CLEVELAND — Two of the NFL’s most significant offseason rules changes might not have happened if not for the Browns’ 2007 season.
The forceout rule has been eliminated, and place-kicks are subject to review by instant replay.
A desperation pass to Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. was ruled incomplete on the final play versus the Arizona Cardinals, costing the Browns a win. Winslow made the catch in midair but landed out of bounds after contact with defenders. The officials could’ve ruled he had been forced out by the defense and called it a catch and touchdown.
This year, a receiver must land inbounds for a completion, regardless of contact by the defense.
“It was a tough call, using a lot of judgment,” line judge Mark Steinkerchner of Akron said in a meeting Thursday with local media. “Now it’s an easy call.
“It’s a big advantage for defensive backs. They get the full benefit of a perfectly timed hit.”
The only exception is if a defender holds and carries the receiver out of bounds. Then it’s a completion.
Instant-replay reviews of kicks became a hot topic when Phil Dawson’s tying field goal in Baltimore hit the extension at the back of the crossbar and bounded back onto the playing field.
After the initial signal of no good and a lengthy wait, the kick was called good and the Browns won in overtime. Replay wasn’t permitted.
All kicks are now reviewable, except those that sail above the uprights. The officials standing at the base of the goalposts are solely responsible in that situation.
Other rules changes:
* The 5-yard incidental face-mask penalty was eliminated. A player who twists, pulls or turns the mask will receive a 15-yard penalty and be subject to further discipline. Ball carriers are subject to the same rule.
* One defensive player is allowed to have a speaker in his helmet. Only one player with the speaker can be on the field at a given time. If that person changes, he must report to the officials or face a 5-yard penalty. The communication with the coach shuts off with 15 seconds on the play clock.
* The winner of the coin toss can defer its choice until the second half.
Time flies
Many rookies are shocked by the length of an NFL season. Not left tackle Joe Thomas, who made the Pro Bowl in his first season.
“I was surprised how quickly the season went for me,” the second-year starter said. “It was such an enjoyable season, every game came down to the wire, every game was the Super Bowl.
“It felt like every game was a big challenge personally against some of the pass rushers I had. As a line it seemed we played a lot of good defenses that did a lot of different things. It was just a fun season that went real quick for me.”
Class of 2008
Four members of the Browns Legends Club will be inducted at halftime of Cleveland’s Oct. 13 game against the visiting New York Giants: cornerback Warren Lahr (1948-1959), defensive end Paul Wiggin (1957-1967), defensive tackle Walter Johnson (1965-1976) and running back/kick returner Eric Metcalf (1989-1994).
Extra points
Eleven former Browns players attended the Family Night practice at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Ernie Kellerman, George Lilja, Jim Houston, Sam Palumbo, Rich Mostardi, Ricky Feacher, Al “Bubba” Baker, Judson Flint, Tom Goosby, Travis Tucker and Tim Manoa.
* The newly created Cleveland Browns Kids Club will provide youths ages 13-and-under with benefits when they visit training camp and games. Fans can sign up at camp or by logging onto clevelandbrowns.com.
* Today is the first off-day of training camp.
Contact Scott Petrak and Brian Dulik at ctsports@chroniclet.com.

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