Overtime overhaul expected

Commissioner also defends minority hiring in annual state-of-the-league address.

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 25, 2003

SAN DIEGO -- Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said to expect changes in the NFL's overtime format, continued progress in the hiring of minorities and no expansion in the next decade as he delivered his annual state-of-the-league address.

"The likelihood is that we will probably end up with a change in the overtime system," said Tagliabue, pointing to a trend strongly favoring teams that win the coin toss over the past nine seasons, since the league moved its kickoffs back to the 30-yard line. "How we fine-tune the rule, I don't know. ... With the excellence of our offenses right now, that advantage of receiving (first) is becoming unbalanced."

Attorney Johnnie Cochran called a news conference in San Diego this week, questioning the league's policies to ensure minority involvement in the hiring process, and Tagliabue said of Cochran's group that "my assessment of their contribution to this effort up to this point is mixed at best."

Cincinnati's hiring of Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis gives the league three black head coaches, and though Dallas and Jacksonville have hired white head coaches this offseason, Tagliabue questioned any attack on their hiring process.

"We are going to have colorblind hiring practices ... in terms of Jacksonville and Dallas, I don't understand what principle is supposed to underly the criticism of the hiring of Jack Del Rio and Bill Parcells," he said. "The principal of fair employment really centers on the idea that employers should not hire unqualified or less qualified people and pass over members of minority of groups of one type or another who are more qualified or fully qualified. I don't see how that principle has been breached in any way, shape or form."

He again called the botched call at the end of the Giants-49ers playoff game two weeks ago "the most disappointing aspect of officiating that I have seen in my 13 years as commissioner," but he clarified that his disappointment was not because of the human error but the oversight that did not allow it to be promptly corrected.

"We have taken pains over the years to have mechanics in place that are designed to prevent that type of an oversight from occurring," he said. "And despite the fact that those mechanics were in place, they weren't utilized, and it was mostly a failure of communication. Overall, we think the officiating is very good, and I don't expect the Competition Committee to do anything surgical or radical."

Among Tagliabue's other comments:

-- Asked if the proliferation of 300-pound linemen might be contributing to the emergence of obesity in the United States: "Do I feel responsible for the size of the players? I can't say that I do, any more than David Stern is responsible for Yao (Ming's) height."

-- Asked if he has noticed a dropoff in business involvement in Super Bowl activities: "In terms of corporate executives being here or not being here, I've read about the so-called Frugal Bowl. Our sense is that this Super Bowl is being extremely well-supported by fans. It's a hot ticket right now, and the Raiders and Bucs have brought a lot of fans with them ... I guess I would say that if there is any frugality, it's probably called for, given where we are as a nation with some overriding challenges, including the possibility of war."

-- On the obstacles facing a northern Super Bowl in New York or Washington in upcoming years: "(One) thing is fan comfort ... it requires everybody to understand, as they will when they go to Detroit and ... Minnesota, that you don't go in Bermuda shorts and you don't go looking for mai tais. You go like you're going to the Winter Olympics. You dress accordingly."

MAN OF THE YEAR: Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent was honored with the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Vincent, a Pro Bowl selection who led the Eagles to their second consecutive NFC Championship Game, was praised for his charity work in leading a strong team community presence in Philadelphia.

"Troy is truly an amazing leader," Tagliabue said. "He spends incredible amounts of time and money helping kids and others in Philadelphia and his hometown of Trenton, N.J. Troy puts it this way: 'I've realized that my purpose is to use the platform of football to serve people. It's not about me; it's about helping people.' "