NFL Owners Vote to Make Instant Replay Permanent

NFL owners voted 30-2 on Tuesday to make the video replay system a permanent fixture at NFL games.

All but three NFL stadiums will be equipped with high-definition equipment for the upcoming season. The cost will be as much as $300,000 per club. The stadiums that will not get the HD updates are in Irving, Texas, Indianapolis, and East Rutherford, N.J. because those stadiums are getting replaced in the near future.

"It's a long time coming," said Atlanta Falcons general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the competition committee. "It made sense to us this year to do it. Instant replay is an accepted part of the game. It's what we are. There was not really much discussion about it."

The two teams that voted against the proposal were Arizona and Cincinnati, as they always do on replay votes.

Another rule voted on by the owners was to allow a second interviewing window for assistant coaches on Super Bowl teams who are in the running for other head coaching positions. Previously, these interviews could only be conducted during the week after the season ended.

The coach's current team would need to grant permission for the second interview, which would take place during the bye week before the Super Bowl. The purpose of the rule was to make sure coaches on Super Bowl teams weren't at a disadvantage when it comes to landing other jobs.

Only one proposal was defeated. Defenses will not be allowed to have a coach to player communications device in their helmets, something quarterbacks have been using for years in the NFL. According to McKay, owners and coaches were concerned about who would be allowed to wear the device considering defenses using multiple formations, which could lead to more than one player on the field with the device at the same time.

Another recommendation made was to move the kickoff for overtime from the 30 to the 35 yard line. That is up for vote today. A group of owners also favors a mandatory two-possession overtime so that both teams are guaranteed to get the ball at least once. There is no official proposal, however.

NFL owners will also vote on Tampa Bay's proposal to use instant replay for all penalties except for holding, increasing the number of players on game days from 45 to 47, and creating a five yard penalty for players who spike the ball on the field of play. This would not include spikes in the end zone after a score.

Sources:
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070328/SPT0301/703280326/1022
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/315893,CST-SPT-nfl28.article