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          NFL Nation

          Redskins propose rules changes, still want replay on personal fouls

          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterMar 18, 2016, 09:05 AM ET
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          The Washington Redskins typically are active when it comes to suggesting rules proposals, and this year they are asking for three more changes. The proposals will be voted on at the NFL Owners Meetings in Boca Raton, Florida, next week.

          Here are the three changes proposed by the Redskins:

          1. Eliminate overtime periods in preseason games: My take: Amen. Nobody wants to see an extra period of play in August. Certainly for some players it would give them an extra quarter to impress coaches. But the players in these spots get nearly the entire fourth preseason game to display what they can do. And the worst-case scenario is overtime in the fourth preseason game. Ugh. Coaches who go for two-point conversions late in regulation of preseason games to either win or lose are greatly appreciated. Preseason is about judging talent, not accruing wins.

          2. Subjecting personal foul penalties to instant replay review: My take: No problem with this one, either. These are impactful calls, and there are times when re-watching a hit -- on a quarterback, for example -- where you think, "No way." Also, there is a proposal that would lead to a player being ejected for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in one game. You’d better make sure they’re legit. But the problem is that this penalty can be subjective (there are definitely triggers that make it easier for officials to call). This proposal wasn’t passed last year, either. If you’re going to review this, why stop here -- why not include pass interference? That can be a much more costly penalty.

          3. Eliminating the requirement that a team be successful on each of its first two instant replay challenges to be awarded a third: My take: They just want teams to have three challenges, period. I’m OK with that, too. I can understand if a team is using a replay challenge on plays that have no chance of winning, but some calls are too close to gauge before throwing a red flag. Not sure you should be penalized for challenging those. This proposal was defeated last year; it does help that turnovers and touchdowns already are subject to replay.