NEW YORK - The NFL discovered last season fines did not necessarily stop its millionaire players from flamboyant celebrations.
So the league is planning to make any such demonstration an automatic 15-yard penalty.
The new penalty policy was recommended unanimously by the league's competition committee and likely will receive approval from owners when they begin their annual spring meeting Sunday in Palm Beach.
"Don't call us the no-fun league," said Atlanta general manager Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's competition committee Wednesday during a conference call.
"This has nothing to do with the Lambeau leap, the spike, the sack dance or throwing the ball over the goal post. But the demonstrations are becoming more sophisticated and more preplanned than they've ever been. That's why we focused on a penalty instead of just a fine."
As it has been for almost 20 years, the longest discussions at the meetings will be about instant replay. The committee has recommended it be installed permanently for the first time - it was put in from year to year until 2001, when it was extended to three years.
But the most interesting sign of the times is that the league considers penalties more effective than fines in curbing demonstrations. There were 46 fines for demonstrations last season compared with 18 in 2002, indicating to McKay and the committee fines were not a deterrent. The new penalties would be added to those for taunting.
After Terrell Owens celebrated a touchdown by pulling a pen from his sock and signing a ball in 2002, commissioner Paul Tagliabue made it clear such future demonstrations would be penalized. And officials called a penalty last season when Joe Horn pretended to make a cell-phone call after scoring a touchdown.
McKay said the demonstration penalty was prompted in part by letters from the NCAA and national high school associations worried the conduct set bad examples.
BILLS: Defensive end Keith McKenzie re-signed. The eight-year veteran saw limited playing time in his first season with Buffalo last year and had five tackles.
CHIEFS: The team reached agreements on one-year contracts with linebacker Monty Beisel, running back Derrick Blaylock and defensive tackle Eric Downing. All were restricted free agents.
GIANTS: Cornerback Terry Cousin, who played the past two seasons with Carolina, signed. An eight-year veteran, Cousin started 13 games last season, but lost his starting job after injuring his calf late in the season. He had 57 tackles (40 solo), two sacks and five passes defensed.
PACKERS: Cleveland granted permission to Green Bay to talk with quarterback Tim Couch. Couch's five-year stint with the Browns ended this month when the club signed free-agent quarterback Jeff Garcia to a four-year deal. The Browns told Couch's agent, Tom Condon, he could discuss a deal outside the AFC North for his client. Also, safety Mark Roman signed after starting every game last season for the Bengals. The Packers also re-signed offensive tackle Kevin Barry.
PANTHERS: Former Giants linebacker Brandon Short signed a three-year deal. Short started 45 games the past three seasons and combined for 234 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and nine passes defensed.
SEAHAWKS: Former Pro Bowl cornerback Bobby Taylor agreed to a four-year contract. Taylor, who spent all nine of his seasons with the Eagles, replaces Shawn Springs, who signed with the Redskins this month. Taylor missed nine games with a foot injury last season, but played in Philadelphia's two playoff games. He finished with 28 tackles.
ARENA FOOTBALL: The Storm signed kicker Matt George to replace Mike Black, who was released this week. George made 15 of 46 field goals and 48 of 56 points with Carolina last season. He becomes Tampa Bay's third kicker of the season, following Black and Ian Howfield.
- Times staff writer Frank Pastor contributed to this report.
