March 23, 2010

Time for change? New OT opens up many possibilities

By Clark Judge | CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- OK, football fans, when's the last time you heard of an NFL game going into overtime and ending with a fumble? Or an interception? Get used to it because it may be coming to a stadium near you.

Under the new rule passed Tuesday, playoff overtime games can end on turnovers when the opposing team scores first. You heard me: fumble, and you lose.

So let's say the Indianapolis Colts receive the kick, nail a field goal and kick off to Tennessee. And on the first snap, Titans quarterback Vince Young fumbles, and Indianapolis recovers.

Ballgame, folks.

"It's the same way it is in regulation games," said Atlanta president Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's competition committee. "It's been different in overtime because we've always had it on a scoring play or a tie. But in regulation that's the way it always is: It's fourth down, I go for it and I'm stopped. So a guy takes a knee. At least we won't have the knee."

But you could have a dramatic change, with the emphasis on drama. Once a building shook with the winning field goal in OT. And now? Now it can decompress with a turnover, and, yes, that will take some adjustment -- and not just by coaches. By anyone who watches these games.

But that's just the beginning. Fourth downs change, too, with coaches more inclined to try, say, a fourth-and-2 at an opponent's 10 on a first possession because a touchdown wins the game where a field goal might not.

And if you fail? Big deal. Your opponent has to start his series at his 10. All I know is that conventional coaching just got jettisoned for the playoffs -- and, sorry, that makes no sense.

Neither does a game ending on a turnover, but that's what the league wants. And that's what you're going to get.

"The interesting thing is that anytime you propose a rule change it's at first shocking," said McKay, "but [owners] didn't have the benefit of what we had and the past five or six years, spending maybe eight hours each year just talking about the rule. So there's an educational process that takes place."

Let the course begin. I can't imagine overtime games ending on turnovers, but I couldn't imagine the New Orleans Saints winning a Super Bowl, either. This will take some serious time to sink in ... by everyone.

"I haven't had time to think of things," said Jets' coach Rex Ryan. "I just want to find ways to win. It's something we all know is going in, so we'll be just fine one way or the other."