The controversial "tuck rule," which came to light when a late-game interpretation aided the New England Patriots in a division-round playoff victory over the Oakland Raiders, might be tweaked a bit when NFL owners meet in Orlando, Fla., next week.

Hot topics

NFL topics up for discussion, other than the 'tuck rule': Quarterback protection: Rich McKay said that last season, with rules protecting quarterbacks stricter than ever, the number of QBs injured was more than cut in half -- from 86 in 2000 to 41 in 2001. Northern Super Bowls: Joe Browne, one of the NFL's senior vice presidents, said there's unlikely to be any action taken at this time that would enable the NFL to hold future Super Bowls in northern cities. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has proposed New York and Washington as possible sites. Instant replay: For the first time in nearly two decades, there will be no vote on replay. It was installed a year ago for three seasons. McKay said the only changes may be in technology, such as making the buzzer from the replay booth to the officials instantaneous to avoid the kind of controversy that led to bottle-throwing in Cleveland last season after replay negated a late first down by the Browns. Stadium noise: The owners are likely to ban artificial noise in stadiums when the visiting team has the ball and the play clock has started. -- The Associated Press

And then again, it might not be changed at all, since it takes the affirmative votes of 24 owners to approve a rules alteration.

In what figures to be a relatively light agenda for the annual spring meetings, which officially convene on Monday morning, the "tuck rule" almost certainly will receive plenty of debate. In fact, it already represents much of the focus of the NFL's powerful competition committee, which is caucusing this week.

"There has been a lot of discussion about the 'tuck rule' and there will be even more," allowed Tampa Bay general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the competition committee. "The way the rule is written, I think, presents a very bright line for (game) officials. What we have to decide now it whether we want to advance that line."

The little-known and poorly understood rule fueled national debate because of its application and implications in the final two minutes of regulation of the Patriots-Raiders game. New England quarterback Tom Brady went back to pass, pulled the ball down and began to run to his left, then was stripped of the ball. The outcome of the playoff contest in the snow appeared decided when Raiders linebacker Greg Biekert recovered the apparent fumble.

The call on the field was overruled, however, after instant replay review. Referee Walt Coleman, correctly applying the rule, decided that Brady had not completed his throwing motion and had not tucked the ball away with the intention of running. The Patriots tied the on that possession, then won it in overtime, with Adam Vinatieri booting the winning field goal.

Controversy surrounding the rule increased when the Patriots advanced to, and then won, Super Bowl XXXVI.

The conventional wisdom in recent weeks was that the rule would not be altered. But McKay acknowledged Wednesday that, while the competition committee is split, the eight-member group likely will propose a modification.

"We're not in 100 percent agreement as to how the rule should be modified," McKay said. "But I think we will draft a slight modification. We're trying to work on the language right now."

Clearly at issue is the question of how to define when the quarterback stops his throwing motion and when the ball is sufficiently tucked away and his intent is to run. McKay said that there were seven different drafts that the committee is considering and will make some type of proposal to the owners next week.

A three-quarters vote of the membership, or 24 owners, is required for changing a rule.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.