Prior to "Decertification"-Litigation-Lockout, perhaps the most polarizing topic in NFL circles was the league's more stringent emphasis on illegal hits in 2010 even if players repeatedly bucked against their enforcement while claiming it remained unclear what constituted a legal vs. an illegal hit.

They better figure it out for the 2011 season (assuming it's played, of course), because flagrant hits will likely be drawing suspensions in addition to those heavy fines.

"Frankly, now that the notice has been given, players and coaches and clubs are very aware of what the emphasis is and we won't have that hesitation," said NFL executive vice president of football operations Ray Anderson, who didn't suspend any players in 2010 for illegal hits, on Wednesday.

"Everyone will be very clearly on notice now that a suspension is very viable for us and we will exercise it ... when it comes to illegal hits to the head and neck area and to defenseless players."

Defenseless players will now be classified as:

A quarterback in the act of throwing

A receiver trying to catch a pass

A runner already in the grasp of tacklers and having his forward progress stopped

A player fielding a punt or a kickoff

A kicker or punter during the kick

A quarterback at any time after change of possession

A receiver who receives a blind-side block

A player already on the ground

"We want to be much more clear on what can be a suspendable incident," said Anderson.

"The emphasis is on head and neck hits and what a defenseless player is. And we will work hard that people understand what is a repeat offender and what is a flagrant foul."

The competition committee is also mulling changes to kickoffs and proposes moving them up to the 35-yard line to curb injuries on the play. Other changes -- which will be up for discussion at next week's owners meetings in New Orleans -- could include making all scoring plays reviewable from a booth official without a coach's challenge and the elimination of a third coach's challenge even if he is successful on his first two challenges in a game.

Hat tip: AP