THE MMQB's Peter King reports the majority of excessive celebration penalties will "disappear" this week at the owners' meeting in Chicago. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and his staff "met on at least two occasions this spring with a large group of players" to discuss the practice. The league "flagged and fined 26 players for excessive celebration last year." However, it seems the NFL realizes it is "asinine to use the 'ball as prop' reason to penalize players, and even more asinine to fine someone $12,000 for the simple act of expressing joy after scoring a touchdown" (MMQB.SI.com, 5/22). NBC's Mike Florio noted there is "still going to be a limit" on what players can do, which begs the question, "What will the rules now become and will they be clear?" Florio: "I believe what the entire approach should be is no flags at all, fine the players after the fact. This is all a reaction to criticism from fans and media about the No Fun League” (“PFT,” NBCSN, 5/22).
HEY '19: In DC, Mark Maske reports team owners "spent some time at the March meeting discussing" Goodell's contract, which expires in '19. Sources said that "nothing of substance was resolved about negotiating an extension." However, Maske notes it "clearly becomes a topic of more pressing importance as the conclusion of Goodell’s current deal draws closer." Negotiating a new deal "falls primarily to an owners’ committee" led by the Falcons’ Arthur Blank (WASHINGTON POST, 5/22).
CLOSER LOOK: In Boston, Ben Volin wrote the NFL "needs to continue investing in concussion research and prevention and to improve its policies." However, its policies "can only go so far," as evidenced by Patriots QB Tom Brady's wife, Gisele Bundchen, claiming he sustained a concussion last year. For many of the "smaller concussions, it’s ultimately up to the player to decide whether he is going to cooperate" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/21).
