Bad calls and no calls up for review

NFL passes replay revisions

At the league meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, NFL owners voted to expand instant replay reviews to include offensive and defensive pass interference penalties along with no-calls from officials.

The vote was 31-1 in favor of the revisions recommended unanimously by the league's coaches.   The only team voting against the change was the Cincinnati Bengals.

Packers President Mark Murphy was among the majority and said including some of the most controversial calls was a compromise from taking even more penalty plays subject to review.

Coaches can challenge interference calls or plays that they feel warrant a penalty just like any boundary play, catch or turnover up until the two minute warning of each half.   In the final two minutes, only the replay official in the press box can make that determination.

The revisions come in the wake of blatant mistakes made by referees in the playoffs last year, particularly the non-call of interference against the Los Angeles Rams that likely denied the New Orleans Saints a trip to the Super Bowl.

Another rule change shot down would have done away with the onside kick in favor of having an offense convert a 4th and 15 play to retain possession of the ball.

Two other notes of interest emerged from the NFL owners meetings on Wednesday.

Murphy said the Packers remain in discussion with the Oakland Raiders about moving a 2019 pre-season game.   The Raiders are scheduled to host the Packers but there is talk the game could move to Canada, either Winnipeg or Saskatchewan.  The negotiations are continuing.   The Packers are the only team in the league that has not played or is scheduled to play an international regular season game.

Murphy has resisted giving up a home game to play in London or even Mexico City and the Packers draw so well on the road, opponents would prefer to keep Green Bay on their home schedule.

Head Coach Matt LaFleur also told reporters he wants to practice against another NFL team during training camp.    The last time another team practiced with the Packers on Clarke Hinkle Field was when Mike Sherman invited the Buffalo Bills to Green Bay in the summer of 2005.