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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 27, 2003
PHOENIX -- Sudden death will continue in overtime, but a proposal to expand the playoffs could have another life.
Owners tabled a decision to increase the number of playoff teams from 12 to 14 until their meeting in Philadelphia next May. But a plan to change the system to allow both teams possession in overtime received only 17 of the necessary 24 votes.
Expanding the playoffs received more support than commissioner Paul Tagliabue expected. But the vote was delayed until the league can study the ramifications for competition and television coverage of adding two wild-card teams.
Some owners are concerned that with only one team in each conference receiving a bye, it would create an unfair competitive advantage.
Bucs general manager Rich McKay noted the league's plan to wait two years after going to eight four-team divisions before tinkering with the playoff system.
"We had no problems last year with the alignment," McKay said. "The teams that made the playoffs were the teams with the best records."
The change in overtime was proposed after a record 25 games went to the extra period. Ten were won on the initial possession by the team that got the ball first, and 58 percent were won by the team that won the coin toss.
"The rule that was proposed affected 12 games," McKay said. "When you look at it like that, it was not a major deal."
The league changed the rule on onside kicks in the final five minutes. In the past, if the ball did not go 10 yards, went out of bounds or was touched illegally, the kicking team was penalized 5 yards and kicked again. Although that rule rewarded the penalized team, coaches feared teams would not try surprise onside kicks.
Under the new rule, the receiving team can get the ball immediately. The proposal passed when it was amended to cover only the final five minutes.
MAKE ROOM FOR COUGHLIN?: Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin could become a consultant for the Bucs until a coaching position becomes available.
Coach Jon Gruden said Wednesday he discussed a possible position for Coughlin at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.
"I wanted to see how Tom is doing after talking to him in Indianapolis," Gruden said. "There's a chance. I just don't want to make any news or speculation. I do know I respect him a lot and we'll see what he's doing."
TACKLE TALK: If the Bucs can't complete a deal to re-sign tackle Roman Oben soon, they will pursue other free agents.
"I don't know how much more negotiations need to take place. But he is in our plans," Gruden said. "I don't know what his plans are, honestly. I'm a little bit concerned about it. But we'll work it. We're going to line up with five starters there and we're going to get that position resolved here quickly.
"We're talking to guys, veteran players, potentially trades. We're looking into the draft. We have some contingency thoughts."
MORE SYMPATHY: Gruden was saddened after learning of the death of Michael William Jurevicius.
The 9-week-old son of Bucs receiver Joe Jurevicius and his wife, Meagan, died Monday night at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
"It's a tragedy. Joe's been through, obviously, a lot of anguish since the birth of his son," Gruden said. "Our sympathy, our hearts are with him. I talked to him Friday before I came out here. ... They've been up day and night looking under every rock in the world trying to find a cure for this little boy and it's just very sad, very sad."