NEW YORK -- Roger Goodell believes the NFLs new player safety rules are working. USWNT Pro Shop . Goodell participated in a series of meetings on player health and safety at the leagues headquarters Wednesday. He said the feedback he has received from coaches, players, officials and administrators has been positive. "The overwhelming reaction is that players are adjusting to the new rules, the new techniques," Goodell said. "I do believe that this is a very positive shift in the culture. Youre always going to have things that dont necessarily fit into that culture in a period of time, but people are recognizing when these hits dont fit into the context of the game." Asked about appeals officer Matt Birk overturning the one-game suspension for Tampa Bay safety Dashon Goldson for a helmet-to-helmet hit on New Orleans running back Darren Sproles, Goodell said he had not read the decision. But he stressed that the $100,000 fine delivers a message to Goldson and others that such hits must be eliminated from football. "Its not that there wasnt a violation of the rule, and its not that there were not consequences for violating the rule," he said. "So that, in and of itself, is a shift, and a positive shift that the culture is changing. But the culture doesnt change overnight, and we will probably always have violations of rules." The Buccaneers could wind up being punished financially for excessive fines accumulated by their players this season. In fact, any team is subject to such penalties. Fine amounts under the leagues club remittance policy for player safety count toward a team maximum of $105,000. If a teams players go over that, the club is fined $50,000. If the total of fines gets to $157,500, the club must hand over another $25,000 and match any subsequent fines or suspension amounts. The most an individuals fine can count toward the club total is $50,000, and Goldson already has two infractions worth $80,000 in fines. Tampa Bay is at $87,825 in 2013 -- just two games into the season. Goodell also said the league has compromised as much as it can with the players union on HGH testing. The NFL and NFLPA agreed in principle to conducting such tests in the 2011 collective bargaining agreement, but the union has balked about procedural matters in the testing, and about the appeals process, for which the union wants neutral arbitration. Both sides have gotten much closer to finding a solution, but no testing is happening yet. "What does neutral arbitration add but more credibility?" NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said. "The majority of the policy that they already agreed to allows the commissioner to impose discipline, but an appeal is subject to neutral arbitration if the player so chooses. The players dont want an exception to the rule." The NFL will release its second annual health and player safety report next week. It will show that USA Footballs Heads Up Football program to teach the proper and safest tackling techniques has met with an overwhelmingly popular response. The NFL, which supports USA Football and the program, expected perhaps 100 youth football organizations to sign up this year; 2,800 have, covering more than 90,000 coaches and 600,000 players. "Next year, were going to look to get to all 10,000 across the country," said Jeff Miller, the leagues senior vice-president of health and safety. "We want youth football unified in a way that its taught safer and better." USWNT Shirts . Colton Sissons also scored for Milwaukee (19-12-8), which went ahead with a two-goal third period. Wade MacLeod and Greg McKegg replied for Toronto (23-12-4). USWNT Gear .com) - Graeme McDowell opened up with a first- round, 5-under 67 on Thursday and he holds a 2-shot lead at the WGC - HSBC Champions.Auburn, AL (SportsNetwork.com) - Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was fired on Sunday, a day after the Tigers lost the highest-scoring Iron Bowl in history. Johnson was in his second season leading the Auburn defense and has coached in the Southeastern Conference for almost two decades. The Tigers (8-4) gave up 34 points in the second half of Saturdays 55-44 loss to Alabama and allowed Heisman Trophy hopeful Amari Cooper to gain an Iron Bowl-record 224 yards on 12 catches. Auburn ranks 59th in the nation in total defense, including 85th in passing defense. The Tigers have given up 26.1 points per game. At this time I felt it was best for our program to make a change with our defensive coordinator, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. Cheap USWNT Jerseys. Ellis is a true professional and I would like to thank him for his contributions at Auburn. Johnson said in a statement that he understands its part of the business. I did think we were good in several areas, but overall it wasnt good enough, he said. Im disappointed for our players, but this is a results business. I want to thank coach Malzahn and Auburn for the opportunity the last two years. Auburn still has a bowl game left to play this season. ' ' '