NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's new contract "could be finalized by midweek," according to sources cited by Jason La Canfora of CBSSPORTS.com. Many NFL owners will be in N.Y. this week for committee meetings "ahead of the full ownership meeting in Texas" next month, and there is a "strong sentiment among many owners, including some on the Compensation Committee that has negotiated the deal, to get the matter fully resolved ahead of the Dec. 13 meeting." Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones on Thursday said that he "expects the full ownership group to discuss the matter at the December meeting." But Jones is "not in a position to dictate the protocol at this point, and, with the full ownership already authorizing the Compensation Committee to complete a deal back in the spring, several other powerful owners believe the matter can be resolved" in N.Y. this week. Those meetings "will take place" tomorrow and Wednesday. Sources said that Falcons Owner Arthur Blank, who chairs the Compensation Committee, is "expected to discuss the contract with members of his committee as well as with those outside this particular committee." Sources also said that Jones' powerbase is "quite limited on this issue." Sources said that besides Redskins Owner Dan Snyder, Colts Owner Jim Irsay has "indicated he is supportive of at least [some] of Jones' platform ... while the Ravens are also sympathetic to some of what Jones has expressed regarding the commissioner's compensation and this process." La Canfora noted Jones has "tried to recruit other owners, like the Bensons with the Saints, but it is unclear if any other ownership groups would back him enough to actually vote against moving forward with the extension" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/26).
SLOWING THINGS DOWN: ESPN The Magazine's Seth Wickersham said Jones' obstruction into Goodell's extension is slowing the completion of the deal and "having a more detailed process is gaining traction." Even if the owners "don't like the messenger, they are kind of coming around to his message." Jones has "four or five owners with him hard and I think there are 10-12 of them who are disengaged, the types that fall asleep at league meetings, just want this thing done and want it out of the headlines." Wickersham said a source told him, "I would be shocked if the contract gets done this week, without all the owners there" (SI.com, 11/27). In Boston, Ben Volin noted Jones reportedly "is backing down and calling off the dogs" in his dispute with Goodell's contract by saying he will not sue the league. Volin: "Does anyone really believe that?" Jones is "arguably the most powerful man in the NFL," and at next month's owners meeting outside Dallas, he will still "command the room and try to convince the other owners not to simply rubber-stamp Goodell's impending contract extension" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/26). In Austin, Cedric Golden wrote Jones should "end this current scrap by moving on and getting his mind back on his team." He has turned Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott's suspension into a "personal crusade when it's obvious the league isn't about to reverse its decision on his franchise running back." Jones should "follow Elliott's example and take his medicine." He "shouldn't spend his remaining years as the league's bitter old guy at the dinner table." Golden: "No one wants to go out that way" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 11/23). Meanwhile, in Boston, Dan Shaughnessy wrote, "Admit it, Patriots fans. Deep down you wish [Patriots Owner] Bob Kraft had been the one to take on Roger Goodell instead of Jerry Jones" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/23).
ENOUGH WITH LOCKER ROOM TALK: In Ft. Worth, Clarence Hill Jr. reported Jones on Thursday "made it clear" he does not support the possibility of "keeping all players in the locker room next season for the national anthem." He said, "That hasn't crossed my mind. ... We all know what I want." Keeping teams in the locker room, which was reported last week, is an "attempt to combat the social justice protests from players that have risen throughout the league the past two years" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/24). In DC, Valerie Richardson notes anthem protests "rebounded" yesterday in Week 12, as 19 players "refused to stand up for the national anthem, up from just five last week and following two weeks of single-digit protesters as teams held ceremonies honoring veterans." The Seahawks yesterday saw 11 players "sit or take a knee ... after two weeks in which all the players stood for 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in recognition of Salute to Service games recognizing the military" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/27).
