Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 29, 1994 TAG: 9401290090
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ATLANTA LENGTH: Medium
Criticized this season for boring games often decided by field goals, the league is ready for some radical changes.
Hold on to your chin straps, because here's what NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has in mind:
Adding the two-point conversion.
Basing the point value of a field goal on the length of the kick.
Tightening the illegal-contact rule and allowing receivers to run pass routes unimpeded.
Moving the defensive line a yard off the ball.
Those are the most notable proposals, and there are strong indications that some of those, particularly the two-point conversion, could win the owners' approval at the league's meetings March 20-26 in Orlando, Fla.
"The idea is to de-emphasize field goals and re-emphasize touchdowns," Tagliabue said Friday at his annual pre-Super Bowl news conference. "People are now seeing that this is more than a gimmick. We're going to have a fresh analysis of it."
Tagliabue also said there's a league-wide feeling the pendulum has swung too far in favor of defenses. He said New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, Denver safety Steve Atwater and Atlanta cornerback Deion Sanders are players who have changed the game.
"The speed, size and greatness of these athletes have forced changes in the game," Tagliabue said. "Defensive backs are becoming bigger than the receivers. There's a feeling it might be too much of an advantage."
With more former college head coaches now in the NFL - Jimmy Johnson (Dallas), Bobby Ross (San Diego) and Dennis Green (Minnesota) - the league's competition committee has heard firsthand how the two-point conversion could add some zip to the game.
"I think it would add an element of both excitement and strategy," Johnson said recently. "There's nothing more boring in the NFL then the extra point."
Said Green: "It brings out the aggressive, go-for-it attitude that some of the coaches have."
The change would be dramatic by NFL standards. For example, a team trailing 21-6 could win the game with two possessions - two touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions - instead of three.
By tightening the illegal-contact rule, which allows defenders to bump receivers within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, pass-catchers would have an easier time getting open. Another possibility is allowing defenders to bump receivers only within 2 yards of the line.
The line-of-scrimmage change would move defenders off the ball and give an offense more room to set up.
The most intriguing aspect of the possible changes involves the field goal, which was kicked in record numbers during the regular season - 673 of 879 (76.6 percent).
Tagliabue said field goals would be worth one, two or three points, depending on the length of the kick. He said there are two possible scenarios being discussed: increasing or decreasing the value based on distance.
"Do you want to reward the long kick, or do you want to reward the team that moves the ball?" Tagliabue said.
He said a field goal could be worth one point from less than 20 yards, two points from 20 to 40 yards and three points from farther than 40 yards.
"Those discussions are under way," the commissioner said before adding wryly, "and I'm pleased to announce we have 14 teams on one side and 14 on the other, and Jacksonville and Carolina are undecided."
Among other proposals to be discussed:
Increasing timeouts from three to four in each half.
Placing a headset in the quarterback's helmet.
Two words were not mentioned at the news conference for the first time in eight years - instant replay.
Other items included:
Realignment: It will be addressed at the March meetings, including where to place the new Charlotte and Jacksonville teams.
Franchise relocation: Tagliabue said the league will continue to oppose moves. The Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals are the latest teams to show an interest in moving.
Flag flap: The league will not take a stand on whether the Georgia state flag, which incorporates the Confederate battle flag, should be flown at the Georgia Dome during the Super Bowl.
Tagliabue said the Cowboys will play a 1994 preseason game in Mexico.
The league will look into the cross-ownership situation involving Wayne Huizenga's purchase of the Miami Dolphins. (Huizenga also owns baseball's Florida Marlins and hockey's Florida Panthers.)
The World League will return in 1995 with a four-year commitment from the NFL and with six European teams.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB