Mike McCarthy, Packers learn new rule the hard way

It's preseason for coaches too.

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy incurred a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for delay of game after challenging receiver Randall Cobb's first-quarter fumble. The problem: All turnovers are now automatically reviewed, so no red hanky was necessary.

Schein: Why Packers will win XLVII

Adam Schein provides six reasons why Aaron

Rodgers and the Packers will win it all in New Orleans in February. **More ...**

This rule is essentially the same as a problem that tripped up a few coaches last season. San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak were both penalized during regular season games for challenging calls on touchdowns. All touchdowns, of course, are automatically reviewed -- just like all turnovers are automatically reviewed now.

We suspect McCarthy won't be the only head coach that makes this mistake. Packers fans should just be happy it happened in the preseason (the Browns won the game, 35-10), because it's not a mistake any coach should ever make twice.

Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.