The NFL following the Dolphins' bullying scandal is "even more determined to change the culture on the field," according to Paul Domowitch of the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Rams coach Jeff Fisher said, "We have an issue on the field. And we have agreed that we are going to get it under control as soon as we possibly can. We're going to effect change immediately. We have to change the conduct on the field. We have to bring the element of respect to its highest level back to our game." He added, "We're going to clean up the game on the field between the players. The in-your-face taunting, those types of things. The language. It's all in the (rulebook). It's all under unsportsmanlike conduct. There's no change in the rules. We're going to enforce the current rule" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 3/27). NFL VP/Officiating Dean Blandino said, “It is abusive, insulting language directed at the opponent. That is what we are trying to get out of the game” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 3/26).
MIXED REACTIONS: NFL Network’s Shawne Merriman said officials are "doing a good enough job" trying to clean up the game, but "this is still football." Merriman: "You have to be aggressive. This is an emotional game, a high tension level game, and you can’t take away every single part about it.” NFL Network's Jordan Babineaux said, “It is becoming a little too controlling and we are losing a little bit of the adrenaline that guys feel when they have success.” But NFL Network’s Mark Kriegel said, “Anything that can add to sportsmanship and the respect of the game, I am all for. I am tired of guys getting in everyone’s face. It is gratuitous. It is tired. I’m tired of people celebrating over prone bodies. It is unnecessary." Kriegel added, “What we are trying to do is eliminate bad sportsmanship without eliminating exuberance” ("NFL AM," NFL Network, 3/27). ESPN's Pablo Torre said, "This is a terrible, terrible decision. I don't know why Roger Goodell tries to eliminate everything that we enjoy." Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw: "This is what they're worried about? They can't get the one thing right that coaches need to be able challenge any kind of call? They don't see that as important? They see taunting as important?" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 3/26).
PATRIOT GAMES: In Boston, Ben Volin notes one of Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s proposals at the owners meetings this week "was tabled until the next owners meetings in May -- planting more cameras on the sidelines to aid officials with replay." Falcons President & CEO Rich McKay said, "We'll look at it again with our broadcast partners and how we might be able to accomplish that." However, the league "did pass one significant initiative for the 2014 season -- allowing referees to consult with the league’s officiating department during challenges to speed up the process and ensure the correct call is made." It "won’t quite be a centralized instant replay system like the NHL’s, but it’s certainly a step in that direction." Blandino said, "We expect it to speed up the process and be more efficient." Meanwhile, other proposals that were "tabled until May" include allowing retractable-dome teams to "open their roof at halftime" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/27).
POINT TAKEN: CBSSPORTS.com's Will Brinson noted though a proposal to move the extra point to the 25-yard line "failed at the owners' meetings, the league did decide to test out extra points from the 20-yard line during the first two weeks of the preseason." The extra point is "currently snapped from the 2-yard line." Fisher said, "We all feel we need to do something, but we're not sure exactly what. So, we're going to try this in two preseason games and see how it goes" (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/26).
EXPANSION COMING? In L.A., Sam Farmer reported there is a "good chance the NFL will expand the playoff field from 12 to 14 teams, and the change could come as early as the upcoming season." Goodell said, "There’s a tremendous amount of interest in this, possibly even to the point of support, but there are also things we still want to make sure we do it right." He added expanding the playoffs for '14 is "not out of the question" (LATIMES.com, 3/26).
WHAT WE LEARNED: ESPN.com's John Clayton wrote it has been a "tough few weeks for owners" with the passing of Bills Owner Ralph Wilson Jr. on Tuesday and Lions Owner William Clay Ford Sr. on March 9. Colts Owner Jim Irsay is "in rehab after being charged with four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance after being arrested March 16 on suspicion of intoxicated driving." Meanwhile, Clayton lists three things he learned at the meetings. The first is that the league "may be moving to a time in which all plays can be challenged." The tabled items "created some interesting speculation," including expanding the '15 playoffs, which is a "no-brainer for passage." Finally, the NFL "has its sportsmanship policy" (ESPN.com, 3/26).
