JACKSONVILLE – Anthems, injuries and rules.
NFL owners on Wednesday voted to require players to stand for the national anthem if they are on the field, giving them the option to remain in the locker room if they prefer.
"I do look forward to the conversation progressing with the organization, and the players, and talking to them about it. I can only speak for myself and what I do right now."
"It happened so late, and then this morning I had a certain amount of time," Marrone said. "I haven't talked with anyone on the organization yet, so it's difficult for me to make a statement from the organization to our players if I haven't spoken to anyone. As soon as I get done with those, then obviously I'll address it with the players."
Marrone on Thursday also addressed injuries, reiterating his policy and that of the team when it comes to injuries in the offseason.
Marrone said any player working in a limited role during OTAs won't be discussed as being injured. He also said the specific nature of injuries to players who are out won't be discussed. Five players currently aren't working in OTAs because injury issues: long snapper Carson Tinker, fullback Tommy Bohanon, defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., guard A.J. Cann and defensive end Dawuane Smoot.
Marrone during a 12-minute meeting with the media also discussed the NFL's new rule regarding kickoffs. NFL owners this week to promote safety voted to eliminate wedge blocking on kickoffs, also voting that players covering kicks may no longer take a running start before the kick.
"We're trying to see basically how strategically it can help us. I'm not as prepared to say exactly what we're going to do. We're still going through that process with it just coming out and making those changes."
