NFL Teams Differ In Policies Towards Social Networking

The Miami Dolphins are at the forefront of an NFL clampdown on Twitter and other social media, with new restrictions imposed on players, reporters and even spectators, The Associated Press reported.

Dolphin fans, as well as media at training-camp practices, are now barred from tweeting, blogging or texting, and at least six other teams have also imposed such restrictions on reporters.

But other coaches around the league aren’t up to speed on social networking.

"I don’t really have a Twitter policy. I don’t know what it means; I don’t know what it is. I don’t know MyFace, Spacebook, Facebook stuff. I don’t know what that is either," said Denver coach Josh McDaniels.

These new restrictions run contrary to a recommendation from league headquarters that teams allow tweeting and blogging during training camp practices.

A league memo to teams said: "It is not practical to prohibit media from doing some reporting (via tweeting, texting, blogging, etc.)."

However, the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions have now banned reporting from the practice field.

Many teams have urged their players not to tweet, while others are more lenient about the use of social media.

"When cell phones came in, one team had a player on the sideline during a preseason game who was on a cell phone. So you have to come up with rules when these new technologies come out," said Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips.

Many coaching staffs are fearful that important information might leak out. "Coaches certainly are paranoid," Phillips said.

Teams are worried that others may gain a competitive advantage from even the briefest tweet about injuries, personnel decisions, trick plays or food. Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie was fined $2,500 for using Twitter to complain about training camp chow.

The league encourages players to tweet, and about 300 do so, according to NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. The league had 772,473 followers on its Twitter site as of Wednesday afternoon.

McCarthy, who said he follows 600 Twitter accounts, said the NFL has been at the forefront as technology has changed.

"We have embraced Twitter. The commissioner tweeted from the draft. When done properly, it’s a tremendous opportunity to talk with fans," he said.

But some coaches, like the Dolphins’ Tony Sparano, remain unconvinced and while he conceded he’s not well versed on the new social media, he urged his players to steer clear of Twitter.

Sparano said their policy is that “our information is our information,” and it should stay in-house.

"Something they think is innocent can really hurt an individual, can really hurt team chemistry, and maybe can lead to somewhere down the road a loss of a game. I believe that. I’m one of those guys that will try to take that variable out of the way if you can. But it doesn’t look to me like something that can completely be controlled," Sparano added.

The Miami Dolphins now require the media to shut off all electronic gear – computers, cell phones, cameras – about 25 minutes into practice, when team drills begin. Meanwhile, they are also attempting to police fans — a daunting challenge for a team that drew more than 3,100 spectators last week’s opening workout.

Harvey Greene, Dolphins senior vice president for media relations, acknowledged that enforcing the restrictions can be difficult, but added they do have a concern about information flow and assured that they’re not looking over everybody’s shoulder.

However, these new media restrictions at practices open to the public have been met with strong opposition from the Professional Football Writers of America. Following complaints, both the Jaguars and Vikings lifted bans that prohibited reporters from tweeting.

Charean Williams, president of the PFWA, said it would be a shame for a beat writer to get beaten on a story by a 12-year-old in the stands who is allowed to blog.

"I appreciate the teams that have reversed their policies, and I think the league will listen to us and we’ll get this changed for 2010," he added.