The Rams are shaking things up with a couple of intriguing rule proposals, inspired by the wild two-point play from their Week 16 overtime clash against the Seahawks. Let’s break down what they’re suggesting.
First up, the Rams want to address what happens when a backward pass is tipped by a defender and crosses the line of scrimmage. They propose treating it like a fumble, meaning only the player who originally fumbled can recover and advance it during crucial moments like the final two minutes of a half, on fourth down, or during a conversion attempt. If another offensive player grabs the ball, the offense would regain possession at the spot of the fumble.
In the Rams-Seahawks game, this would have meant that running back Zach Charbonnet’s recovery in the end zone wouldn’t have counted for two points. Only if quarterback Sam Darnold had snagged it would Seattle have scored. It’s a rare scenario, but the Rams believe it’s worth considering to maintain fairness when a defense disrupts a play.
The second proposal from the Rams is all about speeding up the replay review process. They suggest setting a time limit of either 40 seconds or a minute for initiating a review.
In the game against the Seahawks, it took a lengthy 100 seconds before the review was called, despite teams being ready for the next play. By enforcing a quicker review initiation, the Rams aim to keep the game flowing smoothly.
This proposal could prevent delays and ensure that outside influences don’t unnecessarily extend the game. The Rams’ suggestions might not see frequent application, but they’re all about refining the rules now that the league has witnessed these unique situations. It’s a proactive move to ensure clarity and efficiency in future games.