NEW YORK — The NFL will look into changing instant replay rules in hopes of avoiding a repeat of the blown call by referee Ed Hochuli that helped cost San Diego a game last season.

The competition committee will propose at the league meetings next week that when the ball comes loose when a quarterback is throwing, replay can be used to determine if it is a fumble or an incomplete pass. Such a change would resemble the rules alteration made for down-by-contact plays two years ago.

In the final minute of a game at Denver in Week 2, Hochuli ruled a ball that slipped from Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler's grasp was an incomplete pass instead of a fumble. The ball was recovered by the Chargers and Hochuli later acknowledged his decision was wrong.

Under league rules, the play was not reviewable. The competition committee believes it is an area that should fall under instant replay reviews.

"We thought when we watched the plays happen, basically it happened the same as the down-by-contact, and it should be reviewable in the same context," Rich McKay, co-chairman of the committee, said yesterday.

Also, any hits to the helmet of defenseless receivers are being targeted for elimination. Previously, only helmet-to-helmet hits have been outlawed.

BROWNS

STALLWORTH GRIEVING

Cleveland Browns receiver Donte Stallworth said he is "grief stricken" over his car accident that killed a pedestrian on a busy causeway linking Miami and Miami Beach.

Stallworth said in a statement released by the team yesterday that his "thoughts and prayers are with" the family of Mario Reyes. Police say Stallworth was headed toward the beach when he hit the 59-year-old Reyes with his Bentley on Saturday morning. Reyes was near a crosswalk but it's unclear if he was crossing legally.

Stallworth said he could not comment further because the accident is under investigation. He was cooperating with police and no charges have been filed.

SHORT SNAPS

Cardinals: Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his left hip. The team said that the operation to repair a torn labrum and "clean up some loose fragments" was performed Tuesday by Dr. Marc Philippon at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colo.

Commissioner's office: New players union executive director DeMaurice Smith plans to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell today in New York. The union says this will be a chance for the two to get acquainted and no bargaining of any kind is expected.

Ravens: Baltimore signed backup cornerback Chris Carr and waived veteran Samari Rolle. Carr signed a two-year, $5 million deal. Cutting Rolle saves the team $4.1 million under the salary cap.

Saints: New Orleans agreed to terms on a contract with veteran free-agent and four-time Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper. The 33-year-old Sharper spent his first eight seasons in Green Bay and the past four in Minnesota.