Around the NFL: Use of walkie-talkie costs Giants

The NFL fined the New York Giants $150,000, Coach Ben McAdoo $50,000 and moved the team’s fourth-round pick in next year’s draft to the end of the round because the rookie coach used a walkie-talkie for about five plays during the fourth quarter of a game against Dallas a little more than a week ago.

The Giants’ fourth-round selection in the 2017 draft will be moved to the end of the fourth round, after any compensatory picks in that round, but no more than 12 selection spots from where they finished in draft order for that round.

McAdoo used the walkie-talkie early in the fourth quarter after his communications system malfunctioned.

The NFL’s game operations policy prohibits the use of two-way radios by coaches to communicate plays during a game.

The policy states “coaches are not permitted to hold a radio during a game because they will not be cut off when the cutoff switch operator engages the cutoff.” The cutoff system is engaged with 15 seconds left on the play clock or when the ball is snapped.

Pro Bowlers

The Oakland Raiders lead the NFL with seven players selected for the Pro Bowl, which will be played Jan. 29 in Orlando, Fla.

Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Rodney Hudson, Khalil Mack, Reggie Nelson, Kelechi Osemele and Donald Penn were picked from the Raiders, who are in first place in the AFC West.

Six members of the Atlanta Falcons were selected, most among NFC teams.

Yell leader

Cornerback Richard Sherman is standing firm on his belief that his sideline outburst last week in a game against the Rams was justified. He also believes the dynamic of the Seattle locker room is such that the Seahawks can handle Sherman’s open questioning of the offensive play calling.

“Sometimes things need to happen like that,” Sherman said. “People need something to talk about this week so you’re going to talk about that. It worked out. The way our team works it worked out fine and we’ll move forward.”

Sherman remained adamant Tuesday that yelling in the direction of Coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was not out of line in Seattle’s 24-3 win over the Rams. Sherman was angered by the decision to pass the ball on first-and-goal from the one-yard line, a throw that was intended for Jimmy Graham and was nearly intercepted. He was seen on the sideline screaming toward Carroll and Bevell and had to be pulled away and calmed down by teammates.

Etc.

Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said there’s a chance defensive end Stephon Tuitt could play when Baltimore visits Heinz Field on Sunday after an MRI revealed Tuitt only sprained his knee when his right leg twisted underneath him three plays into Pittsburgh’s 24-20 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday. ... The Minnesota Vikings placed defensive tackle Tom Johnson on injured reserve with an injured right hamstring. Johnson was hurt Sunday in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts that probably knocked the Vikings (7-7) out of the playoffs. ... The Giants placed running back Shane Vereen and backup quarterback Ryan Nassib on injured reserve.