Re-seeding proposal is squashed

The Bucs weren't the only team to oppose the league's proposal to alter the playoff seeding process.

There was almost no support for the measure in this morning's final session here at the league meetings -- so little, in fact, the proposal never made it to the floor for an actual vote.

After some debate on the matter, the competition committee asked for a show of hands to gauge support, and after very few expressed a desire to move forward, the proposal was dropped.

Commissioner Roger Goodell later said the league will continue to explore ways to ensure that late-season games are more competitive, and perhaps find other methods of forcing teams to play to win even after clinching playoff berths.

The proposal would have changed the system so that seeds Nos. 3-6 would have been seeded according to win-loss record. That could have resulted in a division winner playing a road game in the first round, something that is not possible under the current system.

There were some other proposals on the table that were approved.

Teams voted in favor of eliminating the 5-yard facemask penalty, the force-out rule on pass completions and expanded instant replay to include field goals. One other item that was approved is a change to trade rules that will require players who have previously agreed to sign a re-negotiated contract with his new team must do so within 72 hours of the trade's approval. If not, the trade can be reversed.

Comments

[Mike]

Stephen is the force out rule for the end zone only or are the sidelines included in the rule?

[DR]

Mike, the rule covers every play. The officials are only looking at whether or not the players feet are inbounds when they catch the ball. It doesn't matter if they are pushed.

[Stephen_Holder]

DR is correct. But it has become an arcane rule over the years. You hardly ever see it called anymore anyway. There remains the chance that a player can be pulled out of bounds and not get both feet in. That part of the rule was not touched.

[Tony]

isn't that the same thing? pulled out and forced out? to force someone is to use other means other than the players momentum to prevent both feet landing in bounds, whether it be by push, pull, pickup, throw...

[Stephen_Holder]

I don't have the exact language in front of me right now, but it's basically a push vs. a pull. A push out will no longer be called but being pulled out of bounds will be a consideration when makin a call.

[Tony]

That doesn't make sense bro. A force out is a force out. Plus, I've never seen a defender pull a player out of bounds in an effort to keep them from getting 2 feet in bounds. Sure they can pull them down in an effort to tackle them or to stop the clock but that would've been after the catch was made.

[Tony]

The division title should mean something. Especially since season ticket holders have to decide in early December as th whether or not they want to pony up the cash for All potential playoff games at home. It is an easier decision if the division looks like a lock or at least a possibility.

[Tony]

Squashed? I think you mean quashed.