The Bills are in the "process of gathering the facts" on offensive line coach Aaron Kromer's misdemeanor battery charge, and "early signs point to the team letting the legal process play out and remaining as diligent as possible," according to Tyler Dunne of the BUFFALO NEWS. But the Bills at some point "have a football decision to make with training camp two weeks away." In response to an "embarrassing wave of off-field assaults last year," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has "vowed to crack down on such violence." An NFL spokesperson said the matter is "under review" (BUFFALO NEWS, 7/14). In N.Y., Ken Belson notes Kromer's case will be "another test for the NFL, which is determined to crack down on employees of the league who have committed domestic violence and assault." It is "possible that the NFL puts Kromer on paid leave while it continues its investigation, something it has done in other cases" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/14). ESPN's Dan Graziano said it is “important that the league come down as hard on him as it would on a player in this situation.” ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth noted a "lot of players will be keeping their eye on how they discipline" Kromer (“NFL Insiders,” ESPN, 7/13). In Chicago, Rick Morrissey writes Goodell "will have to go as far as he can in his punishment of Kromer" if the alleged incident happened. The league's personal-conduct policy "leaves open the possibility of longer suspensions, given mitigating or aggravating circumstances." If the NFL "wants to send a message that it won't stand for violence, the off-field kind, then it has to be tough on coaches too" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/14).
PINK SLIP REGARDLESS? In Buffalo, Bucky Gleason wrote under the header, "Kromer Not Worth Keeping Around." No matter how the case unfolds, Kromer "should be sent on his way for first-degree stupidity and aggravated embarrassment." The Bills "don’t need this hassle with training camp around the corner, enough headaches on their roster and so much optimism going into their first full season under new ownership." Gleason: "Is this a guy the Bills need in their organization?" (BUFFALONEWS.com, 7/13).
