Fox and Payton oppose OT changes

[Dpantherman]

ORLANDO, Fla. – Panthers coach John Fox and NFC South rival Sean Payton, coach of the New Orleans Saints, say they aren't in favor of proposed changes to the NFL's sudden death overtime system.

The league’s competition committee presented a proposal to league owners Monday to modify overtime for postseason games only so that if the team that wins the coin flip scores on a field goal on its first possession, the other team would get the ball and could either win with a touchdown or force a true sudden death with a field goal.

The proposed change, which wouldn't affect regular-season games, came about after statistics showed that since the NFL moved the kickoff back from the 35- to the 30-yard line in 1994, the team that wins the coin flip has had around a 20 percent better chance of winning than the team that loses the toss.

Though Fox said he found the data interesting, he's not sure it should -- or will -- lead to rules changes.

“I’m pretty comfortable with the current rules,” said Fox. “We’re going to take it up for vote. I’ve got a a feeling it won’t pass.”

Payton said he thinks the current system is good for the game because of the excitement of true sudden death -- once the overtime begins, the game can end at any time on a single play since the team that scores first wins.

Payton, whose team won the Super Bowl this year, said he planned to speak out against the proposal in meetings Tuesday.

Several owners, including Houston’s Bob McNair, said they were in favor of the proposal and would vote for it.

The vote is expected to be taken Wednesday morning.

(x)

The NFL plans to announce compensatory picks on Tuesday, rewarding teams for players lost via free agency with draft picks.

The Panthers are expected to pick up a couple of late-round picks for losing offensive linemen Geoff Hangartner (to Buffalo) and Frank Omiyale (Chicago) during the 2009 free agency period.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2010/03/fox-payton-oppose-ot-change.html

[hepcat]

AAAAAND the Packers and Vikings will of course, approve of the changes. If luck has been on your side in OT, why change anything?

[Delhommey]

They had the stats on OT wins/losses. I think less than 20% of the teams that won the coin toss won OT.

[thejimmy]

I agree with them. I prefer sudden death. Don't change it.

[pantherclaw]

I think it's stupid. If it's so important to change it, do it for the regular season to. (which wouldn't get the support.)

Sudden death is sudden death.

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

AAAAAND the Packers and Vikings will of course, approve of the changes. If luck has been on your side in OT, why change anything?

Actually the Vikings owner said today he's in favor of keeping OT the way it is.

[brandon_87]

of course payton would oppose it cuz the team is garbage and needs OT AND a ass load of luck to win anything

[brandon_87]

:idea:

[ladypanther]

Foxy against change? What a shocker.

[Wither]

I agree with them. I prefer sudden death. Don't change it.

That would be fine if the outcome of OT was decided purely be skill. However, it is mostly decided by coin toss.

[brandon_87]

Foxy against change? What a shocker.

we all know Fox is old school so i wasnt surprised by that either

[Ricky Spanish]

Payton said he thinks the current system is good for the game because of the excitement of true sudden death -- once the overtime begins, the game can end at any time on a single play since the team that scores first wins.

does the tard realize that with the new proposal the team that scores a TD first can win on any play, so it goes along with what he just said...

[Darth Biscuit]

Not shocking that Fox opposes it... I like it because it reduces the effect the coin toss has on the outcome of games.

[Wither]

does the tard realize that with the new proposal the team that scores a TD first can win on any play, so it goes along with what he just said...

The people who don't like it are apparently afraid of competition. They would rather their team win the coin toss and win because they got the ball first.

Not shocking that Fox opposes it... I like it because it reduces the effect the coin toss has on the outcome of games.

It makes it way more skill-based with the proposed changes.

Consider a FG "half-assing" it and a TD "doing it the right way." That's how I look at OT.