NFL: Study says kickoff changes reduced concussions in '11

Changes to the NFL's kickoff rules appeared to account for a slight decline in the number of concussions reported across the league last season.

That's according to a new study of injury data provided by the NFL Players Association.

Jesse David, senior vice president at Edgeworth Economics, said the number of concussions reported on kickoffs decreased by about 43 percent from 2010 to 2011. The resulting slight drop-off in the overall number of reported concussions reverses a trend toward more head injuries in recent years.

There were 266 overall concussions reported last season, a decrease from the 270 reported in 2010. The number of concussions that occurred on kickoffs dropped from 35 in 2010 to 20 in 2011.

Rex Ryan ordered his players to cut out all the nonsense. When the New York Jets ignored their coach, it was time to run. And run some more.

A day after a 20-player throwdown highlighted a chippy practice, Ryan made his players run a series of sprints Tuesday as punishment for a few minor scuffles on the field.

"I think sometimes, you're trying to be physical, but being physical is one thing," Ryan said. "Going past that is something else, and that's what I didn't like."

With most of the media off to the side speaking with owner Woody Johnson, linebacker Demario Davis and running back Terrance Ganaway - both rookies - got into it after Davis was a little too physical on a play. Ryan immediately called everyone over to tell them to be physical, but smart and not selfish.

Another skirmish broke out a few minutes later involving cornerback Antonio Cromartie and rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill, with Cromartie threatening to punch him. Moments later, Cromartie and tight end Dustin Keller got into it.

Ryan immediately shouted at his players and had them all line up on the sideline.

Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt called Kevin Kolb's injury minor and expects the quarterback to play in Friday's preseason game against Kansas City.

Kolb left Sunday's Hall of Fame game with bruised ribs. He was limited in practice Tuesday, but Whisenhunt said he did not anticipate any problems for the former Eagles quarterback through the rest of the week.

On his first day as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Terrell Owens was in Los Angeles gathering his belongings. And yet he was still the talk of Seahawks training camp.

"Terrell Owens is an unbelievable talent. They brought him in because that's what Pete Carroll believes in is competition," Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin said. "He's going to come in immediately and compete for a job, and that's what we're all about here."

Owens agreed to a one-year deal with the Seahawks on Monday, before he returned to Los Angeles late Monday night. He was expected back at the team's facility later Tuesday for meetings and to be on the practice field wearing No. 10 on Wednesday morning.