Here's how the NFL can solve its quarterback protection mess

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton was on to something earlier this week. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he previewed the likeliest solution to the NFL's quarterback protection fiasco.

The rule itself does not need to be changed, said Payton, who is a member of the NFL's competition committee. What the NFL wants and needs, he said, was for defenders to avoid "intentionally" falling on quarterbacks with all or most of their body weight.

"Listen," Payton added. "I think it's more about the consistency from crew to crew, and the message from crew to crew to get that on the same page. And that's with any new rule, but that's the biggest challenge."

In fact, a small group of referees are…