New replay rules could lengthen games

There are a couple of thousand players waiting for the NFL and NFLPA to reach a settlement that would allow them to start preparing for training camps and preseason games. Their future is uncertain.







There are 121 NFL officials whose future is also uncertain, but they are prepared and ready to go. On Sunday, all 121 completed a three-day clinic in Dallas, where — among other things — they were weighed, had their body fat and waist circumference measured and their body mass calculated. They have been assigned training camps to attend and have gotten their preseason game assignments.

Friday’s initial segment of the clinic apprised the officials of the rule changes. The changes with the greatest impact involve instant replay and player safety. The lack of a change involves Calvin Johnson.

The change in replay involves scoring plays. If an official rules a score (touchdown, field goal, safety or extra point) during a game, the replay official will automatically review the play. If there is any question as to whether the ruling is correct, they will buzz down to the referee and ask him to come to the monitor to review the play. If the replay official confirms the ruling is correct, they will buzz the referee indicating he is clear to let the scoring team attempt the extra point, or kick off if the scoring play was a field goal, safety or extra-point attempt. A coach will not be allowed to challenge the ruling of a score. The intent is to save the coach from having to challenge the ruling of a score and, thus, increase his chances of not running out of challenges or timeouts.

Sounds good, but there will be an unintended consequence................

Read more @ http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/n...n-games-071711