NFL bans horse-collar tackle; decisions on Vikings sale, 2009 Super Bowl still

WASHINGTON (AP) NFL owners eliminated the horse-collar tackle Tuesday, then maintained the suspense for at least one more day regarding the sale of the Minnesota Vikings and the selection of a site for the 2009 Super Bowl.

Beyond those formalities, the first day of a two-day owners' meeting put on full display stark differences among the teams over revenue sharing, which need to be resolved before a new collective bargaining agreement is reached with the players' union. Somewhat related was New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson's confirmation that he has been offered more than $1 billion for his team, an offer he didn't accept but used to illustrate the financial problems that might prompt him to move the franchise elsewhere - perhaps to Los Angeles.

"What would it take to keep it in New Orleans?" Benson said. "We need to work out a reasonable situation."

The owners' only definitive action was the 27-5 vote to ban the horse-collar tackle, in which a defender grabs the back inside of an opponent's shoulder pads and yanks the player down. Dallas safety Roy Williams does the tackle as well as anybody, but he seriously injured All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens of Philadelphia with the maneuver last season.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones voted against the change, saying he was concerned about ambiguities in the new rule. A 15-yard penalty will be called only if the tackle immediately brings the ball carrier down, and only if he's in open field.

"I'd rather it had been a fine and it not gotten to the penalty phase," Jones said.

The proposed $600 million sale of the Vikings to New Jersey real estate developer Zygmunt Wilf was discussed by the league's finance committee and could be approved by the owners Wednesday, although some details in the agreement between Wilf and current owner Red McCombs are holding up the process.

"From what we can see right now, just logistical issues," said Benson, who heads the finance committee. "It's just a matter of getting the paperwork done."

Wilf was expected to arrive in Washington on Tuesday night. If the sale isn't approved Wednesday, it could be done by electronic vote by the owners at a later date.

"I don't see any roadblocks," Benson said.

Also on the agenda Wednesday is the selection of a 2009 Super Bowl site. Atlanta, Houston, Miami, and Tampa, Fla., are the contenders, although Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams said he considered the vote to be a two-city race between Atlanta and Houston.

"It's going to be a close call," he said.

Benson spoke at length with reporters about the Saints' problems. Benson's lawyer recently said that Benson is interested in moving the team to San Antonio, Albuquerque, N.M., or Los Angeles.