More details regarding the proposed changes to the instant replay system, which NFL owners will be voting on this week, have emerged. This time, they're coming directly from the NFL.
Rich McKay, the chairman of the competition committee, spoke with USA Today on Saturday and shed some light on the proposal the committee will be presenting to owners in Charlotte on Tuesday. Apparently, the committee isn't looking to simply tweak the rule -- it's looking to completely change the way in which we talk about reviewable plays.
Instead of having a list of plays that are reviewable, the committee wants to use a list of plays that aren't reviewable, as a way to simplify the process.
"This is a step towards that," McKay told USA Today. "What's happened is there have been so many rules added over the years as situations have come up, the rulebook has become cumbersome. We're addressing that."
If this sounds familiar, it's because it should. Earlier this offseason, the Ravens submitted a similar proposal. They wanted to give coaches an additional challenge and make every play reviewable, except the following plays (via the Baltimore Sun):
- Offensive and defensive holding
- Offensive and defensive pass interference
- Illegal contact
- Illegal use of hands
- Whether a forward passer, defenseless receiver or kicker has been forcibly contacted
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
"Our rule is just a simplification," said head coach John Harbaugh at the time, per the Baltimore Sun. "It makes it easier for the fans. It makes it easier for the officials, for the coaches. Instead of 33 definitions and notes, there are eight. We're saying what's not reviewable, and what's not reviewable are the judgment calls."
Under the committee's proposal, all penalties still won't be reviewable. And they won't give coaches a third challenge. So, the Ravens won't be getting everything they wanted above. Still, while speaking with USA Today, McKay admitted the Ravens should be credited.
"They pushed it in the right direction, no question," McKay said. "I give coach (John) Harbaugh a lot of credit."
As the Washington Post reported last week, another aspect of the proposal is allowing officials to communicate with the league office during reviews, though communication would be limited to administrative issues -- like down and distance, game clock matters, and penalty enforcement. The NFL allowed enhanced communication during the playoffs and the committee wants to expand it to the regular season.
The proposal will need 24 of 32 votes to pass.
