Re-seeding proposal is squashed

The Bucs weren't the only team to oppose the league's proposal to alter the playoff seeding process.

There was almost no support for the measure in this morning's final session here at the league meetings -- so little, in fact, the proposal never made it to the floor for an actual vote.

After some debate on the matter, the competition committee asked for a show of hands to gauge support, and after very few expressed a desire to move forward, the proposal was dropped.

Commissioner Roger Goodell later said the league will continue to explore ways to ensure that late-season games are more competitive, and perhaps find other methods of forcing teams to play to win even after clinching playoff berths.

The proposal would have changed the system so that seeds Nos. 3-6 would have been seeded according to win-loss record. That could have resulted in a division winner playing a road game in the first round, something that is not possible under the current system.

There were some other proposals on the table that were approved.

Teams voted in favor of eliminating the 5-yard facemask penalty, the force-out rule on pass completions and expanded instant replay to include field goals. One other item that was approved is a change to trade rules that will require players who have previously agreed to sign a re-negotiated contract with his new team must do so within 72 hours of the trade's approval. If not, the trade can be reversed.