Goodell, Brady Among Big Names Not Present At Court Hearing

The NFL and NFLPA "will have sizeable contigents" at today's federal court hearing, but sources said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Exec VP & General Counsel Jeff Pash, as well as plaintiffs Patriots QB Tom Brady and Colts QB Peyton Manning, "aren't expected to appear" in court. Saints QB Drew Brees had already said that "a previous commitment will keep him from making the trip." NFLPA Exec Dir DeMaurice Smith, General Counsel Richard Berthelsen and outside counsel Jeffrey Kessler are "among the players contigent making the trip, and some of the named plaintiffs also will be in attendance." NFL Draft prospect Von Miller said that he plans to attend (NFL.com, 4/5).

The Chiefs will be represented by LB Mike Vrabel and G Brian Waters, who are both part of the 10-member NFLPA Exec Committee. Waters: "I don't expect a ruling right away, but I do hope what comes out of this is some finality, something that brings us a lot closer to knowing something" (K.C. STAR, 4/6).