March 24--Before the conclusion of the league meetings Wednesday, NFL owners voted in favor of nine rules changes. Most notably, teams approved a one-year trial that will subject players to automatic ejection if they're penalized twice within a game for specific types of unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties.
Included among the targeted infractions are taunting, the use of abusive language and attempts to punch or kick an opponent.
The new rule, proposed by Commissioner Roger Goodell in broader form at the Super Bowl, is the NFL's latest effort in its ongoing push to emphasize sportsmanship.
"This was a rule that brought teeth to that," Goodell said Wednesday.
Rich McKay, chairman of the competition committee, pointed to the 75 unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties from the 2015 season as proof that greater sportsmanship was needed league-wide.
"We felt like we needed a rule to make sure the players are held accountable to how we expect them to conduct themselves," McKay said.
Just for kicks: Owners also voted in favor of a one-year trial that will move touchbacks up to the 25-yard line. The intent of that change, as McKay explained, is to reduce the volume of kickoff returns, which the league characterizes as the most dangerous play in the game. And in the ongoing quest to heighten player safety and reduce head injuries, the 5-yard change in field position on touchbacks theoretically should discourage returners from bringing kickoffs out of the end zone.
Still, McKay made it clear that no one's certain as to how that rule change will affect the game. One unintended consequence could arise if teams try to land more kickoffs short of the end zone.
"We'll see," McKay said.
If the new rule is successful, it could be another step toward eliminating kickoffs altogether.
'You hate to see him go': Bears Chairman George McCaskey offered his best wishes to running back Matt Forte, who signed a free-agent deal with the Jets this month after spending the first eight seasons of his career in Chicago.
"As a fan you hate to see him go," McCaskey said. "He has been such a big part of what we have been doing over the last eight seasons. He's an outstanding example to his teammates both on and off the field. He has an outstanding work ethic. ... He's just a pro's pro and we wish him the best."
