PLAYER HEALTH AND SAFETY PROPOSALS
The following are proposals for player health and safety rules and bylaws changes that will be considered by the owners at next week's Annual League Meeting in Orlando:
PLAYING RULE PROPOSALS
KICKOFF LINE
Proposal: Would move the kickoff line to the kicking team's 40-yard line.
Proposed by:Washington Redskins.
Purpose: To cut down on injuries during special teams play.
PRESEASON OVERTIMES
Proposal: To eliminate overtime periods from preseason games that are tied after regulation time.
Proposed by:Washington Redskins.
Purpose: To take away possible excessive opportunities for injuries during exhibition games.
EXPANSION OF CLIPPING PENALTY
Proposal: Would expand the penalty for clipping from offensive player rolling up on the back of defender's legs to also penalize rolling up on the side of the defender's legs.
Proposed by: Competition Committee.
Purpose: To make the game safer for defenders, who have seen more blindside low blocks that were previously legal.
EXPANSION OF REPLAY REVIEW
Proposal: Would involve NFL Command Center in decisions of replay reviews.
Proposed by: Competition Committee.
Purpose: To add more consistency in officiating, especially in player safety calls; it also is expected to shorten time for video reviews.
ELIMINATION OF CLOCK STOPPAGE ON SACKS
Proposal: Would discontinue the stopping of the play clock after a quarterback is sacked.
Proposed by: Competition Committee.
Purpose: For consistency in clock management by referees.
BYLAW PROPOSALS
INCREASING ACTIVE PLAYERS LIST
Proposal: Would increase the number of players on the active roster for each game from 46 to 49.
Proposed by:Washington Redskins.
Purpose: To allow for more substitutions and greater flexibility for player safety, especially on Thursday night games when players have had four days to heal from Sunday's games.
EXPANDING PRACTICE SQUAD
Proposal: Would increase the number of players on the practice squad from eight to 10.
Proposed by:Washington Redskins.
Purpose: To allow for greater flexibility for rosters, thus adding player safety buffers.
ELIMINATING FIRST CUTDOWN DAY
Proposal: Would eliminate the cutdown day to 75 players that normally occurs after the third preseason game, creating only one mandatory cutdown day to 53 after the final preseason game.
Proposed by:Washington Redskins.
Purpose: To provide more development for players and add buffer for player safety during training camp.
-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor