NFL Notes: Narrowing Goal Posts, Bills & Saints

Narrowing Goal Posts

John Kryk of the Toronto Sun reports that the NFL will use computer chips planted in footballs to determine whether it’s time to narrow the goal posts.

NFL senior VP of officiating Dean Blandino confirmed that the NFL and the competition committee “continue to look at” making field-goal kicking more difficult.

“The discussion has really revolved around narrowing the uprights,” Blandino said. “That would be one way to affect both the extra point and the field goal. (Success rates) have continued to climb over the years as our field-goal kickers and that whole process has become so specialized, from long snapper to holder to kicker.

“We’ll do some studies this year.”

Bills

• Joe Buscaglia expects RB Mike Gillislee to get a shot at filling in for Karlos Williams following his recent suspension. However, Buscaglia adds that he could see the Bills still making a few phone calls.
• Buscaglia believes ILB Kevin Reddick is both a candidate to make the 53-man roster and also be on the roster bubble.
• Buscaglia can’t see the Bills having much interest in veteran free agents such as Anquan Boldin, Arian Foster, Dwight Freeney or Eugene Monroe. Out of this group, Buscaglia considers Freeney the likeliest and thinks Monroe’s asking price would likely be an issue for them.

Saints

• Nick Underhill of The Advocate takes a look at the Saints’ tight ends and their odds of making the 53-man roster this summer.
• To no surprise, Underhill considers free agent acquisition Coby Fleener to be a lock to make the team with Josh Hill and Michael Hoomanawanui both being “good bets.”
• That leaves RaShaun Allen, Garrett Griffin and Chris Manhertz as players who will be fighting for a roster spot in the coming weeks.