Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) One-third of game could be devalued if rule change passes.
So why invest money in a return man? Teams won't.Why would anyone sink money into a position that would be stifled by the new rules, not the opponent? It goes a step further. Teams won't have to invest money in coverage players, which will allow younger, cheaper guys to be used on kickoff coverage. With a yes vote next week from the league, the kickoff to start the game will be boring. Most of the balls will be booted out of the end zone and brought to the 25-yard line.
Now, I am all for player safety and love being a divergent thinker, but this rule would help teams that do not put an emphasis on the kicking game. Teams like the Giants, who have poor return and coverage teams, would benefit. Special teams is one-third of the game, and the league could take a large chunk of the game away, emphasizing offense and defense even more.
While the punt returns are still going to be a factor, players are often caught illegally blocking and a good return is about 10 yards. Not to mention, teams can kick the ball out of bounds (remember that concept, Matt Dodge?) without a penalty, thus taking away a great returner. With the kickoff being minimized and teams having the ability to take away the punt return, what is left for the special teams?
Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) NFL: Players still must follow conduct policy.
Even during the current lockout, NFL players will be held accountable for their off-field behavior.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told FOXSports.com Thursday the league plans to enforce its personal conduct policy even with players prohibited from reporting to team headquarters. Enacted by the league in 2007, the policy subjects players to fines and possible suspension at the discretion of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
"While players won't be able to get the benefit of our evaluation and counseling program during the work stoppage, the personal conduct of players and employees is an integrity-of-the-game issue," McCarthy wrote in an e-mail. "Any misconduct that is detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL will certainly be addressed when play resumes."
TEAM TALK
- Draft Prospect Review: In this edition we break down the top defensive back prospects and discuss which could be potential Patriots. (17.21 min. podcast)
- PFW in Progress - 3/17/11: Listen to this edition as we discuss recent comments Randy Moss made about a possible New England return, top draft prospects that could be Patriots and more. (2 hours)
LOCAL LINKS
- Mike Reiss reports Bill Belichick visited with the Red Sox at their game in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
- Ian Rapoport writes about Jerod Mayo keeping his eye on his brother Deron's future. Deron Mayo had his pro day at the University of Virginia yesterday.
- Bill Reynolds says this NFL strife is spoiling our sports illusions. "No one likes to see how hot dogs are made, right?"
- Shalise Manza Young reports NFL owners won't open their books because the players 'couldn't understand' financial information.
- Christopher Price details the letter sent to players directly by Roger Goodell, outlining league proposal.
- ESPNBoston has a story on the letter Roger Goodell sent out to all active players, outlining the league's last proposal to the union during labor negotiations.
- Mike Reiss notes Tom Brady and Tully Banta-Cain are the Patriots who stand to lose the most money in terms of workout bonuses.
- Ron Borges reports from Marco Island, Florida, where 100 players (retired and active) gathered for 5 days to discuss their situation and where they are headed.
- Mike Reiss looks at how the proposed kickoff rule change could affect Brandon Tate's value to the Patriots.
- Christopher Price offers a list of players who have had or will have private workouts or meetings with the Patriots.
- Mike Reiss looks at the revealing numbers by ESPN's Stats and Information that show one area of focus needs to be the pass rush.
- DJ Bean says drafting running backs remains an inexact science.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Looking at Randy Moss' free agent value.
- Christopher Price reports Tom Brady disciple Greg McElroy tops the list of QB Wonderlic scores.
- Robert Lee reports ex-Patriot Jarvis Green will be in town this weekend to host the fourth annual Jarvis Green Foundation Wine Tasting Gala. Proceeds benefit single mothers living in low-income areas of New England.
- Tom E. Curran talks with Brandon Meriweather's attorney, Adam Swickle, who scoffs at a report that quotes an "impeccable source" saying Pats' safety was the shooter.
- Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his weekly online chat.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Peter Schrager (Fox Sports) Patriots are good on draft day, too.
- Adam Rank (NFL.com) Pick Six: Rules changes that need to happen.
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Proposed rule changes would lessen excitement on kickoffs.
- John Clayton (EPSN) Kickoff rules changes probably will pass.
- Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Proposed rule changes make sense, but what about reseeding?
- Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) Reaction to new rule proposals.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Lockout jeopardizes big workout bonuses.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Thursday Draft watch: AFC East.
- Mark Kreidler (ESPN) NFLPA acknowledges draft weirdness.
- Gil Brandt (NFL.com) Pro Days wrap: Smith among those not named Gabbert to impress.
- Nolan Nawrocki (Pro Football Weekly) Low Wonderlic scores ding elite NFL prospects.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Quarterback Wonderlic scores are out.
LABOR LUNACY
- Doug Farrar (Yahoo! Sports) Goodell sends letter directly to players, bypassing NFLPA.
- Chris Chase (Yahoo! Sports) Chargers' Burnett calls Goodell a 'liar', says commish is 'full of it.'
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) DeMaurice Smith calls NFL offer "worst deal in the history of sports."
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Picking sides in labor fight? Only one matters.
- Staff (Pro Football Weekly) More than 100 NFLPA members meet.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) DeMaurice Smith won't say 18-game season is off the table.
- Chris Chase (Yahoo! Sports) Goodell responds to Peterson's slavery remark, Mendenhall defends.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Heath Evans: I wish I had Adrian Peterson's talent, but he's an idiot.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Chester Pitts has gotten, and is giving, bad information about negotiations.
- Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) NFL players reach deal for workouts.
- Adam Schefter (ESPN) Lockout threatens workout bonuses.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Mawae worries some players can't afford health insurance.
- John Saraceno (USA Today) Caught in the middle: NFL team employees could give up salary.
- Mike Florio (Nat'l Football Post) NFLPA* avoided breaking ranks for six days.
- Jason La Canfora (NFL.com) Players pledge unity, call for financial data at annual meetings.
- Clark Judge (CBS Sports) Players standing strong -- and better stay that way.
- Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Antonio Cromartie: Players should attend the NFL draft.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Ross Tucker says disrespecting NFL players won't work.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Continued sniping preventing negotiations.
- Clark Judge (CBS Sports) Player court 'victory' could wind up being anything but.
- Michael Silver (Yahoo! Sports) How to run a business - Communist Party-style.