PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – How much have the Steelers become traders, so much they want an extra week in the regular season to consider them.
Wednesday as the new NFL league year started the Steelers proposed changed the date of the trade deadline from the day after the final game of the eighth week of the season to the day after the final game of the ninth week of the regular season, typically a Tuesday. Then six other teams proposed to move it after the tenth week of the year.
Steelers argue it helps with the move to a 17-game season and allows teams to have more roster options, specifically as it relates to players injuries. The Steelers also argue it puts the NFL more in line with other major US sports leagues. As they put in the proposal it ‘provides the league with a better opportunity to put its best product on the field for the stretch run of the regular season and into the postseason’.
Onside kick alternative
It’s the same proposal as submitted last year by the Eagles. It has been submitted again where a team could forego an onside kick attempt and instead face a 4th and 20 from your own 20-yard-line. You have a play to gain twenty yards and get possession of the ball. The clock would start on the snap, so it is not an untimed down. If the attempting team gains the 20 yards, the result will be a first down and a gained possession for the drive to continue from where the play ended. If the attempting team were to incur a penalty on the 4th and 20 attempt, it cannot change and revert back to a kick.
More review
The Colts submitted a proposal to add the opportunity for a coach or replay official (inside of two minutes) to challenge ANY foul that has been called on the field.
Emergency QB change
The rule changed last year so teams could dress an emergency quarterback that could play if both the starter and back-up leave with injury. If either of the top two quarterbacks are healthy enough to return, the emergency QB must exit the game, only eligible to return again if the first two are medically ruled out.
Now the Bills are proposing that the emergency QB could come off the practice squad instead of the active roster and that quarterback could be added every week without being limited to the elevation rules other positions deal with from the practice squad. It would still count against one of the two weekly elevations allowed from the practice squad.