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The NFL will hold its annual league meeting in Arizona from March 24 to March 27, with the subject of rules changes one of the topics on the agenda. But while the league has confirmed they will discuss several proposed amendments, it would appear that Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II will not be lending his support to some of the more controversial suggestions.
When speaking to local reporters during a conference call on Friday, Rooney left no doubt how he felt about proposals to expand instant replay and did not sound like a man who could be easily swayed by those in favor of the idea.
#Steelers President Art Rooney II said the team will go to the NFL Owners Meetings opposed to expanding instant replay. "I'm not really excited to have replay expanded, and we'll approach it with that in mind."
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) March 22, 2019
Just got off a conference call with Art Rooney about rule proposals: About replay -- "We have a lot that's reviewable in the game and not that excited about adding to that list." @TheAthleticPGH
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 22, 2019
"... making that decision. You never are going to get it perfect no matter how many people are looking at it. That's another hesitation I have to expand it even further."
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 22, 2019
Rooney said his biggest objection to expanding replay is it will make games longer. "I would not want to see the length of the game expanded. We need to continuously go in the other direction, if anything try to shorten the game."
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 22, 2019
A rule change that suggested doing away with onside kicks in favor of a system similar to the one that the Alliance of American Football has implemented is also unlikely to be endorsed by Rooney.
There is a rule proposed that a team can have a 4th-and-15 play once a game to regain possession of the ball because of the severe dip in on-side kick success this past year. Rooney: "My preference would to keep the onside kick pretty similar to what we have now ..."
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 22, 2019
Nor is another idea that would add an extra official to the playing field.
Art Rooney II said while he is willing to listen to a proposal for an 8th official to be stationed in a booth, he isn't in favor of an 8th official on the field.
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) March 22, 2019
Rooney is opposed to having an 8th official on the field.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 22, 2019
Or a change to the two teams who perennially host Thanksgiving day games.
Art Rooney II admitted there could be a small advantage for the Lions and Cowboys getting to host games every Thanksgiving, but because of the difficulty of hosting events on holidays and the ability those teams have to do it right, he's not in favor of changing the tradition.
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) March 22, 2019
But it appears he would support a proposal to allow both teams to have a possession in overtime, even if the team with the ball first scored a touchdown.
Rooney hinted that the Steelers are for the rule change of allowing both teams to possess the ball in overtime even if the first team scores a TD
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) March 22, 2019
Opting not to talk about the departure of Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, Rooney spoke only of looking forward to the new season and focusing on the current roster instead.
In a conference call about upcoming owners meeting, Steelers prez Art Rooney II would not comment directly on exits of Antonio Brown and @LeVeonBell. "We're excited about the players we have and going to have in the building and looking forward to getting started on 2019."
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) March 22, 2019
The owners will discuss 16 proposed rule changes, six proposed changes to league bylaws and three proposed resolution changes during their annual meeting.
2019 rules change proposals submitted by clubs were shared with all teams today. Here’s a look at what was proposed. For the full summary, visit: https://t.co/LBmaH8VSPC pic.twitter.com/ujKu0zYFFN
— NFL Football Operations (@NFLFootballOps) March 9, 2019
This full list of proposals published by Pro Football Talk on Thursday.
2019 Playing Rule Proposals Summary
1. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 6 to make permanent the kickoff rule changes that were implemented during the 2018 season.
2. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 12 to expand protection to a defenseless player.
3. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 14, Section 5, Article 2 to change the enforcement of double fouls when there is a change of possession.
4. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 11, Section 4, Article 2 to simplify the application of scrimmage kick rules for missed field goals.
5. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 14, Section 2, Article 3 to allow teams to elect to enforce on the succeeding try or on the succeeding free kick an opponent’s personal or unsportsmanlike conduct foul committed during a touchdown.
6. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 15, Section 2 for one year only to expand the reviewable plays in instant replay to include fouls for pass interference; also expands automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any Try attempt (extra point or two-point conversion).
6a. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 15, Section 2 for one year only to expand the reviewable plays in instant replay to include all fouls for pass interference, roughing the passer, and unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture; also expands automatic replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul, and any Try attempt (extra point or two-point conversion).
7 By Kansas City Chiefs; to amend Rule 16 to (1) allow both teams the opportunity to possess the ball at least one time in overtime, even if the first team to possess the ball in overtime scores a touchdown; (2) eliminate overtime for preseason; and (3) eliminate overtime coin toss so that winner of initial coin toss to begin game may choose whether to kick or receive, or which goal to defend.
8. By Denver; to amend Rule 6, Section 1, Article 1 to provide an alternative to the onside kick that would allow a team who is trailing in the game an opportunity to maintain possession of the ball after scoring.
9. By Washington; to amend Rule 15, Section 2 to subject all plays that occur during a game to coaches’ challenge by teams or review by the Officiating department in the instant replay system.
10. By Washington; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, Article 5 to add review of personal fouls as reviewable plays in the instant replay system.
11. By Kansas City; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to add review of personal fouls (called or not called on the field) as plays subject to coaches’ challenge in the instant replay system.
12. By Carolina, Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia, and Seattle; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to add review of designated player safety-related fouls (called or not called on the field) as plays subject to coaches’ challenge in the instant replay system.
13. By Philadelphia; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to add scoring plays and turnovers negated by a foul to be subject to automatic review in the instant replay system.
14. By Denver; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to add all fourth down plays that are spotted short of the line to gain or goal line to be subject to automatic review in the instant replay system.
15. By Denver; to amend Rule 15, Section 2, to add all Try attempts (Extra point or Two-point conversion) to be subject to automatic review in the instant replay system.
16. By Competition Committee; to amend Rule 15, Section 1, Article 5 to allow League personnel to disqualify for both flagrant football and non-football acts.
2019 Bylaw Proposals Summary
1. By Buffalo; to amend Article XVII, Section 17.4 to liberalize the rule for reacquisition of a player assigned via waivers.
2. By Competition Committee; to amend Article XVII, Section 17.1 to provide clubs with more roster flexibility during training camp.
3. By Competition Committee; to amend Article XVIII, Section 18.1 to provide teams more effective access to players during the postseason.
4. By Competition Committee; to amend Article XIV, Section 14.3(B)(8) to make the tiebreaking procedures fairer for the selection meeting.
5. By Competition Committee; to amend Article XVII, Section 17.1 to provide additional roster spots during the preseason.
6. By Competition Committee; to amend Article XVII, Section 12.3 to offer more roster flexibility.
2019 Resolution Proposals Summary
G-1. By Competition Committee; to amend the Anti-Tampering Policy to permit an interested club to contact a Vested Veteran before clubs have been notified of the player’s termination via the Player Personnel Notice if (i) the players is not subject to the Waivers System and, (ii) the employer club has publicly announced the player’s release.
G-2. By Washington; to amend current League practices regarding teams’ post-game officiating inquiries and allow opposing teams to receive the League’s post-game responses to any officiating inquiries submitted by either team.
G-3. Withdrawn, By Philadelphia; to continue the annual tradition of having Dallas and Detroit play on Thanksgiving, provided that one of those clubs host a home game with the other club playing away, and alternating home and away games each subsequent season.