NFL Notes: League to allow group celebrations, use of football as prop

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CHICAGO -- The NFL wants to put some flair back into touchdown celebrations, allowing players to use the football as a prop, celebrate as a group and roll around on the ground again if they choose.

In an email from Commissioner Roger Goodell sent to fans in an effort to deliver "a more exciting game experience," the commissioner said the new guidelines came after conversations with more than 80 current and former players.

The league, however, will continue to penalize any celebration deemed offensive, including those that embarrass opponents or mimic the use of weapons.

"Players have told us they want more freedom to be able to express themselves," Goodell wrote.

That freedom had been stripped in many cases, with fans and media criticizing the NFL as being the "No Fun League." A 15-yard penalty often was the price paid for excessiveness.

Goodell's email also mentioned how the league is placing an emphasis on speeding up the pace of games. To go with that, he said the league knows "that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a spectacular touchdown"​ (see full story).

Jets: Richardson rips former teammate Marshall
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Sheldon Richardson likes the vibe around the New York Jets' locker room -- and Brandon Marshall not being there is a big reason why.

The defensive lineman, who feuded last season with Marshall, was asked after the Jets' first practice of organized team activities Tuesday if he wants to remain a part of the team despite persistent rumors he could be traded.

"Yeah, it's the team that drafted me," said Richardson, a first-round pick in 2013. "I enjoy being here. Other than that, yeah, the locker room's a whole lot easier to get along with now, so, yeah."

As reporters began to chuckle at the obvious reference to his beef with Marshall, Richardson smiled and began to shake his head.

"Y'all so thirsty," he said, grinning. "Let's just say we've got 15 reasons why it's better."

Marshall, of course, wore No. 15 in his two seasons with the Jets. The wide receiver asked for and was granted his release this offseason and is now with the Giants, where he also is wearing the same jersey number (see full story).

Bears: Glennon says 'the 2017 season is my year'
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Quarterback Mike Glennon was as shocked as anyone when the Chicago Bears drafted Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

A call from general manager Ryan Pace about 10 minutes later eased his mind. So did another one the next morning.

Glennon says "the 2017 season is my year" and that he is not worried about his future. He says he did not discuss the possibility of Chicago drafting a quarterback in the first round with the team prior to signing in March, and he says he still would have left Tampa Bay for the Bears even if he knew they would pick Trubisky.

Glennon spoke after Tuesday's workout (see full story).

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