(Reuters) - The NFL will not hesitate in handing out suspensions for illegal hits next season and will propose a series of rule changes at next week's owners meetings to help bring down the injury rate on kickoffs.
Despite the current lockout that threatens to delay, and possibly wipe out, the 2011 season, the NFL's competition committee outlined on Wednesday a list of changes that will be considered at the owners meeting in New Orleans.
Concerned about the high number of concussions and other major injuries on kickoffs, the committee wants kickoffs moved to the 35-yard line from the 30, essentially shortening the field of play, while the ball will be spotted at the 25-yard line instead of the 20 after a touchback.
"The injury rate on the kickoff remains a real concern for us and for the players and for the coaches subcommittee," Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay, the committee chairman, told reporters on a conference call.
"The thought was that this creates even a shorter field (of play)," McKay said. "Our feeling was this was a way to deal with the injury numbers."
In another shift motivated by safety concerns, players making illegal hits would be more likely to be suspended.
"Going forward we won't have that hesitation to suspend," said NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson.
Although illegal hits were a point of emphasis in 2010, the league used fines rather than suspensions on what were judged to be unnecessary hits to the head and neck areas to give players and coaches a chance to adjust, he said.
The league also would like to make all scoring plays reviewable, not just those in the final two minutes of each half as the rules stand now.
If a replay official calls for a review, the referee would supervise it. Coaches would not need to challenge a scoring play.
Despite the current work stoppage, the league expects to release its 2011 schedule at its normal time in mid-April, spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Despite the current lockout that threatens to delay, and possibly wipe out, the 2011 season, the NFL's competition committee outlined on Wednesday a list of changes that will be considered at the owners meeting in New Orleans.
Concerned about the high number of concussions and other major injuries on kickoffs, the committee wants kickoffs moved to the 35-yard line from the 30, essentially shortening the field of play, while the ball will be spotted at the 25-yard line instead of the 20 after a touchback.
"The injury rate on the kickoff remains a real concern for us and for the players and for the coaches subcommittee," Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay, the committee chairman, told reporters on a conference call.
"The thought was that this creates even a shorter field (of play)," McKay said. "Our feeling was this was a way to deal with the injury numbers."
In another shift motivated by safety concerns, players making illegal hits would be more likely to be suspended.
"Going forward we won't have that hesitation to suspend," said NFL executive vice president Ray Anderson.
Although illegal hits were a point of emphasis in 2010, the league used fines rather than suspensions on what were judged to be unnecessary hits to the head and neck areas to give players and coaches a chance to adjust, he said.
The league also would like to make all scoring plays reviewable, not just those in the final two minutes of each half as the rules stand now.
If a replay official calls for a review, the referee would supervise it. Coaches would not need to challenge a scoring play.
Despite the current work stoppage, the league expects to release its 2011 schedule at its normal time in mid-April, spokesman Greg Aiello said.
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