The NFL owners are meeting this weekend along with the Competition Committee voting on some proposed rule changes, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took questions from the media on a variety of issues both on and off the field. Below and after the 'Jump' are the transcripts of both Competition Committee Chairman Rich McKay and Roger Goodell.
Rich McKay:
There were seven total rule proposals voted on today. Five of those passed; two of those did not.
The two that did not pass: One was submitted by Buffalo, which was a change in instant replay to move
the decision-maker from the referee to the replay assistant upstairs, which did not pass. The second was
to change the horse collar rule that we have and take out the exception that we have for the quarterback
in the pocket. It did not pass.
The other ones all passed, including Pittsburgh’s proposal to take our modified sudden death overtime
procedures and move them into the regular season. It did pass. All of the rest of them that I have
covered with you before, those all passed.
ATLANTA FALCONS PRESIDENT & CEO & COMPETITION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN RICH MC KAY
2012 ANNUAL MEETING MEDIA AVAILABILITY
PALM BEACH, FLA.
March 28, 2012
There were seven total rule proposals voted on today. Five of those passed; two of those did not.
The two that did not pass: One was submitted by Buffalo, which was a change in instant replay to move
the decision-maker from the referee to the replay assistant upstairs, which did not pass. The second was
to change the horse collar rule that we have and take out the exception that we have for the quarterback
in the pocket. It did not pass.
The other ones all passed, including Pittsburgh’s proposal to take our modified sudden death overtime
procedures and move them into the regular season. It did pass. All of the rest of them that I have
covered with you before, those all passed.
On the bylaw side, we passed Bylaw Proposal No. 1, which is a very simple cleanup trying to make
Thanksgiving day and Christmas day or Christmas night games the same as our other night games.
We tabled a number of the ones that dealt with the player and roster movements, including some IR
(injured reserve) proposals. We felt there was some really good input and we felt like we would table
them. We will vote on them in May. That would include the trade deadline; the overall roster limit of 90;
the one activation you could make off of IR; and the one concussion-diagnosis exception to our
active/inactive list that was proposed. We just have some work to do on those. We tabled those so that
in essence is our work of today.
On why Playing Rule Proposal No. 2, which would have removed the horse collar penalty
exception for quarterbacks in the pocket, did not pass despite that it may promote player safety:
We never are going to back up from player safety. We are always going to push the agenda as much as
we can. We appreciate when teams push it, also. In this instance, the rule was developed for an open
field tackle where we felt like a defender had a chance with an alternative to do something else, and we
felt like the injury risk was going to occur because the defender was able to actually use the runner’s
momentum against himself and swing and fall on the back of his legs. We never thought that necessarily
applied in the pocket. We watched the tape and didn’t feel that was a change that was also fair to the
defender. The defender in the pocket is fighting off an offensive player, grabbing and just trying to do
everything he can. We just didn’t see the injury risk and that is why we didn’t support it. It is not a place
we like to be because we are always going to promote player safety; we just didn’t think this had an
impact on player safety.
On discussions on Thursday night games and limiting travel:
There was. Howard Katz gave a report and gave us some guidelines that he is going to try to use as they
schedule those and when the commissioner creates the schedule. Those were shown to the teams and
talked about. The teams were pretty comfortable with those guidelines.
After he went through them yesterday, we asked people if anybody wanted to take an opportunity to
stand up and repeat it, and nobody took that opportunity. I will leave it to the written word for you to find.
On if resistance to the bylaw proposals that focused on the roster caused them to be tabled:
No, there were some really good ideas and suggestions. There is not necessarily resistance. We have
just got to work on the language a little bit. They do not need to be passed today. We will pass them in
May, we will deal with them and we will show them to the union and do all the normal steps. We knew coming in that we traditionally do that a lot with bylaws, and we felt like in this instance that was the way
we would go and we would table them.
On further discussing Bylaw Proposal No. 6 which would allow for a designated player to return
from injured reserve after a defined time period:
The IR rule, perhaps there are a couple of amendments we may propose to that, yes.
On if average time of game could decrease as a result of the approval of Playing Rule Proposal
No. 7, which calls for all turnovers to be confirmed by the instant replay official:
It potentially could. When you see it, it feels like it would slow the game down because you are taking
what would be a challenge and taking it upstairs for confirmation. We didn’t see that in the scoring plays,
and we think in the turnovers, it will have the same effect. It is pretty much even, although in this instance
the difference is we have a lot of plays that are turnovers, we go to a commercial break and the coach
challenges coming out of the commercial break, which now really slows down the game. You will have
none of that in this instance because the confirmation will occur before that. We like the way the
procedure worked on scoring plays, and we felt like this was a change we could make without adding
game time.
On how much time was added to the average game length by the instant replay official confirming
all scoring plays:
One second additional time with respect to replay added on
NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL
2012 ANNUAL MEETING MEDIA AVAILABILITY
PALM BEACH, FLA.
March 28, 2012
We had about an hour-and-a-half session this morning to discuss several of our initiatives in stadiums,
particularly the fan conduct and stadium security issues to try to make our stadiums as safe as possible.
We also had some discussion on a variety of other issues, including NFL Charities and our initiatives in
that area. I would be happy to take your questions.
On ideas to curb fan violence in parking lots and tailgating:
We have been at this initiative for several years. I think it is a matter of best practices. We don’t control all
of our stadiums or outside of our stadiums as you know. But we do believe there are certain things that
you can do that will make it a better experience and a safer experience for our fans. Our efforts will be to
try to make sure that is adopted in every stadium, because we have seen results. We saw it this morning,
when those initiatives are adopted; it does lead to a safer environment.
On if there should be a uniform code of conduct on how crowds are controlled or if the clubs
should handle that individually:
We don’t control all of those environments, so it may be difficult to do that. But there are certain elements
that are uniform across the league. Stadiums are different, and there are different factors that have to be
considered. But we do believe we have made progress in making our stadiums safer, but we have more
work to be done as you saw this year.
On reaction to the sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers and possible impacts on the L.A. market:
I am not as close to baseball; obviously it is an extraordinary price [$2 billion]. From what I understand
just from reports, it involves just the team and the land around it. I really don’t have anything beyond that.
On what he learned from the fans he was able to talk to regarding stadiums:
I have the good fortune of hearing from fans directly throughout the year. The one thing that really struck
me from the fans reaction was how important integrity of the game was. They put that as number one on
their list. One of the fans articulated it in a very simple fashion: I want to know what I am seeing is real
and that there are no outside influences. I think that resonated with people; it certainly did with me. This
was a chance for us to have a dialogue and an interaction between all of the clubs, the Commissioner,
and our fans. It was very well received, and I think we will probably do it again.
On if he is troubled that two suspended parties, Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis, are coordinating
a replacement head coach:
No. Again, ultimately the owner is going to have to make the final decision. They are suspended from
operations during that period of time, but they are going to have to make decisions on how the Saints are
going to be operated either as a group or however Tom Benson wants to do that.
On what he would say to the fans worried about the relationship between the league and the city
of New Orleans:
Listen, I understand the frustration of the Saints fans, and I have great respect for them. We will be there
with them for Super Bowl at the conclusion of this coming season. I worked very closely as we were
getting the Saints reestablished after the hurricane, so I saw firsthand the Saints passion and their fans’
passion. I clearly understand that frustration, but everyone has to understand that there are 32 teams, and everybody is going to have to operate by the same rules. If we don’t do that, the integrity of the
game, and what fans love about the game, will be impacted negatively. And that is my responsibility.
On if league looking into potentially accepting casino ads and if that contradicts gambling
concerns:
If you look at us versus other leagues, we are not changing our position on sports gambling and betting
against team sports. That is something we will continue to take a very strong position on. We have
evolved very slowly over this, and in fact have kept a real distance between gambling and the NFL. We
intend to keep doing that. But we have frequently modified that over the years. We do it on a regular
basis, and we are doing it now.
On if he is OK with casino gambling ads:
That is what we have to decide, and we will be over the next few weeks.
On the relationship between the NFL and the NFL Alumni group and concerns over their financial
issues:
I believe, in talking with the retired players, that they want an organization that is going to represent their
interests. The Alumni was chosen by several groups, saying this should be the organization. We have
provided loans, we have tried to do what we can to support that independence and allow them to get
started. What we want that to be is a self-funding and independent organization. That is why we are
willing to continue to try to help them get to that point. They have to stand on their own two feet at some
point; otherwise you are not truly independent. That is what we are trying to do is give them that
independence.
On where the line is on non-contract bonuses:
We are not going to allow cash payments to go between players, including club involvement or no club
involvement. That is impermissible. Our rules are quite clear. We will be sending them so they can see.
We are going to take that element out of the game.
On a quarterback giving his linemen a Rolex watch at the end of the season:
I would have to go back and look specifically on how that would fall under the policy. But we will get it for
you so you can see it.
On if South Florida has a realistic shot at getting another Super Bowl without improvements to
Sun Life Stadium and the timetable for the 2016 Super Bowl:
Timetable for awarding the Super Bowl I believe is this fall. If it is not, it will probably be no later than a
year from now. I do not know who is bidding on it. I know there will be quite a bit of competition for it,
because I believe it is the 50th anniversary game, and that is an important game for us as a league. We
are looking at plans to make it spectacular. If Miami is one of those cities bidding, we will certainly give it
full consideration.
On the salary cap violations in Washington and Dallas and what constitutes an uncapped year:
I have not spoken or heard anything directly from Mr. Burbank on a time schedule or any other
proceedings. The only update I can say, as several of you are aware, is that we did vote yesterday to
ratify the decision. The clubs supported that; 29 in favor, 2 opposed, and 1 abstention. So that is where
we were. On 2010, I think the rules were articulated. I would have to go back and look at them, but the
rules were quite clear. Whatever rules there were, they were followed. On which teams were fined and how much for excessive player fines; if he thinks there was any
impact:
I believe you’re talking about our policy of: if you have an extraordinary number of violations on the field
as safety violations. I don’t think the final count is in because there are still some appeals outstanding.
The way the policy works is that if a particular team has so many violations in those categories, once it
reaches a point, there’s also a team fine associated with that. The intent of it is simply to say, ‘We all have
an obligation in player health and safety and if your team is violating those rules at a higher level then you
as a team, including your coaching staff, have to determine how to get those players and the teams
playing within the rules – to respect those rules.’ I don’t believe – my guess is that it won’t be more than a
half a dozen clubs. That’s what it has been in the past. I think it’s four or five clubs.
How many teams have been fined:
Again, I think because of the appeal process, I’m not sure that can be finalized. I am certain that some
teams will exceed the maximum.
On having a timetable for wanting to make a decision on the penalties toward Saints players
involved in bounty program; how that might impact the team’s timetable on preparing for the
penalties:
Yes. I’m sensitive of that. We certainly are going to proceed as quickly as possible. I had mentioned to
you that I had spoken with several dozen of players. We have additional people we need to speak to and
I think the most important issue is that I need to speak to the NFLPA – which I expect to do before the
end of the week. I hope that they will be in a position to give me a recommendation at that point in time
that I can consider.
On their discussions about player health and safety including any results to having independent
neurologists on the sidelines to decide whether players can go back into a game:
We didn’t. We’ve discussed that directly with the Union. The question is going to come down to – is that in
the best interest of our players? I think both, the NFLPA and the NFL, believe that we should do
everything possible to promote player safety. One concern that both the NFL and the NFLPA, have
discussed is that medical judgments don't seem to be the issue. . When the doctors are making those
medical judgments – they make good ones – what we’ve been doing, including putting ATC spotters
upstairs and to allow them to have video, is to make sure they can identify when an injury occurs so if a
player doesn’t self-report, we can make sure those medical judgments are being made. While we’ll
continue to discuss that, the general view from both parties to date has been that’s (neurologists on
sidelines) not necessarily going to improve the medical care for our play players. I remind one other
piece: once a player has sustained a concussion, they can’t come back until an independent neurologist
has approved the fact that they’ve advanced that far – they can return to play.
On any closer to deciding on penalties for Saints players and his thoughts on Sean Payton media
comments:
I didn’t hear Coach Payton’s comments. I read a little bit of it in the media this morning. We had a meeting
early yesterday. Coach Payton was in our meeting at 8:30 with the owners, general managers and head
coaches. I’m not any further along in answering the first part of your question because I have been
engaged here obviously in these meetings, but as I mentioned earlier, I expect to be reaching out to the
NFLPA before the end of this week. We are scheduling additional hearings and discussions that we want
to have to further our investigation so I can be in a position to make that decision. On comparing teams that spent underneath what the estimated salary floor would have been in
the uncapped 2011 season to the penalties levied against the Dallas Cowboys and Washington
The issue – we issued the statement earlier this week – was did any teams gain a competitive
advantage. That was the focus that the NFLPA and we had going forward. That is why we reached an
agreement. We wanted to make sure coming out of this agreement that no one had a long-term
competitive advantage. That is why the NFLPA and we agreed on it.
On if yesterday’s ownership vote was necessary to decrease the salary cap the Cowboys and
Redskins:
No, it wasn’t necessary to proceed. It is not unusual, though, that we would ratify decisions. It is the first
meeting we have had since the decision was made. We do that on a relatively routine basis.
On the culpability of players involved in the bounty-rule violation compared to team personnel
and eliminating player-organized non-contract pay-for-performance bonuses:
I have been pretty clear that I hold coaches and executives to a higher standard. It is an important
element of what the NFL is all about. It is clear from the information, though, that players enthusiastically
embraced this and pushed this. That is troubling to me. I have said that before. We will have to look into
who is involved, how much were they involved and what influence they had and I will have to do the best I
can to make a judgment on how that should be handled from a discipline standpoint.
As far as going forward, we have made it clear and again this is what I would like to hear from the NFLPA
because that was my exact question: ‘How do we eliminate this from the game?’ We do need the
players’ cooperation to eliminate it from the game. They are a big part of this. If they feel this is important
to the game, we need to find solutions for that.
On if the concussion return-to-play investigation involving Browns QB Colt McCoy warranted
discipline to the club:
It did not. The big changes we made since that occurred – we actually reviewed that during this week – is
the trouble with when you have multiple injuries on one play. In fact, on Colt McCoy’s play, we did have
multiple injuries. You have medical personnel who are on the sideline trying to monitor what is going on
on the field in several different places. By putting the spotter upstairs and having video available, we can
assist the medical professionals in identifying when an impact occurs that should be evaluated so the
doctor can make the evaluation. When doctors have had the opportunity to make that evaluation, they
make good judgments. We have complete confidence in that.
On discussing an 18-game regular season:
We haven’t discussed that in a while. I have said on several occasions that I think we are going to have
to go through this offseason cycle and try to see what the negotiated offseason cycle is like, the impact it
has on the game, the impact it has on the individual players and then we’ll sit down and probably will be
discussing it later this year or early next year.
On HGH testing and the hindrance caused by the NFLPA’s request to first acquire a population
study consisting only of NFL players:
If the population study was the only thing in the way from us reaching an agreement, we would have an
agreement. Let me put it that way. We are prepared to do that if that resolves the issue. I sent an e-mail
to (NFLPA Executive Director) De(Maurice Smith) before I left, and unfortunately, our meetings sort of
crossed, but HGH was on that list and I expect by the end of the week I will be speaking to him about it
again. On if he spoke with Saints head coach Sean Payton during the meetings:
I did. I went over and said good morning to him, shook his hand and welcomed him to the meeting. Then
we got started.
On if they discussed Payton’s suspension:
We were just getting started with the meeting. I entered the room and I went over and shook his hand
and (Saints general manager) Mickey’s (Loomis).