Behring, Laser Beams Fill Docket for NFL Meetings

Amid the chaos of mobile franchises, mobile players and immobile officials, 175 NFL executives are gathered here this week to discuss . . . laser beams?

That is indeed one of the items on the agenda for the 1996 annual league meetings beginning today.

For the next four days, owners and front-office types will be debating everything from chop blocks to the use of laser beams in helping determine whether a team has recorded a first down.

The latter idea has about as much chance of winning support as Ken Behring, the Seattle Seahawk owner expected to make his first official presentation to the league concerning his proposed move to Southern California.

Officials from Seattle’s King County will also be speaking, although no league action is expected until the matter is resolved by a Washington court later this spring.

The Seahawks will leave here feeling left out. The Cleveland Browns move to Baltimore, and Houston Oilers move to Nashville, are expected to receive final approval this week.

And yes, the use of instant replay to decide controversial officiating decisions will be discussed for the fifth consecutive year since the sideshow was dropped in 1991.

And yes, despite the wishes of every coach and many general managers, even the most remote forms of instant replay are expected to be rejected.