Post by TheShadow on Apr 2, 2007 18:38:46 GMT -5
www.nydailynews.com/
GMs agree: Goodell must deal harshly with Jones
BY GARY MYERS
DAILY NEWS SPORTS COLUMNIST
Titans cornerback Pacman Jones has stunning statistics from his first two years in the NFL: 115 tackles, four interceptions, 10 incidents requiring police attention, five arrests, no convictions, two cases pending.
Those stats will not get him into the Pro Bowl, but they could get him thrown out of the league for a year. Jones is being called to New York on Tuesday for a hearing with commissioner Roger Goodell, who said he will decide on discipline within 10 days. Bengals WR Chris Henry, who played at West Virginia with Jones and has been arrested four times in a little over a year, also will meet with Goodell on Tuesday.
Goodell surely would prefer that Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning be the face of his league, but, for now, it's Jones. The Titans defensive back has abused the privilege of playing in the NFL. Sitting him down for at least half the season, and perhaps all of 2007, would be appropriate.
"It has to be a hard punishment because he has made a big thing about it," one GM said. "Whatever the courts do, (Goodell's) got to come down hard on him. Everybody is watching, so he is going to take it to the limit."
Goodell does not have to wait to institute his stricter personal conduct policy (it will be in place by the April 28 draft) to punish Jones. But once the union signs off on the new deal, it will provide Goodell another layer of support when handing out suspensions. Jones has given Goodell plenty of material.
"God Almighty, he's got a litany of legal problems," another GM said at the league meetings last week. "We have to make a statement when these kids come into the draft and when these college free agents come into the NFL. If they have a history of problems coming from colleges, we have to get them some help right away, but they also have to know they are literally one step away from being suspended." So what would this GM do about Jones? He would sit him for one year.
"Based on what I have seen and heard, I would," he said. "What is refreshing is the majority of players want it also. They are tired of a few people screwing it up for the rest of the them."
Another GM said the player behavior issue was so dominant at the meetings that "it was brainwashing. Not only us, our wives. They had seminars for the wives. They brought an FBI person in and he talked to us about gangs and that we have to be more alert, ask more questions, look for more signs about character. They got the message across loud and clear."
According to the personal conduct policy, when a player is arrested or charged with "prohibited conduct" he must report it to the club and NFL security. Goodell can discipline Jones strictly because he failed to report two arrests last year. That's only part of Jones' legal resume.
For repeat offenders, Goodell may be able to suspend a player after he gets into trouble, but before the legal process is complete. Asked if that could lead to legal challenges, Goodell said, "I guess you potentially could, depending on the circumstances."
Clearly, Goodell and the NFL's lawyers are making sure they have a solid legal position before suspensions are handed out. "I don't do much without hearing a legal perspective at some point in time," Goodell said.
Jones faces felony obstruction charges in Georgia and could face felony and misdemeanor charges in connection with a triple shooting at a Las Vegas strip club in February that left a Long Island man paralyzed. No connection has been established between Jones and the still-unidentified shooter. Manny Arora, Jones' attorney, said last week that if Goodell takes action - especially in the form of a one-year suspension - before the Las Vegas case is resolved, he is ready for a legal challenge.
"It's going to end up being a big fight. There'll be injunctions," Arora told The Associated Press. "The NFL will fight this and that. We're going to draw it out through the court and the attention's going to go through the roof."
It already has.
That Cough sounds bad
Tom Coughlin should set an example and fine himself a game's salary for his Adolf Hitler remarks last week at the league meetings. It was offensive and just plain dumb. . . . Coughlin is attempting to create a more player-friendly atmosphere in the workplace. He is considering forming a veteran players committee to provide better "access to the head coach," he said. . . . Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, who is 31 and looks 15, says he expects Randy Moss to play for Oakland this year. Kiffin said age doesn't matter in earning the respect of players. "You are going to earn their respect by coaching them, by getting them better," he said. Kiffin is impressive and will do well in his next head coaching job - no one can win with the Raiders. . . . Titans coach Jeff Fisher was thrilled to answer any question not dealing with Jones last week at the league meetings. "There is a lot more going on in our world than just Adam Jones, believe me," he said.
Raiders high on JaMarcus
In the last three years, the Raiders have passed up QBs Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler to take OT Robert Gallery and S Michael Huff. That's why they will take LSU QB JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 pick this time around. Then the Lions, at No. 2, and the Browns, at No. 3, could each try to move down. The hot name is Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson, who at 6-5, 239 pounds, runs a 4.35 40 and is one of the best prospects at any position in 20 years. He is the best player in this draft. Lions GM Matt Millen won't take him, not after selecting WRs Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams in the top 10 in the last four years. Rogers was cut and Mike Williams has been a bust. Roy Williams is a Pro Bowl receiver. Millen will take Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas or trade down. The Bucs, at No. 4, are the team most likely to try to move up to get Johnson. There's a small chance Millen could take Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn.
The Browns need a lot of help and don't appear interested in Quinn. They could try to maximize their spot by turning it into several picks. Or they could stay put and take Oklahoma RB Adrian Peterson. Cleveland signed former Raven Jamal Lewis, but it's just a one-year deal. Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who has a record of 10-22 in two seasons, needs to win this year, which probably means he will not endorse taking Quinn. Browns GM Phil Savage knows Russell since he was 14 when Russell attended his football camp. They've both from Mobile and Savage could try to trade up to get him.
The Seahawks, Panthers and Dolphins are interested in former Texans QB David Carr, who was cut after Houston traded for Matt Schaub.
Washington has Lance fever
The Redskins have offered the Bears the No. 6 pick in the first round in exchange for No. 31 and LB Lance Briggs, who doesn't want to play in Chicago anymore after he was hit with the franchise tag, valued at $7.2 million. The Redskins are willing to give Briggs a deal averaging $7.5 million, including $20 million guaranteed. Here's the problem for the Bears: At No. 6 in the draft, they are past the first wave of elite players except for perhaps Quinn. But they are commited to Rex Grossman. So, if they move up to No. 6, they're paying about $15 million guaranteed to a player they don't love. Here's what I think will happen: Chicago will explore the market to see if it can get from No. 6 to No. 2 or 3 and into position for Johnson or moving back from No. 6 to Miami's spot at No. 9 (the Dolphins may want Quinn) and picking up extra choices. One other thing: The Bears shouldn't have to give the Redskins their first pick in the deal. If Washington thinks Briggs is good enough to warrant that contract, then he's worth the sixth pick in the draft.