540MINUTES

The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing Wednesday into the impact of head injuries on football players. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith both spoke to the committee.

By KIMBERLY HEFLING

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators have asked the pro football commissioner to tackle the issue of making more game day TV broadcasts available to fans for free on the NFL Network.

The league has said it provides free broadcasts in the home cities of competing teams. But 13 lawmakers said in a letter this week to Roger Goodell that the NFL is too narrowly interpreting what a home city is.

"The policy leaves behind NFL fans across the country simply because they live outside cities to which the NFL has granted franchises," according to the letter made public Wednesday. For example, the NFL does not consider the western Pennsylvania town of Johnstown part of the Pittsburgh Steelers' home market, the letter said.

The senators want quick action so fans in every market receive free TV access to games played by their closest team or the team it has been historically aligned to. Eight games will air this season on the NFL Network, which is available in less than 40 percent of households. The league is in a dispute with major cable companies over whether they should carry the channel as part of a basic package.

In a statement, the NFL said the goal is to provide the NFL Network to a national audience, but the "goal has been undercut by several of the largest cable operators."

Air it out: Senators want more NFL games on TV....

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has sent a memo to players and coaches on every team stressing that safety issues are important to the league and on-field conduct that risks injuries will result in severe penalties.

The memo, dated Wednesday, was sent to all teams with instructions that it should be distributed to all players and coaches.

Goodell's memo reads in full:

"Player safety on the field is important to all of us in the NFL. Football is a tough game and we need to do everything possible to protect all players--offense, defense, and special teams--from unnecessary injury caused by illegal and dangerous hits.

"From this point forward, you should be clear on the following point: Any conduct that unnecessarily risks the safety of other players has no role in the game of football and will be disciplined at increased levels, including on a first offense.

"Playing by the rules shows respect for your fellow players. No one wants to see unnecessary injuries. Let's have a safe and exciting 2008 season."

The memo comes on the heels of the league issuing a one-game suspension Tuesday to Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie cornerback Elbert Mack for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during an interception return in a game last Sunday.

Mack reportedly is appealing the penalty.

Goodell Memo Stresses On-Field Safety....

Associated Press


IRVING, Texas -- Adam "Pacman" Jones has been cleared to play for the Dallas Cowboys this season.

The cornerback-kick returner was suspended all last season, when he was with the Tennessee Titans, because of an accumulation of arrests and legal problems. He was traded to the Cowboys in April, then allowed in June by commissioner Roger Goodell to join the team in training camp and in preseason games.

Goodell, however, was still waiting to decide whether to let Jones play in the regular season. That news came Thursday, hours before Dallas' final preseason game.

"This is another step in the process," said Jones in a statement released by the team. "I am very grateful for this opportunity, and I understand my responsibilities to the Dallas Cowboys and the National Football League. Right now I just want to keep working hard so I can accomplish the goals that I have set for myself both on and off the field."

Jones has been arrested six times and involved in a dozen incidents requiring police intervention since the Titans drafted him in the first round in 2005. His last NFL game was Dec. 31, 2006.

Cowboys' Jones reinstated by NFL....

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ruled that the Minnesota Vikings did not tamper with Brett Favre in trying to get the quarterback to sign with them.

Goodell said that while there were conversations between then-retired Favre and Vikings coaches, that none of the conversations suggested Favre was soliciting a job or that anyone was soliciting his services.

The Packers had filed the charges, based at least in part between records of phone conversations between Favre and Darrell Bevell, Minnesota's offensive coordinator. Bevell is a former Green Bay assistant and a friend of Favre's.

Favre unretired and was scheduled to report to the Packers' training camp Monday.

Goodell says Vikings didn't tamper on Favre....

By Ed Werder
ESPN.com

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Brett Favre on Sunday, the three-time MVP said.

The Packers couldn't confirm the reinstatement, and said because it wasn't an offical business day for the league it wasn't possible Sunday.

Nevertheless, Favre was prepared to fly to Green Bay in time to attend the sold-out Packers Family Night at Lambeau Field, which more than 60,000 fans were expected to attend.

On Saturday, Goodell said he hoped the situation would be resolved by Monday, by which team and league sources told ESPN's Wendi Nix that he was expected to act on the reinstatement.

Goodell visited the Cincinnati Bengals' training camp on Saturday before heading north to Canton, Ohio, for the weekend's Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

"I'm not trying to interject myself," Goodell said in Georgetown, Ky., according to The Associated Press. "I was interjected into it because there was a tampering charge initially. I'm not looking for things to interject myself to. It's an issue that needs to be addressed because of the competing interests. You want to make sure it's done properly and within our rules. This is an issue that ultimately has to be decided between Brett and the Packers."

The Packers hold Favre's rights until his current contract expires after the 2010 season.

Tensions have built between Favre and the team over the past several weeks.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy again praised his players for not allowing the Favre situation to distract them.

Favre says Goodell has reinstated him....

Associated Press

CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said it's "ridiculous" to reward untested rookies with lucrative contracts and wants the issue addressed in contract talks.

"There's something wrong about the system," Goodell said Friday. "The money should go to people who perform."


Goodell referred to Michigan tackle Jake Long's five-year, $57.75 million contract -- with $30 million guaranteed. Long was the first overall draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in April.

"He doesn't have to play a down in the NFL and he already has his money," Goodell said during a question-and-answer period at the end of a weeklong sports symposium at the Chautauqua Institution. "Now, with the economics where they are, the consequences if you don't evaluate that player, you can lose a significant amount of money.

"And that money is not going to players that are performing. It's going to a player that never makes it in the NFL. And I think that's ridiculous."

Goodell on rookie pay: 'There's something wrong'....

BY JON WIENER and DAVID BLAUSTEIN

Terrell Owens has an idea for keeping his new teammate Adam "Pacman" Jones out of trouble.

Owens, who is being recognized this summer as an Alzheimer's Association Champion for his work for the foundation, says Jones  who was suspended from the NFL after a series of arrests, including one stemming from a shootout at a Las Vegas strip club  should join him in his charity work.

"I hope we can get him affected by [Alzheimer's] just a little bit so he can forget about those strip clubs," Owens joked in an interview with ABC News Radio.

Owens, who has experienced his own share of controversy in his career before coming to Dallas in a 2006 trade, believes "Pacman" will succeed in Dallas once NFL commissioner Roger Goodell lifts his nearly two-year suspension.

Jones has been granted permission by the league to join the Cowboys' training camps and pre-season games. A decision on whether he will be reinstated for the 2008 season will be made by September 1, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement on Monday, Reuters reports.

"Pacman's a great kid, and obviously he's a great athlete. If we can get him on the field and Roger Goodell can reinstate him, I think that's really just going to put his mind in a better place. The year he's had has really helped him get his life in perspective, and I think he's ready to do the right thing," Owens said.

Owens Gives Back, Looks Forward

FULL STORY....

By JAIME ARON

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Adam "Pacman" Jones can join the Dallas Cowboys for everything but the regular season — for now.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Monday he would decide by Sept. 1 whether to fully end Jones' suspension, which wiped out the entire 2007 season when he was with the Tennessee Titans. The Cowboys play their opener Sept. 7 in Cleveland.

"Commissioner Goodell told Jones that his continued participation in the NFL depends on demonstrating that he can conduct himself in a lawful and reliable manner," the league wrote in a statement. "Jones will be expected to continue the personal conduct program established for him by the NFL and the Cowboys and to avoid further adverse involvement with law enforcement."

Jones could be in action as soon as Tuesday, the team's next organized practice.

MORE....

ESPN.com news services

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last week in Atlanta about his possible reinstatement to the league.


The meeting was first reported by The Dallas Morning News.

Jones has not been allowed to visit the Cowboys' Valley Ranch facility or take part in any organized team activities, but he is hopeful the league will allow him to do so this week, according to the report.


But sources said if the NFL doesn't allow Jones to practice with the team, the Cowboys are hoping the league will allow him to undergo counseling at the facility and interact with his new teammates, the newspaper reported.

STORY....

by Alex Marvez

The NFL's personal conduct policy is about to get stricter — but not before every team is allowed to start with a clean slate.

FOXSports.com has learned new league rules resulting in fines for clubs whose players are suspended for off-field violations begin June 1. But the NFL is pardoning franchises whose players' legal problems occurred before then.

That is good news for a team like the Minnesota Vikings, which has a player (left tackle Bryant McKinnie) facing serious criminal charges following a February arrest. McKinnie, who was arrested on three previous occasions during his NFL career, could face disciplinary action from league commissioner Roger Goodell once the case is resolved. The Vikings, though, won't be financially penalized regardless of the outcome of the McKinnie case.

Teams that sign free-agent players who face possible suspension also will not be fined if such punishment is levied.

STORY....