Report: Ravens to propose new 'spot and choose' overtime procedures

The Baltimore Ravens will submit new rule proposals to the NFL involving adjustments to overtime based on the idea of "spot and choose," sources told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.

Included in both of its proposals, Baltimore is recommending that one team selects the spot of the ball to begin the extra frame, while the other then chooses whether to play offense or defense, Florio reports.

Under one proposed change, overtime would proceed in sudden-death fashion with 10 extra minutes following the spot-and-choose. The second proposal would have the game continue for seven minutes and 30 seconds, and whichever club leads at the end of the added time would be declared the winner.

Both proposals include a tie if teams remain deadlocked after either time frame.

The submissions were designed in part to mitigate the impact of the coin toss. Overtime currently begins with a flip, and if the team that wins elects to receive the ball and scores a touchdown on its first possession, the game ends.

Baltimore is suggesting the coin toss should only be used to give the club that wins it the right to pick the spot of the ball or whether it wants to play offense or defense. The Ravens are attempting to eliminate the luck factor of overtime and replace it with more strategy. Coaches would not only choose whether to take the ball but also where to place it.

Like all official proposals, 23 teams will have to vote in agreement with the Ravens for the rule to be implemented.

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