Steelers New Rules Proposal – Will They Pass?

The Steelers have ponied up two new rules for next season that will be voted on by the owners when they meet next week.  Both address certain inconsistencies with rules that already exist, and I think both have a strong chance of passing.

The first rule on the table is addressing the overtime rule.  The Steelers (and sources say this is mainly coming from Mike Tomlin) want the playoff overtime rules to extend into the regular season.  Makes sense.  Might as well keep the rule consistent throughout the entire season.  And, it sounds like Tomlin will have support from the at least 24 of 32 owners needed for the rule to pass.

The second rule addresses the horse collar rule involving quarterbacks.  Currently horse collaring is illegal…. but only outside the pocket.  Were a QB to scramble and get horse collared inside the pocket, there’s no penalty – even though the chance to injure is the same whether the tackle performed inside or outside the pocket.  Again,  another no brainer kind of change.  This one will undoubtedly pass due to Goodell’s recent smackdown on the Saints with regards to maintaining the integrity behind player safety.  Horse collar no no’s inside the pocket will tow the line.

But as we well know, owners can get ‘weird’ when it comes to sweeping rule changes or even the slightest of amendments.  So I ask the masses who REALLY should be making the rules – Will these two rules proposed by the Steelers organization pass next week?