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NFL owners were almost giddy about the state of their game as they departed their fall meetings on Wednesday. So was Commissioner Roger Goodell.That's easy to do when TV ratings are up DeForest Buckner Jersey , viewership across all digital media is strong, scoreboards are practically exploding with all the points being scored, and the number of close games through six weeks has been eye-catching.There's also the prospect of attracting billionaires from other sports when NFL franchises hit the market now that a cross-ownership ban has been lifted. Going in the other direction, the football billionaires are free to purchase teams in baseball, hockey or basketball that are not located in their NFL areas."I will leave you with something that I have said to the owners many times," Goodell said. "I don't think there has been a better time to be an NFL fan. The quality of the games and the enjoyment that comes with that, I hear it from the fans all the time — that is No. 1 for them. No. 2 is the access to the games and the way that fans are able to engage with the NFL. There are more platforms and more opportunities to do that. The experience is better because of technology. All of that creates a much better opportunity for our fans to enjoy football and NFL football."From our standpoint, we look at this as a great moment for us: the tremendous growth and the tremendous popularity of our game."There are storm clouds ahead, though.The unilateral policy the league put together in May barring players from demonstrating against social and racial injustice on the sideline during the national anthem remains in limbo.The players' union and its members fought back against the policy that would allow players to remain in the locker room during "The Star-Spangled Banner," but they could not kneel or sit by team benches during the anthem.And while Goodell correctly cited the strong and widespread community involvement being done by the league and players, the protests haven't gone away, nor should the players be penalized for expressing their concerns.Colin Kaepernick, whose kneeling during the anthem soon was embraced by many of his peers, hasn't been with a team since 2016. That comes down to the individual teams, of course, and not the league itself, and it's uncertain that Kaepernick would return to the field if given the opportunity.But does anyone truly believe that opportunity might come?There's also been a fan and media maelstrom — with complaints by coaches and players, both publicly and privately — about the inconsistency of officiating. When a defensive player admits he let up on a hit to prevent getting a roughing-the-quarterback call, that's a bad sign. Those defenders have little idea what is a foul anymore.One week, lowering the helmet to initiate contact, by the offense or the defense, draws a flotilla of yellow flags. Another week, when "incidental contact" is added to the equation, the penalties decrease exponentially.To its credit, the NFL is trying very hard with its rules to make the game safer. One mechanism for that is consistency with implementation of them.Another way of keeping players healthier and safer would be by increasing the size of rosters on game day. The Colts went into a recent meeting with the Patriots minus five starters and lost a few more during the defeat.It's difficult enough trying to win in Foxborough with a full complement of players. With third-stringers on the field, well, give Indy credit for not getting entirely blown out.The senseless requirement that seven of the 53 active players be declared inactive on game day can lead to more such inequities. If teams are paying 53 guys, let them all suit up.Indeed, as we move forward, the union would be wise to seek expanded rosters, and not just for the added salaries. That would help make the game safer Arik Armstead Jersey , in part because fewer banged-up guys would wind up on the field.Also ahead, albeit not until 2021, is the expiration of the labor agreement. Already, both sides are building "war chests" for the likely lockout or players' walkout. Neither the owners nor the players have displayed an inclination for at least preliminary peace talks, if you will.Then again, why would they at this point, with so many indicators looking so positive? Only for 2019, we’ll see how chaotic this gets"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections 49ers Salary CapLevi’s Stadium Events49ers Transactions49ers Injury News49ers Press Conferences & Conference CallsNFL NewsOPI, DPIcalls and non-calls are now reviewableNew,96commentsOnly for 2019, we’ll see how chaotic this getsPDTShareTweetShareShareOPI, DPIcalls and non-calls are now reviewableThe league has taken steps to try and be accurate on the calls that decide games, and they may have just opened up a new can of worms in the process. On Tuesday evening, NFL owners voted to approve a rule proposal allowing offensive and defensive pass interference, both calls and non-calls, to be reviewed.In the first 28 minutes of each half (up until the two-minute warning), these calls are subject to coach’s challenges, just as fumbles and completed passes are. In the final two minutes these, like all other referee reviews, go to the booth. The coaches will still have the same two challenges they’ve had in previous seasons. This ruling will only be for the 2019 season as a trial of sorts. You see this with other rule changes like when the extra point went to the 15 yard-line in 2015 and the two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties as criteria for disqualification in 2016. After 2019, they’ll attempt to vote it in proper. The rule changes come after the blatant pass interference no-call in the NFC Championship Game that may have cost the New Orleans Saints a trip to the Super Bowl. While this is now subject for review, this now opens up a whole new problem. Personal fouls like late hits, roughing the quarterback, etc. are still not subject for review. While a PI can be erased, subjective calls like the aforementioned roughing the quarterback can still change the tide of games, if allowed.This very same error was what cost the 49ers years ago in a game against the Saints that may have decided home-field advantage in that year’s NFC Championship game. It will be interesting when these types of calls come up that cannot be reviewed, yet PI always can. With luck, the DPI calls will be the first thing to be placed under review and hopefully in 2020 things get expanded to personal fouls. Or, you know, the NFL does what’s worked in the AAF and gets a sky judge.