Post by TheShadow on May 23, 2007 3:43:40 GMT -5
www.chron.com/
Whistle-blowers supported; medical care alliance sought
Chronicle News Services
NASHVILLE, TENN. — The NFL wants to take better care of players, both current and past, with a new system to encourage whistle-blowers protecting those with concussions and by working with other groups to coordinate medical care for retirees.
Commissioner Roger Goodell reviewed medical recommendations for managing concussions with NFL owners Tuesday during their one-day, spring meeting here. That includes protecting anyone anonymously reporting doctors pressured to clear players or players pressured to play.
Goodell, who has ordered teams' medical staff to a concussion summit in Chicago on June 19, said it's critical medical decisions override competitive decisions.
"The whistle-blower concept is there to ensure if anyone feels undue pressure or sees undue pressure to return to play before they are physically capable, we'll find that out on a confidential basis and look into it," he said at a news conference concluding the meeting.
Goodell also told owners that the NFL will be working with the players union, the NFL Retired Players Association, NFL Alumni Association, NFL Charities and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in an alliance to coordinate medical support for former players.
In other news
• Giants trade for Tynes — The New York Giants acquired veteran placekicker Lawrence Tynes from the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed conditional draft pick.
The Giants lost their kicker in the offseason when Jay Feely signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. Tynes' future with the Chiefs became tenuous when Kansas City drafted Justin Medlock of UCLA in the fifth round.
• Apologies follow dog fighting remarks — The Washington Redskins apologized for comments running back Clinton Portis made during a television interview ridiculing authorities for pursuing possible dog fighting charges against Michael Vick.
Also, tackle Chris Samuels said he was wrong for joking about dog fighting during the interview he and Portis did Monday in Norfolk, Va.
In the segment, Portis said that Vick would be put "behind bars for no reason" if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback were charged and convicted for dog fighting. Samuels laughed during much of the interview.
• Signings — The Oakland Raiders agreed to contracts with free-agent wide receiver Travis Taylor and running back Curtis Brown. ... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed tight end C.J. Leak, brother of former Florida quarterback Chris Leak, and released cornerback Kenny Scott.
Whistle-blowers supported; medical care alliance sought
Chronicle News Services
NASHVILLE, TENN. — The NFL wants to take better care of players, both current and past, with a new system to encourage whistle-blowers protecting those with concussions and by working with other groups to coordinate medical care for retirees.
Commissioner Roger Goodell reviewed medical recommendations for managing concussions with NFL owners Tuesday during their one-day, spring meeting here. That includes protecting anyone anonymously reporting doctors pressured to clear players or players pressured to play.
Goodell, who has ordered teams' medical staff to a concussion summit in Chicago on June 19, said it's critical medical decisions override competitive decisions.
"The whistle-blower concept is there to ensure if anyone feels undue pressure or sees undue pressure to return to play before they are physically capable, we'll find that out on a confidential basis and look into it," he said at a news conference concluding the meeting.
Goodell also told owners that the NFL will be working with the players union, the NFL Retired Players Association, NFL Alumni Association, NFL Charities and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in an alliance to coordinate medical support for former players.
In other news
• Giants trade for Tynes — The New York Giants acquired veteran placekicker Lawrence Tynes from the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed conditional draft pick.
The Giants lost their kicker in the offseason when Jay Feely signed with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. Tynes' future with the Chiefs became tenuous when Kansas City drafted Justin Medlock of UCLA in the fifth round.
• Apologies follow dog fighting remarks — The Washington Redskins apologized for comments running back Clinton Portis made during a television interview ridiculing authorities for pursuing possible dog fighting charges against Michael Vick.
Also, tackle Chris Samuels said he was wrong for joking about dog fighting during the interview he and Portis did Monday in Norfolk, Va.
In the segment, Portis said that Vick would be put "behind bars for no reason" if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback were charged and convicted for dog fighting. Samuels laughed during much of the interview.
• Signings — The Oakland Raiders agreed to contracts with free-agent wide receiver Travis Taylor and running back Curtis Brown. ... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed tight end C.J. Leak, brother of former Florida quarterback Chris Leak, and released cornerback Kenny Scott.