NFL looking to stage game in China
NOTES: New England Patriots owner Kraft seeking draft pick returned from deflategate ruling
The chairman of the NFL’s international committee on Monday confirmed to Postmedia the league is looking into staging a regular-season game in China.
Earlier in the day, Fox Sports’ Alex Marvez reported the league is “conducting a detailed analysis in preparation for a regular-season game that could be played in the world’s most populous country as early as 2018,” and some clubs already are anxious to play in it.
NFL Network then reported a regular-season game could be held in Germany in 2017.
Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt is chairman of the league’s international committee. He confirmed in an interview the NFL is working on plans to stage games in China and Germany, if not the calendar specifics reported by Fox and NFL Network.
“They’re both markets that the league is interested in,” Hunt said. “There’s nothing definitive in either market, but the league is working on both opportunities — not for 2016. Obviously, they would be down the road.”
An important take-away, Hunt said, is that the league no longer has to arm-bend to convince teams to play outside the U.S.
“There are teams that are interested in playing international games, which is really a change — and a welcome change — from several years ago, when the league had a harder time getting teams interested in playing overseas,” Hunt said.
“I think we’re starting to see a shift and acceptance of the fact that playing games internationally is not only good for the league, but it’s also good for individual teams.”
In addition to now staging multiple annual regular-season games in England, the league is expanding to Mexico this coming season. The Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans will play in Mexico City in November. What about Canada? “Obviously, it’s a market that’s a priority for the league,” Hunt said. “That’s been consistent for a number of years. I’m sure there’ll be an opportunity to get us back in Canada here in the near future.”
CHIEFS APPEALING: Hunt confirmed to Postmedia the Chiefs are appealing the harsh tampering penalties levied earlier this month.
Kansas City must forfeit its thirdround draft pick in April and its sixthround pick in the 2017 draft, and also pay a $250,000 fine, for allegedly making direct, impermissible contact 12 months ago with receiver Jeremy Maclin when he was still with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Maclin signed with the Chiefs shortly after free agency opened.
As well, the NFL fined Chiefs head coach Andy Reed $75,000 and GM John Dorsey $25,000.
“We did file the appeal,” Hunt said.
Asked when the appeal might be heard, he said, “We don’t even know what the process is going to be at this point. So we’ll find all that out in the coming weeks.”
Does Hunt feel more empathy now for the New England Patriots and fellow owner Robert Kraft, for all they’ve endured over the past 14 months?
“I’m going to stay away from the whole subject,” he said.
SPEAKING OF KRAFT: The Patriots owner wants his first-round draft pick back.
One of New England’s punishments in the Deflategate scandal last year was the team’s first-round draft pick this coming April.
Kraft told Patriots beat writers Monday he has officially written commissioner Roger Goodell to get that pick back and have all punishments overturned in the deflated foot balls scandal.
“I personally wrote a letter to the commissioner responding to his comment that if any new facts came up he would take them into consideration,” Kraft said, per reports. “I personally believe that when the league made their decision, they did not factor in the ideal gas law. They admitted that publicly last year.”
Kraft added he “prays and desires” Goodell will vacate all penalties against the Pats.
NFL Network’s Judy Battista subsequently reported, however, there is “zero chance” it will happen.
RULES UPDATES: None of the 29 rules or bylaws proposals were passed or rejected by owners Monday. But Mark Maske of the Washington Post reported owners probably will approve these rule proposals: (1) ejecting players who commit two unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties in a game, (2) moving touchbacks out to the 25-yard line from the 20, and (3) banning all chop-blocks.
RG3 IMPRESSES JETS: New York Jets owner Woody Johnson told Jets beat writers Robert Griffin III was “very impressive” as a person upon the free agent quarterback’s visit a week or so back. That said, Johnson said he remained hopeful the team can re-sign last year’s starter, Ryan Fitzpatrick: “I’m always optimistic. I’m not frustrated,” Johnson said.
NO KAP FOR BROWNS: Cleveland’s new executive VP of football operations, Sashi Brown, told local beat writers the club is not actively engaging with the San Francisco 49ers to obtain their disgruntled quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, in a trade. That probably means the Browns are high on RG3, who visited Cleveland as well. The Washington Redskins cut Griffin two weeks ago after settling on Kirk Cousins as starter.
LIONS CATCH ANOTHER: Detroit has signed a second free-agent wide receiver in the wake of Calvin Johnson’s retirement. Jeremy Kerley, formerly with the Jets, signed for one year with the Lions Monday, for about $1 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Caplan. Kerley joins Marvin Jones, formerly with Cincinnati, as a new pass target for QB Matt Stafford.