NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith "was critical of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on a number of topics Thursday, ranging from punishments to expanded playoffs to HGH testing," according to ESPN.com. Smith, in an interview with ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, "criticized Goodell and the league for a double standard when it comes to punishments, particularly in the case" of Colts Owner Jim Irsay, who "has yet to be disciplined after he was arrested and charged with two misdemeanor offenses in March." Smith said, "The commissioner understands that there is a significant credibility gap that exists in the National Football League. What troubles our players is the speed and the deliberateness of the punishment that they have seen in the past when it comes to a player. There isn't the same speed or deliberate action when it comes to an owner, and that's a problem." Players also have "been critical of Goodell for the delay in judgment against Irsay." Goodell responded to Smith's comments by saying that the "decision-making process about potential discipline for Irsay in the wake of official charges is ongoing." Goodell also "refuted Smith's assertion about a double standard." Goodell: "I think you know there are several players that we haven't taken any action on either. We like to get the facts, we like to be thorough, and we like to understand them. Charges were just filed last week. So I don't believe there is a credibility gap."
TESTING, TESTING...: Smith was "equally as pointed when it came to the topic of HGH testing and why it's been held up to this point." He said, "It's not being held up on anything that has to do with HGH. It's not being held up on anything that has to do with DUIs. It's not being held up on anything that has to do with the frequency of testing. It's being held up because one man wants to keep the power to be the judge, jury and executioner. That's not right" (ESPN.com, 5/29).
