Point-after-TD kicks will stand PAT, replay centralization unlikely

Competition Committee begins reviewing full agenda

The NFL Competition Committee is getting a first look at its agenda, and it already seems like two proposals will be tabled for future consideration. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport says the committee appears to be holding off on revising the point-after-touchdown conversion attempt and the replay review system.

Rapoport says that Rich McKay, the committee chair, is considering two proposals for the PAT: one would move the spot of the snap and the other would make touchdowns 7 points without a kick, but the current two-point conversion would be a +1/−1 play (making the result of that conversion an 8 if good or 6 if it fails, just as it is now). McKay is known to use statistical analysis in rule changes, so he is most likely aware that when the goalposts were moved 10 yards in 1974, the PAT success rate plummeted to 90 percent. In 2013, PATs were converted at a record of 99.6 percent. Perhaps a snap from the 12-yard line is under consideration?

I proposed a slightly different modification for adding a little exciting twist to the PAT try, but I’m sure most coaches would be against it.

Rapoport said that an overhaul of the replay system will likely have to wait. There are logistical hurdles to revamping the system that would take more than a simple rewire-and-solder job. Although they will do some preliminary review on the Competition Committee, there are other obstacles that will likely derail a centralized replay system.

Probable agenda for the Competition Committee

Football Zebras has determined these items are also up for discussion by the Competition Committee this year:

• Making the recovery of loose balls reviewable. This appears to be a lock for a proposal to the ownership this March after a pair of missed recoveries in the NFC Conference Championship game and during the Steelers-Packers game in the regular season.
• Process of the catch. This is an annual review of the rule, but I don’t expect any changes beyond a minor tweak, if that.
• Defenseless player protections and low block. This is an annual review as well.
• Crown-hit rule. This was a new rule last season but it appears to have not been called, although fines have been levied for this type of hit. NFL statistics do not list any crown hit penalties, but it is not clear if there were zero called or if they are just filed under unnecessary roughness. An NFL spokeman declined to elaborate, saying the statistics for crown-hit penalties (called and uncalled) would be revealed at the owners meeting in March.
• Taunting as a live-ball foul. There was discussion about taunting fouls that occur during a play could erase a touchdown, but this does not seem to have any serious consideration.
• Defensive pass interference to 15-yard penalty. This routinely gets a review by the committee, although McKay said last year that it was not considered in the 2013 meetings.
• Eliminating kickoffs. It will be reviewed, but no changes anytime soon.
• Concussion-related changes. Some possibilities include a short-term “concussion reserve” disabled list to sit concussed players, eliminating the three-point stance, and ejections for helmet-to-helmet hits (h/t Jenny Vrentas, The MMQB)

The Competition Committee is chaired by McKay. Current members of the committee are, according to the NFL public relations department:

Images: NFL.com, Football Zebras graphic.