NFL talks hits, potential rules changes
ESPN.com news services
Updated: March 16, 2011, 11:48 AM ET
The NFL will be more aggressive in suspending players next season for illegal hits, and also could make changes to instant replay and kickoffs.
Ray Anderson, the league's chief disciplinarian, said Wednesday during a conference call that repeat offenders or players committing flagrant illegal hits will have a much greater chance of being suspended during the 2011 season.
No suspensions were handed down in 2010 even after the NFL's crackdown on such hits, in part because "we were operating under the principle unless you have given sufficient advance notice of what the results could be, you need to be more lenient."
The league's competition committee will propose at next week's owners meetings moving the kickoff up to the 35-yard line and bringing a touchback out to the 25. It also will propose making all scoring plays reviewable by the replay official.
In addition, the full NFL schedule will be released in April as scheduled, regardless of the lockout.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
ESPN.com news services
Updated: March 16, 2011, 11:48 AM ET
The NFL will be more aggressive in suspending players next season for illegal hits, and also could make changes to instant replay and kickoffs.
Ray Anderson, the league's chief disciplinarian, said Wednesday during a conference call that repeat offenders or players committing flagrant illegal hits will have a much greater chance of being suspended during the 2011 season.
No suspensions were handed down in 2010 even after the NFL's crackdown on such hits, in part because "we were operating under the principle unless you have given sufficient advance notice of what the results could be, you need to be more lenient."
The league's competition committee will propose at next week's owners meetings moving the kickoff up to the 35-yard line and bringing a touchback out to the 25. It also will propose making all scoring plays reviewable by the replay official.
In addition, the full NFL schedule will be released in April as scheduled, regardless of the lockout.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Comment