Channeling Freddie Mitchell: Eagles to propose 4th-and-26-like onside-kick alternative at virtual league meeting
by Paul Domowitch, Updated: May 21, 2020- 3:56 PM
Channeling Freddie Mitchell: Eagles to propose 4th-and-26-like onside-kick alternative at virtual league meeting
JERRY LODRIGUSS / STAFF
The NFL owners will hold a virtual league meeting on May 28. The agenda includes consideration of seven rule-change proposals, including two from the Eagles.
The Eagles initially proposed four rule changes, but withdrew two of them – one that had to do with blindside blocks, and another changing the length of the overtime period back to 15 minutes (it’s currently 10) and minimizing the benefit of the overtime coin toss.
Providing an alternative to the onside kick that would allow a team that is trailing in the game another way of maintaining possession after scoring.
Making permanent the expansion of automatic instant-replay reviews to include scoring plays and turnovers negated by a penalty, as well as any successful or unsuccessful extra-point or two-point conversion attempt.
The Eagles’ onside-kick alternative would allow the trailing team to substitute one offensive play for the kickoff. The trailing team would get the ball at its 25-yard line in a fourth-and-15 situation. If it converts the first down, it would keep the ball.
One NFL executive said the Eagles’ onside-kick alternative is expected to generate considerable discussion.
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