Competition Committee aims at Tuck Rule, 3 player-safety initiatives

The NFL Competition Committee, chaired by Falcons general manager Rich McKay, announced their proposed rule changes for 2013. All proposals require a two-thirds vote of the ownership at next week’s annual meeting.

1a. For instant replay, the red-flag challenge rule would be removed. Any coach who throws a red flag would be assessed a timeout, and would only get the timeout back if a challenge is successful. By challenging when a coach is not permitted to do so would forfeit the timeout, but the play could still be reviewed by the replay official. A team that is out of timeouts is assessed a 15-yard penalty.

1b. Incomplete passes can be overturned to a fumble with a defensive recovery. Previously, this was considered two separate acts and not allowable for review. The new rule proposal matches the ruling if the quarterback botches a pass and is ruled incomplete, but overturned to fumble and recovery.

2. Field goal and extra-point formations would be no more than six defensive players lined up on either side of the snapper. The snapper is also considered to be in a defenseless posture.

3. Proposed removal of the Tuck Rule. The act of tucking ends the initiation of a pass.

4. Tight ends and H-backs would be allowed to wear numbers 40-49, alleviating the crunch for numbers in the 80s.

5. The “peel-back” block exceptions for players inside the tackle box would be removed.

6. A runner who leads with the crown of the helmet when outside the tackle box would be subject to a 15-yard penalty. This could be offsetting fouls if the defense also leads with the crown.

More on these proposals with the exact rewording of the rules will be posted later tonight.