NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday said game officials "missed at least one" illegal hit on Panthers QB Cam Newton by Broncos defenders during the league’s season-opening game Thursday, according to Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. However, Goodell "suggested that will be addressed by disciplinary action by the league." Goodell: "That’s why we have a process. Obviously hopefully they’re flagged on the field. And then if not, discipline can occur. [NFL VP/Policy & Rules Administration] Jon Runyan is in charge of that aspect of it. So he’s reviewing that and I assume he’ll come out with a decision in the next day or so." Maske notes the NFL hired Runyan in May to discipline "on-field infractions." He could "fine or suspend" Broncos LB Brandon Marshall and other Broncos players for Thursday night’s hits on Newton "even if those hits were not penalized during the game." Marshall "left his feet to deliver a helmet-to-helmet hit on Newton that was not penalized." Goodell made "reference to that play while saying he does not believe that missed calls for illegal hits should be made subject to instant replay review" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/13). ESPN's Bill Barnwell tweeted, "It took more helmet-to-helmet hits to Cam Newton than Antonio Brown twerks to draw a flag" (TWITTER.com, 9/12).
PROTECT & SERVE: In Charlotte, Joseph Person notes Panthers TE Greg Olsen "wondered why the NFL didn't do more to protect Newton in the first place." Olsen: "I don’t think you can talk about player safety and then have what unfolded. You can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth. Player safety sounds great. It’s a great offseason rallying cry. It sounds awesome. We got zero yards out of any of those hits. ... If you want to protect us, protect us on the field" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/13).
MAKING THE CUT? Pro Football HOFer Mike Ditka yesterday said that he "disagrees with those calling the concussion issue a death knell for the game of football, but he asserted that the NFL must do more to meet its responsibility to its players." Ditka: "To say that we have to abolish football, I think would be silly. I think we have to look at some things very seriously though" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/13). In Chicago, David Haugh writes if the NFL's new concussion protocol was a "player, it already would have been cut." No aspect of football at the NFL or NCAA level has "disappointed more people or squandered significant opportunities to back up so many words with actions in the name of player safety" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/13).
