long, who won a Super Bowl last season with New England.

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 has 342 tackles, 58 ½ sacks, nine forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 130 games.

He had four sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 16 games for New England and was an integral part of a defense that allowed an NFLlow 250 points.

Silverdome demolition

The former home of the Detroit Lions will be demolished.

A judge approved a deal between the city of Pontiac and the owner of the Pontiac Silverdome to get rid of the stadium. The Detroit Free Press says Triple Investment Group has until June 9 to apply for a permit and announce the date of destruction.

Pontiac Mayor Deirdre Waterman says it’s possible that implosion will be part of the strategy to bring down the Silverdome. The Lions played in Pontiac in suburban Detroit from 1975 through 2001.

It was also the home of the NBA’s Detroit Pistons and hosted the Super Bowl in 1982.

The enormous parking lot lately has been used to store Volkswagen cars related to the company’s emissions scandal.