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First-time offenders could face NFL suspension for notably flagrant hits to head

Tom Pelissero
USA TODAY Sports
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry (14) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium.

PHOENIX — The NFL will consider suspensions for first offenders for particularly flagrant hits to the head and neck area as part of a player safety emphasis that was presented to teams at the NFL meetings Tuesday, a person who attended the meeting told USA TODAY Sports.

That marks a significant shift from the common progression of discipline — from fines to larger fines to suspensions — instead taking players off the field for one strike as the league tries to remove dangerous technique from the game.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the league hadn't revealed details of the meeting.

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Such egregious violations aren't considered widespread. New York Giants president and CEO John Mara, a member of the NFL's competition committee, said there were only about four that fit the category last season.

"I think the intent there is to just try to change behavior and put that in the front of players' minds," Mara told USA TODAY Sports. "It's all about player health and safety at the end of the day. That's the focus."

The league also will emphasize officials' existing power to eject players for such hits to the head/neck area. There was no vote required because there was no change to the language.

Team officials were shown several examples of video of the types of hits it wants to eliminate, including Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry's vicious blindside block on Buffalo Bills safety Aaron Williams last year.

The NFL fined Landry $24,309 for the hit. Now, he could be suspended, if not ejected on the spot.

Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero.

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