NFLPA player reps claim NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's "application of disciplinary policy, and his unwillingness to appoint an independent arbitrator to hear appeals, has corroded the fragile trust between him and the players, who see him as judge and jury," according to Ken Belson of the N.Y. TIMES. Their "focus is the NFL's personal conduct policy, which Goodell has used to penalize players for transgressions as varied as aggressive hits on quarterbacks, bullying teammates, domestic abuse and scheming to deflate footballs." Few players "would dispute that someone who commits domestic violence should be penalized," but Goodell’s suspension of players for things like deflating footballs or taunting teammates has "led many fans, and some players, to complain that he is meddlesome and affecting the quality of play by sidelining some of the game’s top stars." Players also "want a neutral arbitrator, not Goodell, to hear their appeals." Giants LB and NFLPA Exec Committee member Mark Herzlich said, “We don’t want it to just be that you say this is what it is and we don’t get a chance to negotiate anything. What we want is fairness." Belson notes Goodell "has his defenders, including team owners, but even they express dismay that his disciplinary decisions have become a lightning rod and sometimes distracted from the game." Giants President & CEO John Mara: "It’s largely due to the social-media age and the fact that he had some high-profile cases and admittedly made some mistakes. And he’s become an easy target because of the money he makes. It’s almost gotten to the point where no matter what he does, he faces an avalanche of a criticism.” Still, Mara and many other owners said that they "supported Goodell’s approach." Steelers President Art Rooney II: "Once he makes up his mind, he certainly has a strong opinion on things. But I don’t think he’s someone who isn’t seeking input" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/9).
BAND OF BROTHERS: ESPN BOSTON's Mike Reiss noted Patriots QB Tom Brady "sounded a rallying cry to players across the NFL on Thursday night, calling for them to band together in the coming years during negotiations" for a new CBA. Brady, who is suspended four games for his role in Deflategate, appeared on Westwood One Radio prior to Panthers-Broncos and said, "It's a great opportunity for the players to come together and the players to recognize all the things we have negotiated, and as we negotiate hopefully a CBA extension, that we as players come together to really stand up for the things we believe in and continue to fight just as the players who fought before us." He added, "It definitely is a business. The players need to understand what's collectively bargained and put all the issues on the table to make for a better game. I think that's what all the fans would want" (ESPNBOSTON.com, 9/8).
SMOKE SCREEN: In Buffalo, Jerry Sullivan wrote the NFLPA "has a reputation for being soft, and it looks weak on the pot issue." If it is true that "half the players use pot, many for pain relief, the union has to take a stand." They "can’t allow Goodell to continue his ill-advised crusade against a drug that’s being legalized in many quarters and is far less damaging than opioids or alcohol" (BUFFALO NEWS, 9/8).
