NFL MEETINGS : Dress Code Addressed by League

The NFL owners never did get around to talking football here this week.

They began their annual meetings discussing franchise movement.

They ended them debating fashion.

In a development that was overshadowed by the Rams’ proposed move to St. Louis, coaches were told that the league will probably enforce its dress code next year by keeping offending players off the field.

If that happens, where once a player was fined $500 for wearing his socks too low, now he will stand on the sideline until he pulls them up. Other dress code violations include towels that hang too far out of pants and untucked shirts.

The league also is considering banning bandannas. No announcement on dress code issues is expected until after the players’ association has discussed them this weekend at its meetings in Hawaii.

“I think enforcing this thing different is a great idea,” said Coach Jim Mora of the New Orleans Saints, whose team was assessed the fewest dress-code fines last year. “If the league has a rule, everybody should have to follow it. I don’t like my guys dressing one way and another guy’s dressing another way.”

But not everyone is pleased.

“You mean before a game I have to run up and down the sideline saying, ‘Damn, fix your socks. Fix that towel. Tuck in that shirt?’ ” said Barry Switzer, Dallas Cowboy coach. “I’ve got a lot more to worry about than that.”

Bobby Ross of the San Diego Chargers said he probably will solve that problem by asking a member of his staff, probably an equipment man, to walk up and down the sideline and check players before each game.

Another major issue that was discussed but received little support was a proposal to increase the number of playoff teams from 12 to 16 to adjust for the two expansion teams.

“We already increased our playoffs from 10 to 12 (in 1990) in expectation of expansion,” said Commissioner Paul Tagliabue.