Commissioner Goodell wants to make game safer for players

Players from 12 clubs will experiment with newer, lighter knee, thigh and hip pads during training camp and preseason games, writes USA Today’s Michael McCarthy in a front page sports story.

“Many NFL players have abandoned knee, thigh and hip pads to try to gain a speed edge,” McCarthy explains. “Many wide receivers, defensive backs and linebackers wear little more than helmets and shoulder pads. But Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to make the game safer for players … The league also wants to set a safety example for college and high school players.”

“It’s not mandated for 2010. But we anticipate we’ll need to mandate it going forward,” said Ray Anderson, NFL executive vice president of football operations. “We’re not going to relinquish on player safety.”

For the complete story, click here.