Goodell trying to clean up the NFL?

With the 2007 football season set to begin, its time to applaud Commissioner Goodell for his consistent message to the players that he will not tolerate misbehavior regardless of the talent level. In just his second season as Commissioner Goodell has made quite a statement by suspending "Pacman" Jones for the entire 2007 season. Goodell really let the players know how serious he was when he told Michael Vick not to show up to training camp until after they can conduct an internal investigation. Meanwhile, what Goodell should be telling him is to take off the year so you can get your life together and then we'll discuss it. There is of course still time for Goodell to say that, and would no doubt be contested by the NFLPA. Goodell has not wavered on the Pacman Jones situation at all though where he has just barred Jones from participating in training camp during his one year suspension. The Michael Vick situation will show just how serious Goodell is, but with some of the other decisions he has made, he is well on his way to trying to bring some dignity to the NFL. Maybe when he gets the Vick situation settled, I think NBA Commissioner David Stern could use some help trying to turn around that disaster of a league as well.

Paul Blackborow