PALM BEACH - The NFL's message is clear: Leave the props at home and don't work together on a dance routine.
Spurred by the apparent ineffectiveness of fines for end zone celebrations - not to mention creative displays by players - league owners voted 31-1 Wednesday for a permanent rule that would bring certain celebrations a mandatory unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The Raiders dissented.
Prolonged or premeditated acts involving two or more players, and any display with extraneous objects (like cell phones, poster boards and Sharpies) will receive an automatic 15-yard penalty that will be enforced on the ensuing kickoff. Those committing the violation can still be fined.
"Now, one of the things is that you can't hurt your football team's opportunity to win," Texans coach Dom Capers said. "That's selfish. All of a sudden, after you score a touchdown, we have to kick off from the 15-yard line? (They'll face) so much pressure from the coaches and the teammates because it affects the game."
In response to increasing numbers of end zone celebrations, the NFL two years ago began fining players for taunting. In 2003, the league levied 46 fines for excessive celebrations, up from 18 in 2002. The league also received letters from the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations asking for strict enforcement.
In wrapping up its annual spring meeting, the league also approved these changes:
Allowing assistant coaches an extra two days on the wild-card weekend to interview for a head coaching job.
Calling an untouched ball dead immediately when it hits the end zone on a punt, rather than wait for it to stop rolling.
Allowing coaches to call timeouts by signaling to any official; in the past, a player had to call the timeout.
Prohibiting returners from advancing the ball on a fair catch call if the ball has bounced.
Letting receivers wear jersey numbers 10-19 even though numbers between 80-89 are available.
Allowing teams to increase the number of players on the practice squad to no more than eight. This was done with the concurrence of the NFL players' union and is for one year. Coaches pushed for it, contending injuries often curtailed their ability to field full teams for drills, especially late in the season.
MORE FLAGS PLEASE: When it comes to defending the passing game, the NFL wants less bump and more run. And it will get more scoring too.
The league stressed that it will ask officials to closely monitor defensive backs who have contact with receivers downfield.
Initiated by complaints in the postseason from the Colts and Titans that defensive backs were allowed to be too physical, officials will now, as a "point of emphasis," ensure that receivers aren't manhandled past the first 5 yards from scrimmage.
Not all coaches love the direction.
"Whenever you hear points of emphasis, you get nervous," Carolina coach John Fox said. "The one year it was the tackle being beyond the line of scrimmage. We went into a game and had one guy with five of them in one game. The first couple of preseason games are going to be very interesting. I don't think too many coaches are going to deviate too much from what they've been teaching."
FALCONS: Free-agent cornerback Aaron Beasley signed. The eight-year veteran was released by the Jets last month.
GIANTS: Receiver Amani Toomer was given a five-year, $20-million contract that will keep him with the team through the 2008 season. He had three years left on his existing contract.
LIONS: Backup quarterback Mike McMahon was re-signed to a one-year contract.
PATRIOTS: Former Bears defensive tackle Keith Traylor was signed, filling a hole left by the departure of Ted Washington to Oakland.
- Information from Times wires was used in this report.
