Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

The league’s owners meeting is happening over the course of the next week, and as a part of the meetings, the competition committee has proposed several new rules and changes to rules for the 2013 NFL season. Here are some of the proposals, thanks to the folks at FootballZebras.com

• Changes to replay rules: Coaches who throw a flag on a play which is already automatically reviewed  will still be penalized, but the play is still reviewable. Also, replays on incomplete passes that are deemed as catches and fumbles can be overturned up to the point of the fumble recovery.
• Changes to safety rules on field goals: Long snappers will be defenseless players, and no more than 6 players can be on either side of the ball at the snap.
• Removal of the Tuck Rule.
• Change to numbering conventions: Tight ends and H-backs can now wear numbers 40-49.
• Change to blocking rules: The “peel-back” block would no longer be a legal low block, so even within the tackle box, a peel-back block would draw a personal foul.
• Change to helmet hit rules: Runners outside of the tackle box can be flagged for using their helmet as a leading force, not just defenders.
• Point of emphasis: Knee and thigh pads are mandatory for all players, and are able to be checked on the sidelines by officials.
• Point of emphasis: Field maintenance and condition.

There were other rules and bylaws proposed, but these were the important ones I was able to draw from the tweets and notes surrounding the conference call. The tuck rule and replay change to allow fumble recoveries to be ruled on incomplete passes make the most sense to me, and would have an impact on play in 2013.

Now back to scanning the wires for more free agency news!

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The NFC defeated the AFC 65 to 32 in the annual NFL Pro Bowl today, and it was 3 players from a 7-9 NFC team who provided a good portion of the NFC’s big plays. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were represented well at the Pro Bowl, as Vincent Jackson, Doug Martin, and Gerald McCoy all made their presences felt in the yearly all star game.

Vincent Jackson was the first player for the NFC to score, connecting on a 36 yard pass from Drew Brees. He would add another touchdown later on, as Russell Wilson would find him for a score. Jackson finished with 6 catches for 91 yards and 2 scores, and was barely beat out for MVP honors by Minnesota’s Kyle Rudolph. Doug Martin, like Jackson, received a touchdown pass from Wilson and wound up with 48 yards from scrimmage in more limited action. McCoy was a mainstay on the NFC defense, chipping in with a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.

The NFC was able to overcome two early turnovers that cost them points, as an Adrian Peterson fumble on the first play of the game led to AFC points, and an Eli Manning pick-6 in the 2nd quarter would give the AFC hope of staying in the game. But when the NFC team held onto the ball, the offense just couldn’t be stopped. The NFC tallied 400 passing yards, and scored on 6 of 7 red zone trips.

For those who missed the game, it was admittedly not the most entertaining game of football. However, there was certainly more consistent effort than last year, and a segment the players obviously want to keep the Pro Bowl on the NFL schedule. There were a few Pro Bowl exclusive moments, like J.J. Watt lining up at wide receiver, and Jeff Saturday snapping the ball to Peyton Manning despite Saturday being an NFC player and Peyton representing the NFC.

Did you catch the Pro Bowl, Bucs fans? Do you think it’s worth having in the future? If you did watch, what do you think of the decision to give the MVP to Rudolph instead of our guy VJax? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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You can follow Leo Howell on Twitter for his thoughts on the Buccaneers, Tampa area sports, and other random topics.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans only have one more chance to see their players in action before the offseason begins, and that’s tonight at the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii. Gerald McCoy, Doug Martin, and Vincent Jackson will all represent the Buccaneers on the NFC squad. Here’s the information you need to know about today’s game:

Time: 7 PM Eastern

Date: Sunday, January 27, 2013

Television: NBC (Check local listings for NBC affiliate in your area)

Radio: Sirius XM NFL Radio

PRO BOWL ROSTERS

AFC Offense

* Denotes starter

(x) Denotes out because of injury

(y) Denotes replacement player

(z) Denotes out because of Super Bowl

AFC Defense

* Denotes starter

(x) Denotes out because of injury

(y) Denotes replacement player

(z) Denotes out because of Super Bowl

NFC Offense

* Denotes starter

(x) Denotes out because of injury

(y) Denotes replacement player

(z) Denotes out because of Super Bowl

NFC Defense

* Denotes starter

(x) Denotes out because of injury

(y) Denotes replacement player

(z) Denotes out because of Super Bowl

You can follow Leo Howell on Twitter and  you can also ’Like’ us on our new Facebook page.

Follow @ThePewterPlank for the latest Buccaneers news.