INDIANAPOLIS — A long-overdue change to the NFL’s sudden-death overtime rule could be on the table.
Nothing is definite, but the league confirmed yesterday that its Competition Committee is discussing implementing a hybrid of the college and pro overtime rules.
The potential NFL change would guarantee both teams a possession in overtime unless the first team scores a touchdown. If the first team kicks a field goal, the other team would get the ball with a chance to win on a touchdown or extend the game with a field goal.
League spokesman Greg Aiello said the committee will discuss the change with the teams. It could be implemented in time for the 2010 season if it passes muster at the league meetings in Orlando next month.
The NFL’s current sudden-death system, in place since 1974, has come under heavy criticism in recent years for having a coin flip play such a crucial role in the outcome.
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The top three quarterback prospects in the draft, all of whom are sitting out the combine workouts because of injuries, finally faced the media yesterday.
Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy of Texas, both of whom suffered shoulder injuries last season, each claimed his shoulder was structurally sound and would be fully healed in time for training camp.
Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen denied a statement by NFL Network analyst Charley Casserly that his surgically repaired toe would keep him sidelined until this summer. Clausen said he expects to throw at his pro day on April 9.
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Giants GM Jerry Reese said the team would like to re-sign backup quarterback David Carr, but will not bring back linebacker Danny Clark.
Reese also declined comment on his recent meeting with disgruntled defensive end Osi Umenyiora, but he did not appear concerned by Umenyiora’s recent public outburst, chalking it up to “offseason chatter.”
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LSU return specialist Trindon Holliday may or may not have broken the combine’s 40-yard dash record yesterday.
Holliday initially was clocked at 4.22 seconds on his first try, which would have topped Titans running back Chris Johnson‘s mark of 4.24 seconds, but the league later said Holliday’s official time was 4.34 seconds.