Pros adopt a few college measures

0 Comments | USA TODAY, April, 2008 | by Jarrett Bell

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- NFL coaches are going back to school on the coin toss.

League owners have adopted the college rule that gives teams that win the pregame coin toss the option to defer until the second half decisions to kick off or receive the football. "It just gives you another option," Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio says.

Under the previous rule, NFL coaches almost always elected to receive the ball after winning the toss. College coaches defer more than 90% of the time.

Del Rio thinks the new rule will prompt NFL coaches to defer more than half of the time.

"But if you have Peyton Manning," he said, "you might take the ball and get up seven."

Added Cleveland Browns coach Romeo Crennel: "College coaches defer all...