NFL reminds teams of rule on mimicking cadences

[October 01, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The NFL has reminded teams of the rule prohibiting defensive players from mimicking the offense's signal-calling cadence after Dallas accused the Washington Redskins of causing the Cowboys to bungle several snaps.

As part of a memo sent to clubs this week, the league reiterates that it's unsportsmanlike conduct for defenders to use "acts or words" that are "designed to disconcert an offensive team at the snap."

New Dallas center Phil Costa misfired on four snaps in Monday night's win, and afterward the Cowboys accused Washington of mimicking quarterback Tony Romo's cadence, which the Redskins denied.

The memo says that players and their coaches are subject to discipline if the NFL determines a team violated the rule.

[Associated Press]

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