NFL owners are meeting in Phoenix to discuss many items for the 2019 season, including 16 rules proposals, 6 bylaws changes, and 3 policy proposals. Football Zebras will be updating this post as information is reported on the status of individual agenda items. A brief summary of each is listed below, indicating the team that proposed it or “CC” for a Competition Committee proposal and the disposition of each proposal. In order to pass, a proposal needs a ¾-vote of all owners, or 24 voting in the affirmative (abstentions are essentially counted the same as “no” votes; in the unlikely event there are absentees, those teams are not counted at all).
Items that are tabled are deemed to not be passed, unless it is specifically tabled for consideration at the May spring meeting.
Updates and source information are posted below the lists. Full text of all proposals is here.
With Denver’s 4th and 15 kickoff proposal, could a team decide to punt the ball? With an average punt of around 45 yards last year, that would place the ball at the 20-yard line, which would be better defensively than a touchback. It removes the kicking team’s ability to recover and possess the ball, but could set up a dangerous situation for the offense if downed near the goal line.
Good question. No scrimmage kicks are allowed for the onside kick alternative. Also precludes a FG try if the kickoff line is moved up.
I predict the next step to eliminate the kickoff is to make 4th and 15 permanent on all kickoffs with a team option to punt the ball or run a play.