The NFL owners meetings are only a couple miles away from Disney World in Orlando, but they won't be fun and games.
Last year there were six proposed rule changes. This year, there are 13. The league's competition committee, including Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome, will present those 13 rule changes to league owners for a vote.
NFL head coaches will speak at a media brunch. Owners will be on hand discussing their views on NFL issues and their teams. Commissioner Roger Goodell will give his updates and opinions on league matters. Compensatory draft picks are also announced, giving a complete draft order.
It's a busy time, and here's what fans can look forward to:
Rule Changes
Proposal No. 1, via Redskins (Kickoffs): Would move the kickoff to the 40-yard line for safety and historic consistency reasons.* *
Proposal No. 2, via Redskins (Replay personal fouls): Would expand instant replay to include personal foul penalties.* *
Proposal No. 3, via Redskins (Preseason overtime): Would eliminate overtime periods in preseason games for player safety reasons.* *
Proposal No. 4, via Patriots (Heighten goal posts): Would extend the goal posts an additional five feet above the cross bar, making it easier for officials to determine whether kicks are good.* *
Proposal No. 5, via Patriots (Longer extra points): Would move the line of scrimmage for extra points to the defensive team's 25-yard line, making it a 43-yard attempt. This is to make the extra point more competitive.* *
Proposal No. 6, via Patriots (Boundary line cameras): Would put stationary cameras on all boundary lines – the sideline, end line and end zone – to supplement the TV cameras.* *
Proposal No. 7, via Patriots (Coaches challenges): Would permit a coach to challenge any official's decision, except scoring plays.* *
Proposal No. 8, via competition committee (Roll-up protection): Would add a penalty for "rolling up" on the side of a defender. Currently, a blocker cannot go low at the back of the legs of a defender. This would further extend that to include the side.* *
Proposal No. 9, via competition committee (Referee consultation): Would allow the referee to consult with members of the NFL officiating department in New York during replay reviews.* *
Proposal No. 10, via competition committee (Replay fumble recoveries): Would allow plays where the ball is in the field of play and there is a clear recovery to be reviewed and potentially overturned. Currently, when a ball is ruled dead, it is not reviewable.* *
Proposal No. 11, via competition committee (Clock stoppage): Would eliminate the stoppage of the clock on a sack at any point of the game.* *
Proposal No. 12, via competition committee (Pass interference modification): Would allow for pass interference to be called even if the foul occurs within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage.* *
Proposal No. 13, via competition committee (Penalty enforcement): Would make all defensive fouls behind the line of scrimmage enforced from the previous spot rather than the end of the run or the spot of the foul.
Coaches Breakfast
Head Coach John Harbaugh and all the other AFC coaches will meet with the media Tuesday at 7:15 a.m. ET.
Harbaugh will field questions about the direction of the Ravens offense, the departure of some key defensive players and the status of players involved in offseason legal problems.
The NFC coaches will meet with the media Wednesday at 7:15 a.m., giving fans a chance to hear from other coaches around the NFL, including former Ravens offensive coordinator and new Detroit Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell.
Compensatory Picks
NFL draft compensatory picks will be announced, likely on Monday afternoon.
A team losing more and/or better (determined by a formula} free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four picks.
The Ravens got the maximum four picks last year, and could do so once again after losing Paul Kruger (Cleveland), Dannell Ellerbe (Miami), Ed Reed (Houston) and Cary Williams (Philadelphia).
Roger Goodell Press Conference
The NFL will announce the result of the voting on the 13 rule proposals Wednesday afternoon. Then Commissioner Roger Goodell will speak to the assembled media about that and other issues at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET.
Goodell will speak about large-picture issues facing the NFL, including player safety and expanding the season and playoffs.
