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League may fine teams that incur multiple player safety fines

  
Published May 24, 2011 10:24 AM
DeSean Jackson

FILE - This Oct. 17, 2010, file photo shows Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (10) being helped off the field after an injury during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, in Philadelphia. In a series of interviews with The Associated Press, representatives of the NFL, the NFL Players Association and the four equipment companies that make every helmet worn in the league all agreed there’s no such thing as a football helmet that eliminates concussions _ nor is one on the way anytime soon. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)

AP

The NFL owners continue to focus on player safety at their spring meeting in Indianapolis.

Hours after approving rule adjustments designed to protect defenseless players, word is leaking out that the league is working on a plan to fine teams for multiple player safety fines.

The idea, per Judy Battista of the New York Times, is to encourage coaching staffs to coach proper technique. Greg A. Bedard of the Boston Globe says that three or four teams would have faced significant fines in 2010 if the rule was in place.

Essentially, teams that had multiple fines for helmet-to-helmet hits will face a pre-determined fine. Bedard writes that Commissioner Roger Goodell hopes to nail down the particulars and start enforcing the team fines in 2011.

Of course, the NFL may embark on the ultimate player safety initiative in 2011 by not playing football.