Lions GM not optimistic about expanded replay proposal

Among the many potential rule changes up for discussion at next week's annual NFL meetings, the Detroit Lions have proposed an expansion of the instant replay system to include penalties.

While a discussion on the subject is a step in the right direction, Lions general manager Martin Mayhew isn't expecting any movement this time around.

"I think what's going to happen is there will be more dialogue about ways to improve it," Mayhew said Wednesday, according to Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News. "I think that really it may even initiate with the competition committee about how they want to revamp it. Obviously, those guys have their finger on the pulse of what needs to change and what could be more efficient."

Of course, the Lions were directly affected by a controversial penalty call in a wild-card loss to the Dallas Cowboys this past season, when officials picked up a seemingly obvious pass interference flag that would've given Detroit a key first down late in the game.

While pace of games remains a concern for the league, allowing penalties to be reviewed would make the most of the video replay system and help to eliminate the kind of critical mistakes that can cost a team its season.

Mayhew doesn't expect an adjustment to the rule book this season, but remains hopeful that meaningful change isn't far off. 

"I think there will be some changes that happen eventually, and we're going to be open to those things," Mayhew said. "Whenever it gets proposed, we're going to be open to supporting something we can all agree on. Clearly something needs to be changed or there wouldn't be so many suggestions on how to change it. 

"From my standpoint, we're open to other ideas."