EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Hopefully you saw the story Wednesday about the 23 rules changes that are being proposed for discussion at the league's owners meetings next week.
One of them -- one of many on the docket about a change to instant replay rules -- came from the Detroit Lions and general manager Martin Mayhew. The Detroit proposal referenced replay being used to deal with an officiating error on a flag that was thrown, particularly relevant to the Lions because of the picked-up pass interference call in the Dallas-Detroit playoff game.
The picked-up flag incensed quarterback Matthew Stafford, head coach Jim Caldwell, Mayhew and the Lions' front office and pretty much everyone inside the Lions organization. Mayhew said at the combine he felt there was not enough support yet for the Detroit proposal to pass and he confirmed that again at Michigan State's pro day Wednesday, when he indicated the proposal will fail.
But he believes change is coming to replay.
"I think what's going to happen is there is going to be more dialogue on ways to improve it," Mayhew said of both the proposal and replay. "I think that really it may even initiate with the competition committee, how they want to revamp it. Obviously those guys have their opinion on the proposal and what needs to change and what can be more efficient."
In all, 13 of the 23 rules proposals -- there are also four bylaw proposals and a resolution about retractable roofs and halftime shows (seriously) on the docket -- were about replay. So many people clearly have a problem with it. Now it's about the NFL finding a solution.
"There certainly are issues with any sort of change that you can think of as to why you wouldn't change it," Mayhew said. "So you have to have enough, I think, positive reasons to make a change that aren't overwhelmed by negatives."
Mayhew declined to take questions on the signing of Tyrunn Walker, the re-signing of Rashean Mathis, the trade for Haloti Ngata or the losses of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, saying he would discuss those topics at the owners meetings in Arizona next week.
And now, a look around the Interwebs in search of Lions and other news, with the NCAA tournament getting underway for real Thursday:
Cornerback Trae Waynes continued to stand out at Michigan State's pro day and is unlikely to be there when the Lions pick at No. 23. Some other notes and thoughts from pro day. This was fun -- I talked to former Utah receiver Dres Anderson about watching Calvin Johnson almost, but not quite, break his father's single-game receiving record. The Lions re-signed Rashean Mathis. This shouldn't change their draft strategy regarding a corner. The draft will be critical for the Lions. A scouting report on Oklahoma DT Jordan Phillips.
Colleague Vaughn McClure, at Georgia's pro day, talked with the healing Todd Gurley, who visited the Lions on Monday. Gurley told McClure on his Detroit visit he met with Mayhew, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and running backs coach Curtis Modkins.
Bryan Fischer of NFL.com ranked all the quarterbacks who were drafted at No. 1, including Matthew Stafford.
A bunch of interesting Lions topics hit in this column by Justin Rogers of MLive.
This was extremely well done by Conor Orr of NFL.com about the history of scouting in the NFL. If you're into this stuff, it's worth the time.
Today's story on the NCAA tourney, from Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star, is about Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin and the headache that saved his life. Seriously. Enjoy when the ball is tipped around noon today. I will be.