Lions ask NFL to approve challenges of personal foul penalties on field
Dave Birkett
When NFL owners get together later this month to discuss rules proposals, several of the changes they will be considering will have a distinct Detroit Lions feel.
The Lions submitted three of the nine playing rules proposals on the ballot at the NFL's annual spring meeting, and one of the two bylaw proposals up for consideration.
The proposals relate to expanding instant replay, what coaches can challenge and teams' game day rosters. The Lions are asking NFL owners to:
Allow clubs to designate and use an emergency third quarterback from its inactive list or practice squad in the event its first two quarterbacks are ruled out during a game because of injury.
Permit coaches to challenge personal fouls that are called on the field.
Grant teams a third challenge when one of their first two challenges is successful (instead of both).
And allow replay officials to consult with on-field officials about penalties.
The playing rules proposals were submitted to better balance competitive equity and to ensure the integrity of the game.
The Lions finished 9-8 last season, their first winning record in five years, but missed the playoffs after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams in controversial fashion in Week 18.
The Seahawks tied that game with a 16-play, fourth-quarter drive that was kept alive by a questionable running-into-the-kicker penalty. Two series later, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey was called for unnecessary roughness. Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf retaliated by poking his hand into Ramsey's face but was not penalized, and Seattle missed the game-winning kick at the end of regulation.
In overtime, Seahawks safety and ex-Lion Quandre Diggs intercepted a Baker Mayfield pass to set up the winning field goal and was not penalized after he taunted the Rams sideline following the pick.
Had the Rams beat the Seahawks, the Lions, who privately expressed frustration at officiating in the game, would have earned the NFC's final wild card spot after they beat the Green Bay Packers in Week 18's Sunday night game.
The Lions also are one of 25 teams asking the NFL to go to one preseason cut, from 90 to 53 players following the third preseason game. Currently, teams reduce their rosters from 90 to 85, then 80 players before cutting to 53.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets and Houston Texans also made playing rules proposals that will be voted on in Arizona later this month.
The proposals range from replacing an onside kick attempt with a fourth-and-20 conversion try, to allowing instant replay or a coach's challenge for roughing the passer penalties.
To pass, any rules proposal requires approval by 24 of the league's 32 teams.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@ freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.