The National Football League kicked around nine proposed rule changes this week but agreed to only seven of them. Two controversial proposals were left alone, at least for the time being.

The possibility of changing the “Tuck Rule” was considered but tabled until more information can be gathered. The “Tuck” controversy has simmered since the New England Patriots beat the Oakland Raiders in a playoff game last winter and went on to win the SuperBowl.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had dropped back to pass. He held onto the ball and brought his arm down, was tackled, the ball fell to the ground and was covered by one of the Raiders. However, the officials, after viewing a replay, ruled that Brady’s arm was in a downward passing motion, not tucking the ball back in to run.

Under the current rule, espn.com’s John Clayton says referee Walt Coleman made the correct ruling. Brady had not held the ball against his side, therefore it still was a passing motion, not a “tuck.”

Therefore, it was an incomplete pass, not a fumble, the Patriots kept possession, won the game, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Tennessee Titans’ coach Jeff Fisher is co-chairman of the Competition Committee. He said the members wanted to continue to research the matter by having team officials around the league study videotapes of the play to see whether they are satisfied with the rule as it is or whether it can be changed to cover a similar occurrence in the future.

The NFL owners’ next meet in Houston in May and the “Tuck” may be discussed some more.

Another rule left untouched is one which gives a team which puts an on-side kick attempt out of bounds another chance. The rule only penalizes the kicking team five yards and allows another kick.

This is probably best left alone. An on-side kick attempt is one of the more exciting plays in football and helps lead to close, exciting finishes.

Clayton says that among the seven measures passed by the Competition Committee and sent to the owners for approval was a rule which calls for a substantial fine against the home team if they pipe music, noise or cheers on the public address system when the clock is running and the visitors have the ball.

A personal foul will be called against any defensive player who hits a quarterback helmet-to-helmet during a fumble recovery or interception play.

Penalties can be called against any two players who chop-block a defender on a punt. Previously, chop-blocks were called only on offensive plays from scrimmage.

The committee sent the owners a proposal to not start the clock on a kickoff until the ball is touched by the receiving team. Currently this is done only in the last two minutes but officials feel they can added two plays to a game by expanding it.

Defensive players now will be allowed to bat or punch the ball to strip it from an offensive player. Before, this was not allowed.

Also, beginning this fall, the clock will not be stopped when a quarterback is sacked during the last two minutes of a half.

A player who touches the goal line pylon with one foot and gets the other foot inbounds will be ruled inbounds

Any deadball fouls against the offense will be marked off 15 yards and there will be a new 1st and ten series. This is to eliminate the kiss-of-death first and 25 situations.

They also approved systems to break ties in division standings and wildcard standings.

One of British nobility’s oldest traditions is in jeopardy of being outlawed. An impassioned debate this week in the House of Commons ended in a vote of 386 to 175 to ban hunting with hounds.

The British government’s rural affairs minister, Alun Michael, said the votes in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords are important in allowing Parliament to fulfill its promise to decide the issue. He promised that the Government will consider the arguments made in both Houses.

Now that the MPs in the House of Commons have spoken, the matter will be taken up by the more conservative House of Lords. There, the status quo has usually been upheld, but the lopsided vote in Commons, where the members are elected, is expected to put pressure on them.

The British news Internet site, ananova.com, reports that there is speculation in the pubs that there is behind-the-scenes dealing going on to persuade the Lords to approve a compromise measure which would allow licensing of hunts.

Michael said that he would announce the Government’s decision before Parliament’s Easter recess.

Tallyho.