Ineligible receiver reforms

PHOENIX — It’s too late to help the Ravens, but NFL owners outlawed the funky formations the Patriots used to help beat Baltimore in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Bill Belichick took advantage of the loophole by having a player wearing an eligible number (1-49 or 80-89) report as ineligible and line up in the slot. Then, a player who appeared ineligible was actually eligible. Shane Vereen, signed by the Giants two weeks ago, reported as ineligible and lined up wide. The formation confused the Ravens because they didn’t have time to adjust after Vereen reported ineligible.

The Patriots used the formation three times on a key third-quarter touchdown drive in their 35-31 victory. Tom Brady completed all three passes for 41 yards.

The new rule requires any player who reports as ineligible, regardless of the number, to line up in the tackle box. If he lines up outside the tackle box, it will be declared an illegal substitution and the offense will be penalized.

EXTRA CREDIT

The Competition Committee has been asked to come up with a rulechange proposal on the extra point for owners to vote on at the San Francisco meetings in May. It’s possible the two-point conversion will be moved in a half-yard from the two-yard line, but if teams want to kick for the one point, it will be from the 15-yard line, making it a 33-yard kick. . . . When Adrian Peterson won his appeal and had his suspension lifted, Roger Goodell placed him back on the commissioner’s exempt list. Goodell said he will stick with the April 15 timetable to make a ruling on Peterson. “We’re going to continue the evaluation,” he said. “I will expect to meet with Adrian before we make a final determination on his status.”. . . Goodell was asked about Ted Wells’ report on Deflate-Gate, which has been going on for two months. “We have not put a timeframe on Ted Wells,” Goodell said. “We’ve asked him to be thorough, complete and when he’s finished, then he’ll give it to us and to the public in general.” . . . Goodell recently met with Florida State QB Jameis Winston, the likely No. 1 pick in the April 30 draft in Chicago. He said Winston made the decision not to attend the draft, but he’s fine with it.