The NFL is in their off-season. Last weekend it wrapped up the NFL Scouting Combine. Teams talked to potential draft picks. That hasn’t stopped the Detroit Lions General Manager, Martin Mayhew, from discussing possible rule changes for this upcoming season.
He wants to modify how replays are implemented. In the Lions loss to the Cowboys in the Wild Card round, a flag was thrown for pass interference. It was picked up with no explanation given. The Lions lost 24-20. Mayhew wants to be able to challenge a flag anytime an official throws one.
This feels like a bunch of sour grapes. Mayhew is still upset his team lost. It wasn’t the penalty that was picked up that cost his team the game. It was the fact that they couldn’t score five more points to beat the Cowboys.
This proposal doesn’t make much sense. It would mean that all flags thrown in a game would be subject to replay and takes the refs decisions almost totally out of the game. There are only two flags a team can really challenge now. One is a flag thrown for pass interference. A team can see if the ball was tipped before contact. A tipped ball would negate the penalty. The red flag can be thrown when a team thinks there were 12 men on the field.
Challenging all the penalties in a game could require more time. It would make the game much longer. Remove the ability to challenge away from coaches. The replay booth should look at all the plays and decide if the referee needs to take another look. This has worked in college. Coaches wouldn’t be allowed to throw a red flag. Make the replay booth more accountable.
Mayhew’s next step is for his proposal to go in front of the Competition Committee. They would watch plays that this rule would have an impact on. If the committee likes the recommendation they will send it for a vote by ownership. Hopefully, if it goes to the owners they would shut it down.
How can the NFL improve the replay system?
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