Instant Replay May Get New Look In Nfl

The NFL is again trying to find a way to make instant replay part of its games.

The league’s competition committee, meeting in Tampa in preparation for the general meetings in two weeks, is studying the results of an experiment during the exhibition season last year. It would apply only to out of bounds and scoring plays.

It’s also studying a broader proposal submitted by the Washington Redskins that would apply to all possession plays. But the Redskins have submitted a replay proposal since the system was voted out after the 1991 season and it has yet to be approved.

Replay was in effect for six seasons (1986-91). It was dropped largely because teams felt it lengthened games and left officials tentative as a result of the extra scrutiny.

Last year, there was no vote on replay either by the owners or the seven-member competition committee.

But with the agreement of the committee, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue instituted an experiment with a limited replay system, that was tried in 10 nationally televised exhibitions.

It was limited to scoring plays and allowed coaches two challenges per half with the referee making the decision based on his view of the play from a monitor on the sidelines. If the referee rejected the challenge, the team loses a timeout.

The system now being reviewed by the competition committee could be broader than that. But it needs approval by 23 of 30 teams to go back in. “We look at everything that’s being proposed and try to find the best combination,” said George Young, general manager of the New York Giants and the committee’s cochairman along with Green Bay coach Mike Holmgren.

Young has been the most consistent opponent of replay.

“I’m just one vote,” he said. “If the owners want to put in a system, they’ll put one in.”