PHOENIX

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has plans for Thursday night, Sept. 7.

Goodell said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings that he expects to be at the season kickoff in Foxborough when the Patriots play host to an undetermined opponent.

Smiling broadly when asked about it, Goodell said “I plan to be at the kickoff game.”

After the “Deflategate” saga, Goodell did not attend New England’s playoff games, instead going to Atlanta for the divisional round and then the NFC title game. Of course, he did hand the Lombardi Trophy to Patriots owner Robert Kraft in February after the Super Bowl.

During Super Bowl week, Goodell said he was not avoiding Foxborough and would return if Kraft invited him. Kraft later said Goodell was welcomed at the stadium. Patriots fans might not agree after Tom Brady sat out his four-game suspension to begin the 2016 season.

Rule changes

NFL fans could see an enhanced flow of play and fewer restrictions on how demonstrative players can be in their jubilation after big plays.

At the busy league meetings Tuesday, owners passed several rules changes, adopting resolutions they believe will speed the game and improve player safety. They also put off until their May gathering in Chicago potentially allowing a bit more creativity in player celebrations.

Commissioner Roger Goodell asked that any adjustments in the rules be tabled so he could meet with players to “bring clarity to the rules while allowing players more ability to celebrate” while avoiding over-the-top demonstrations. He can expect lots of feedback from those players.

The team owners, who on Monday approved the Oakland Raiders’ move to Las Vegas, were apprised of ways the overall time of games can be shortened. Much of that will come through a reduction in the number of commercial breaks per quarter.

But a change in handling officiating of video replays also will serve that purpose, as well as provide more consistency in making calls, the league believes.

Referees will now watch replays on the field using Surface tablets, eliminating “going under the hood” to watch on television monitors.

League officiating chief Dean Blandino and his staff in New York will make the final decisions on those calls, with input from the referee, who in the past was the ultimate arbiter after consulting with league headquarters.

There are plenty of other things fans can look for in 2017:

—“Leapers” trying to block field goals or extra points have been outlawed.

—Made permanent was the rule disqualifying a player who is penalized twice in a game for specific unsportsmanlike conduct fouls.

—Crackback blocks by a backfield player who goes in motion no longer are legal.

—An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for committing multiple fouls during the same down with the purpose of manipulating the game clock will be instituted.