• With the owners meetings just a few days away now, it’s rules proposals time. So I’ll give you my take on these changes, and also what I think might actually happen …
Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the tush push:I’ve gone on record on this—I really don’t like the idea of banning a play because a particular team (Philadelphia Eagles) is simply better at it than everyone else. And I have a hard time seeing 24 teams voting (any rule change must be approved by 24 of 32 owners) this one through for that reason.
Detroit Lions’ proposal to eliminate the automatic first down from defensive holding and illegal contact penalties:I’m not wild about this one because of the unintended consequences that could come: A defensive backs coach teaching his corner to tackle a receiver if he gets beat off the line or shove a guy off a double move. You could have a second penalty for something intentional, but then you’re legislating intent. I just don’t think this is enough of a problem as it stands to open that can of worms.
Eagles’ proposal to bring playoff overtime to the regular season:I like it, personally, and believe it produces a fairer result—though I still like the idea of a whole 10- or 15-minute overtime best. Do I think it’ll pass? I wonder if the networks would push back on it because of the desire to keep games in their broadcast windows. So I’d lean that the owners vote no.
Pittsburgh Steelers’ proposal to allow contact between players and teams during the negotiating period:As it stands, during the 52-hour “legal-tampering” window, only agents can communicate with teams. Pittsburgh’s proposal would allow teams to conduct a zoom with a player for an hour and make travel arrangements after agreeing to terms ahead of the start of the league year. I don’t know what the argument against it would even be. The proposal should be voted through with no objection. I think it passes.
After that, there are two other proposals: one to allow teams to prepare K-balls for the kickers ahead of gameday and another to allow for teams in the playoff race to live scout other prospective postseason teams in Weeks 17 and 18. These likely will pass, too, almost as a matter of procedure.
We’ll have a ton more on all this next week from Florida.
