The NFL and NFLPA "didn’t make it through a full 24 hours after the announcement of the league’s new personal conduct policy before the two sides publicly lashed out at each other with accusations and counter-accusations," according to David Steele of SPORTING NEWS. NFLPA Assistant Exec Dir of External Affairs George Atallah on Thursday "twice called the league’s description of their opposition to the process of creating the new policy 'despicable.'" The "point of contention" was NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent "twice taking shots at the motivation behind their objections, painting the union as caring more about 'criminal' players than crime victims." Vincent on Thursday appeared on ESPN Radio’s "Mike & Mike" and, when asked about the union’s opposition to how the policy was created, said, “We put victims and survivors first. And the public made it clear that the privilege of playing football cannot override rights of victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse. If that’s something that someone wants to negotiate, go for it." Atallah later appeared on NBCSN's "PFT Live," and "reacted even more strongly to Vincent’s portrayal of the union’s priorities, specifically to the 'criminal act' remark." Atallah: “That’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. That doesn’t even warrant a response. I don’t even know how you could come up and say that as a former union president. The facts are way different than what he’s portraying them to be, and it’s really, really disappointing that somebody’s who’s in that position, as a former player, would say something like that" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 12/11). Asked if the new policy violated the CBA, Atallah said, "At first blush, yes." He added, "There are a number of legal remedies we can take. We're not prepared to talk about any of those specifically in public, because we don't want to compromise our legal strategy. But there are system arbitrator remedies, and other remedies that we're looking to pursue. We would have rather spent our time engaging in a process that resulted in a personal conduct policy that everybody would have committed to" (SI.com, 12/11).
A GROWING CHASM BETWEEN THE SIDES: ESPN’s Marty Hurney noted the relationship between the NFL and NFLPA currently is “very strained” and said, "When things are working at their best, the NFL and the union are working together to try to solve problems." Hurney: "Everybody used to criticize the relationship that Paul Tagliabue and Gene Upshaw had, but it worked and it was good for the game. Right now, the two sides are so far apart and they’re really just not talking.” ESPN’s Adam Caplan said the relationship is “too adversarial, there’s no question about it." Caplan: "To make a partnership work, because remember the league always said that the players are partners, you've got to get in the room and you've got to be able to talk without leaving. We know that’s what the PA did in their last meeting. They’ve just got to figure out a common ground and that's something they've not been able to do.” ESPN's Adam Schefter said the union did not appreciate not seeing the new policy before it was released to the public. He added, “I don't think the NFL cared.” Hurney: “So now the NFLPA fights the league every chance they get” (“NFL Insiders,” ESPN, 12/11).
PLAYERS VOICE CONCERNS: Giants LS and player rep Zak DeOssie said of the new policy, "It still ends the same way it always did. With [NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell] as the arbitrator. We want neutral arbitration, and that will continue to be our stance." He added, "If the policy is universal for owners and team officials as well as players, how's it going to work when the arbitration officer is someone who's employed by the owners?" ESPN N.Y.'s Dan Graziano wrote the "whole thing has left a sour taste in the union's mouth," and union leadership is "taking the position that this was forced on them without their consent." Giants LB Mark Herzlich: "They're moving in the right direction in terms of changes. But at the same time, we want to have a say. I think it works best when we can all sit and talk about it" (ESPNNY.com, 12/11). In Jacksonville, Vito Stellino noted Jaguars DT and player rep Red Bryant also "has some concerns" about the policy. Bryant: "It sounds like you will be suspended with pay until you clear your name. That’s a little bit different than innocent until proven guilty." Stellino noted Bryant also is "concerned about the provision that the league can compel a player to cooperate with the investigation." Bryant: “It sounds like the commissioner is asking you to waive your Fifth Amendment rights. It sounds like there is going to be a new sheriff in town" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 12/11).
WHAT WOMEN WANT: REUTERS' Steve Ginsburg noted women's advocacy groups on Thursday "excoriated" Goodell's changes to the league's conduct policy, saying that it "does not do enough to help victims and hold players who commit domestic violence accountable." National Organization of Women President Terry O'Neill: "It's an exercise in public relations. Roger Goodell's idea of leadership is to fake out the public." Ginsburg noted O'Neill "wants economic support for the victim and a system to correlate the danger of the offense with the length of the suspension." Meanwhile, anti-sexism group UltraViolet said Goodell "has proven time and again that he is willing to sweep domestic abuse under the rug" (REUTERS, 12/11).
GOODELL NEEDS HIS OWN CONDUCT POLICY: In N.Y., Juliet Macur writes Goodell "shouldn’t be praised for doing something that ought to have been done ages ago." Turning in work "late deserves, at best, partial credit." It is "high time for a personal conduct policy for Goodell, too, one that is specific to the commissioner." Given the NFL's "current public relations problems, maybe a back-to-basics primer is the way to go." Macur lists "a few to begin with," including to "tell the truth" and "play nice." Also, "don't follow. Lead." Finally, "Clean up your messes" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/12).
