NFL's Ray Anderson Not Interested In NFLPA Exec Dir Vacancy

NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Ray Anderson yesterday "all but withdrew his name" from consideration to replace the late Gene Upshaw as NFLPA Exec Dir, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com. Sources said that Anderson had "been contacted by union representatives to informally gauge his interest" in the vacancy, but Anderson said that he is "content with staying on the other side of the league fence." Anderson: "I am, respectfully, not a candidate for Gene's position. I love my job and want to continue working with [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell, the NFL clubs, and Gene's eventual successor to make our league even better." While no formal search for Upshaw's full-time replacement has commenced, the NFLPA last week "quietly formed a sub-committee to choose a search firm that will assist a process to have Upshaw's successor in place by next March." The sub-committee consists of NFLPA President and Titans C Kevin Mawae, Jets FB Tony Richardson, Patriots LB Mike Vrabel, Colts C Jeff Saturday, Falcons CB Domonique Foxworth and former NFLer Donovin Darius. Once a search firm has been hired, the sub-committee will "work with the firm on establishing a profile for the job, identify worthy candidates, vet the candidates, narrow the list so that formal interviews can occur at the end of the 2008 season and recommend a successor by the NFLPA's annual meetings in March" (ESPN.com, 9/9).