NFL Makes Changes to Try to Iron Out Replay Problems

National Football League owners met Tuesday to iron out the league’s use of television replays on judgment calls, including communication problems that have developed in some games between field officials and the press box official.

Commissioner Pete Rozelle said that the umpire now will wear an ear plug tuned to a radio frequency used by the replay official.

The new system, which will replace a buzzer system, was used as an experiment last Sunday in the Washington-Dallas game and was deemed a success. The league will try to put the new system into effect in as many games as possible this week and possibly all of the games the next week.

There also will be a change in terminology. Instead of using such words as complete and incomplete, the replay official will say confirmed or reversal, or more information needed, and repeat the order three times.

“There was no discussion about not continuing the (replay) system,” Rozelle said.