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NFL

Proposal allows teams to hire coaches quicker

8:42 PM ET

  • Kevin SeifertNFL Nation

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    • ESPN.com national NFL writer
    • ESPN.com NFC North reporter, 2008-2013
    • Covered Vikings for Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1999-2008

The NFL’s competition committee has proposed a policy change that would allow teams to formalize head coaching hires when the coach’s original team is playing in the postseason.

The change would relieve decision-makers from waiting weeks to formalize hires.

Set to be voted on next week during the NFL owners meeting, the proposal would help teams avoid the predicament faced by the Indianapolis Colts last month. The Colts had agreed to terms with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to replace Chuck Pagano in mid-January, but under current NFL rules, could not execute a signed contract until after the Patriots’ season ended. The Patriots continued playing through Super Bowl LII. Two days later, McDaniels informed the Colts that he planned to remain with the Patriots, forcing the Colts to scramble to hire Frank Reich instead.

Under the proposed change, the Colts would have been able to give McDaniels a contract to sign at the same time they agreed to terms. Had McDaniels declined to sign, the Colts could have moved more quickly to make another hire.

The proposal was among a long list of potential rule changes the NFL will consider when the meetings open Sunday. Some were previously reported, including a significant change to the catch rule, a proposal from the New York Jets to make pass interference a 15-yard penalty unless it is “intentional and egregious” and the authority for the NFL’s centralized officiating office to eject players for non-football acts during games.

NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent said Wednesday that the Jets’ pass interference proposal had gained momentum during a week of competition committee meetings.

The full list of proposals, released publicly Thursday night, also includes:

  • Allowing coaches and players to view video on league-issued tablets on the sideline or the coaches’ booth during games. Currently, only photographs are allowed to be viewed — either printed or on tablets. Available video could significantly enhance the process of in-game adjustments and evaluations.

  • Eliminating the requirement that a winning touchdown at the end of regulation, or overtime, to kick an extra point.

  • Proposals, from the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Redskins, to expand replay review to include personal fouls, including roughing the passer and hits to players in a defenseless posture. They are not endorsed by the competition committee and are unlikely to earn approval.

Soccer

Matic: 'No excuse' for Manchester United's Champions League shame

Nemanja Matic couldn’t offer any explanations for Manchester United’s disappointing Champions League exit on Tuesday, saying that Sevilla was deservedly heading into the tournament’s quarter-final stage.

Few players emerged with any credit from the 2-1 home defeat – Alexis Sanchez and Marouane Fellaini courted the most criticism for their performances – and the game contrasted sharply with the tactically astute display against Liverpool three days earlier.

“There is no excuse,” Matic said, according to PA Sport. “There is no excuse. We had a big game, as you know, against Liverpool. We won.

“With high confidence, we come to play this game, but today they played better than us and they deserved (to win).”

Despite abject showings throughout United’s lineup, Jose Mourinho faces the brunt of disapproval from critics and fans. The Red Devils were negative in the first leg, displaying minimum attacking intent in a tedious 0-0 draw. They didn’t fare much better in the second meeting, with the host’s press appearing a little reluctant while defensive work seemed to be the prime concern.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

“Of course (it is difficult to take),” Matic continued. “… But this is football, we have to accept it and to focus on the next game, which is very important also for us, in the FA Cup.

“We focus also for the league, but we have to say congratulations to the team, Sevilla. They played really well, and they deserved to go through.”

Related – Mourinho: Champions League failure ‘nothing new’ for Manchester United

United is 16 points behind Manchester City in the Premier League table with eight matches to go, leaving the FA Cup as the club’s only realistic chance of major silverware this season. Mourinho’s side takes on Brighton & Hove Albion in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

“If you think about it, I've never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to a broadcaster. I haven't worked a day in my life.”
-John Madden


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