INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL competition committee previewed its biggest issue this week when it discussed overtime.

As is likely throughout the debate, no consensus was reached.

OT changes?

The NFL Competition Committee met for a couple of days this week in Indianapolis and the momentum for changing the overtime rules may be fading. Titans coach Jeff Fisher, the Competition Committee co-chairman, said 50 to 60 percent of the coaches favor alterations in the overtime format, but to change the overtime would require 24 of votes from the 32 owners in March. "Despite what we anticipated coming in, there wasn't as many people pushing for change," Fisher said. "A number of options were presented. The most common were the two possession plans. The six point option was discussed." If Fisher had his way, he wouldn't make any change to the current structure. The sentiment is that any change may only be for a year, and there might not be an overhaul of the format. The league and the NFL Players Association are pushing for having each team have some kind of possession in overtime. The more the committee looked at initial thoughts about the changes, the more problems they founds. Still, this will be ongoing debate for the next two months. There will also be talks about minor adjustments in replay. From a survey of coaches, there is a push to add ``down by contact plays'' but that is unlikely. The Committee and the league doesn't want to plays to replay. One idea being pushed is having the coaches' get back their challenge if the player isn't overturned. "There are no big concerns over instant replay," Fisher said. -- John Clayton

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has said he would like to see changes to the overtime system, in which the coin toss has increasingly become a determinant factor in victory. Last season, 40 percent of the record 25 overtime games were won by the team that won the coin toss on the first possession.

The committee will hold more formal meetings in March before the annual league meeting in Phoenix.

During this week's three-day meeting, Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, the co-chairman, endorsed minor changes and at least two of his colleagues appeared to support him.

"It would change your coaching strategy, no question," new Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said, suggesting that kickoffs could be moved up in overtime to avoid giving the receiving team field position that would make scoring easier on the first drive.

Fisher and Indianapolis president Bill Polian, another committee member, said Tuesday it would be difficult to forge a consensus.

Fisher said the committee wanted to determine first why the number of overtime games had increased so dramatically.

Some coaches don't believe major changes, such as assuring each team of at least one possession, are necessary.

"I might want my defense on the field first," Lewis said with a smile. "A lot of times, I'd like to lose the toss and play defense first."

Snake eyes
The Arizona Cardinals have made a contract offer to quarterback Jake Plummer, a potential free agent.

Whether Plummer will accept the offer or become a free agent is still unclear.

Coach Dave McGinnis declined to elaborate on the offer to the QB, who can become an unrestricted free agent March 1, but acknowledged he would like Plummer back if things can be worked out.

If not, McGinnis said he would not be afraid to start backup Josh McCown or look for a quarterback in the draft.

"It's part of the negotiation process," McGinnis said. "We are in negotiations, and we'll see where it goes."

Johnson & Johnson
Wisconsin offensive linemen Ben and Al Johnson, who are cousins spent 11 years battling over everything from performance on the field to who was taller.

Now, they're both at the NFL scouting combine -- rooting for each other.

"It's not as much as when we were younger," Al Johnson said. "We kind of grew out of that stage after 11 years. Now we want what's best for the other guy."

Ben Johnson wins the battle of the statistics. He measured in at 6-foot-6, 329 pounds. Al Johnson was listed at 6-4, 305.

While Al Johnson has the edge in the overall rankings and could be the first center taken in the draft, he admits some aspects of their rivalry remain strong.

"Obviously, we want get drafted higher than the other guy," Al Johnson said.