AROUND THE NFL News & notes

NFL MEETINGS

Goodell: No discussions on officiating concerns

NEW YORK

NFL officiating was not a hot topic in the formal owners meetings that ended Wednesday, Commissioner Roger Goodell noted.

“There was talk on several occasions in the context of what the competition committee is looking to propose and implement and how to adjust to those rules,” Goodell said.

But there were no formal discussions on the floor during the two-day meetings.

Officiating has been a super-tense issue this season, in part because of several rules changes or points of emphasis, particularly regarding roughing the passer and helmet use in tackling.

Criticism of calls has come from almost everywhere: players, coaches, owners, media and fans. They reached a fevered pitch in September when Clay Matthews drew two flags for roughing the passer and reaction ranged from rage to describing the calls as “textbook tackles.”

Overall, roughing-the-passer calls are down since the competition committee clarified to game officials the techniques used in such hits during a conference call last month. There were 34 roughing calls through the first three weeks and 19 in the three weeks since the call.

“They always want consistency,” Goodell said, “but we will always have calls that are not clear. The focus of trying to protect defenseless players is something very important and we have a tremendous commitment to that.”

BUFFALO BILLS

Ex-Browns QB suddenly becomes starter again

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.

Derek Anderson went from having the Bills lure him out of semiretirement one week, to taking over the starting job for injured rookie Josh Allen the next.

So much for the 35-year-old having any chance of easing his way back into football some 10 months since attempting what Anderson once thought might well have been the last pass — an incompletion — of his 12-year career.

“Things that happen in this game never amaze me,” Anderson said after practice Wednesday, a day after being informed he’ll start in Buffalo’s game at Indianapolis on Sunday.

“I was fully aware of what I was getting myself into coming here,” he added. “Obviously, not ideal. But we’re going to do the best we can.”

It’s not an ideal situation because Anderson — a former Cleveland Browns starting quarterback — was signed to serve as Allen’s mentor. Allen, however, is now listed week to week after the first-round draft pick sprained the right elbow on his throwing arm in a 20-13 loss at Houston last weekend.

What’s also troubling is how the Bills (2-4) had little choice but to go with Anderson ahead of turnover-prone backup Nathan Peterman, who has already thrown four interceptions in less than four quarters of playing time this season.

Coach Sean McDermott acknowledged Peterman’s struggles as playing a factor in his decision, before adding: “I feel like this is the right decision for our football team right now.”

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Sources: NFL looking into Tannehill injury

DAVIE, FLA.

Dolphins coach Adam Gase described quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s worsening injury last week as unusual, and now it has drawn the interest of the NFL.

The league is looking into how the Dolphins reported Tannehill’s shoulder problem on injury reports last week, two people with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday. The people confirmed the NFL’s interest in the matter to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league wasn’t commenting.

The Dolphins declined to comment.

It’s common for the NFL to look into such situations involving a prominent player. The league is expected to contact the Dolphins to learn the details and make sure the injury report policy was followed.

Tannehill sat out Sunday’s overtime win against the Chicago Bears, and replacement Brock Osweiler threw for a career-high 380 yards. Tannehill has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against Detroit.

Gase has said the condition in Tannehill’s throwing shoulder worsened as last week progressed. Osweiler took “maybe a few reps” in Thursday’s practice, Gase said, but the injury report said Tannehill participated fully in the workout.

The Dolphins listed Tannehill as questionable Friday, and the decision not to play him was made hours before kickoff.

The Miami Herald first reported the NFL will look into the matter.

Associated Press