NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he is unlikely to reduce Patriots QB Tom Brady's four-game suspension even if requested to do so by owners because the league does not "allow individual clubs to influence an outcome." Appearing yesterday on Fox Sports Radio's "The Herd," Goodell said a decision like that could "affect other clubs." Fox' Colin Cowherd asked, "What if a very convincing owner that you respected said, 'Let's lower it to two, it's bad PR, it seems too harsh.' Would you listen to him?" Goodell replied, "I listen to everybody and try to take all those. But we've had these discussions. This was an issue just about a year ago right after I left the Draft" ("The Herd," Fox Sports Radio, 4/27). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said he used to think Goodell's "position was formed by the owners wanting to crush the Patriots." Kornheiser: "Now I would worry about this: If he doesn't reduce it ... I would worry that owners might fear, 'You know what, if he uses his power on them like that when he doesn't have to, he's going to use it on us, too'" ("PTI," ESPN, 4/27).
POWER TRIP: ESPN's Adam Schefter cited a source as saying that the NFL "doesn't see any need to reopen settlement talks" with Brady and the NFLPA regarding the suspension. The source added that the league "believes the time for those talks has come and gone" (ESPN.com, 4/27). Meanwhile, Goodell today was asked by CBS' Gayle King about Saints QB Drew Brees' comments that the commissioner had too much authority. Goodell replied, "We had an independent council look at this case. They went through all the facts. We did not participate directly in that. We cooperated, of course. We looked for cooperation from the (Patriots) and the other individuals" ("CBS This Morning," 4/28). ESPN's Trey Wingo said the league "won in court and ... their whole idea was to protect the shield." Wingo: "But in many ways, hasn't the league lost through this process and several other of the penalties they've imposed?" ESPN's Field Yates: "In the court of public opinion I certainly think it has, and now you've got some of the most notable players (including Brees) questioning the system in place." Yates added, "If you are an NFL owner ... is it best for the league if the commissioner continues to wield this power?" ("NFL Live," ESPN, 4/27). A PROVIDENCE JOURNAL editorial states it is "hard to see how the treatment of the Patriots" -- and particularly of Brady -- "has been fair during this overheated crusade" by Goodell (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 4/28).
