PFT: Troy Smith questions Goodell on emphasis of off-field conduct problem

[WoodysGirl]

POSTED 10:52 a.m. EDT, June 26, 2007

TOUGH QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMISH

A league source tells us that, after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell droned on and on in his best Paul Tagliabue monotone for nearly a half of an hour at the Rookie Symposium on Monday, one of the attendees asked the Commish to explain why he is so focused on the league's off-field conduct problem, and why he isn't talking publicly about the NFL's many positive aspects.

Per the source, Goodell gave a non-answer answer to the question, prompting the player who asked the question to say, "You haven't answered my question."

Though we admire the moxie of the player who asked the question (and, coincidentally, we really wanted to work the word "moxie" into a story today), we're not so sure that it is Goodell's job to serve as a cheerleader for the sport.

The NFL's value is obvious, and needs no P.R. polish. The Commish's current job is to ensure that the warts don't cause people to overlook the beauty marks. Since his predecessor didn't do much to stamp out the growing problem of off-field misbehavior, Goodell is hoping to send a strong message to the league as a whole that this stuff will not be, and should not be, tolerated.

We think it's working. Many players want to see the bad guys weeded out. Teams are now empowered to cut players who have been arrested; the release of Tank Johnson isn't the start of a new trend, but a continuation of a process that began earlier this year with the terminations of Ahmad Carroll and A.J. Nicholson and E.J. Kuale and Richard Seigler.

Goodell's goal is (we believe) to make sure everyone realizes that this is a serious issue, and in the process to get people to change their behavior.

When that happens, Goodell can sit back and let the league's many virtues continue to speak for themselves.

With all that said, we like the idea that players are willing to raise hard questions in a respectful and appropriate manner, and we expect that Goodell will encourage others to join in the dialogue. Though Goodell has been portrayed by some as an agent of doom and gloom, we think that he's simply being honest about the existence of the things that could eventually damage the sport, and diligent about repairing them.

 

[AbeBeta]

Love to know who the kid was. That's a smart question -- far better than the one that LenDale White reportedly asked last year.

My bet is that it was likely a relatively high profile guy since few others would be likely to question the hard-nosed commish. My guess is Brady Quinn.

 

[Vintage]

Love to know who the kid was. That's a smart question -- far better than the one that LenDale White reportedly asked last year.

My bet is that it was likely a relatively high profile guy since few others would be likely to question the hard-nosed commish. My guess is Brady Quinn.

What did LenDale White ask?

 

[bobtheflob]

What did LenDale White as last year?

 

[Yeagermeister]

That guy got put on Goodell's watch list after that

 

[Bull Frog]

Per the source, Goodell gave a non-answer answer to the question, prompting the player who asked the question to say, "You haven't answered my question."

Though we admire the moxie of the player who asked the question (and, coincidentally, we really wanted to work the word "moxie" into a story today), we're not so sure that it is Goodell's job to serve as a cheerleader for the sport.

The league source should watch the NFL Network. They showed the exchange between the player and Goodell. The question was asked by Troy Smith. Goodell said he always talks about the positive work and charity performed by the players, but the press doesn't report it, they only report the negative stories.

 

[WoodysGirl]

What did LenDale White ask?

What did LenDale White as last year?

Last month, former NFL defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo was the first openly gay player to speak at the rookie symposium.

Asked one attendee during Tuaolo's session, "Is it offensive if I call you a faggot if you are a faggot?"

Many readers were curious as to the identity of the person who asked the question. On Tuesday, we received a tip in this regard, and we then obtained confirmation from a league source.

The question, we're told, was posed by former USC tailback LenDale White, second-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans.

 

[Crown Royal]

Last month, former NFL defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo was the first openly gay player to speak at the rookie symposium.

Asked one attendee during Tuaolo's session, "Is it offensive if I call you a faggot if you are a faggot?"

Many readers were curious as to the identity of the person who asked the question. On Tuesday, we received a tip in this regard, and we then obtained confirmation from a league source.

The question, we're told, was posed by former USC tailback LenDale White, second-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans.

If it offensive if I call him a moron if he is a moron?

 

[AbeBeta]

The league source should watch the NFL Network. They showed the exchange between the player and Goodell. The question was asked by Troy Smith. Goodell said he always talks about the positive work and charity performed by the players, but the press doesn't report it, they only report the negative stories.

Good for Smith. QBs are smart.

 

[joseephuss]

I know Goodell is the new commissioner, but I don't see why they keep thinking he is the only one involved in the conduct policies. The NFLPA and the owners are both pushing for something to be done about off the field issues. If they didn't do that, I doubt anything would be done. It isn't as if Goodell came in and made these changes on his own. He is doing his job and following the wishes of the league. If the owners, coaches, players and sponsors all pushed for yellow shoes, then Goodell would be out there pushing for yellow shoes.

 

[joseephuss]

If it offensive if I call him a fat moron if he is a fat moron?

That is a better description of Lendale.

 

[AbeBeta]

I know Goodell is the new commissioner, but I don't see why they keep thinking he is the only one involved in the conduct policies.

Could it be because that is all the media report?

 

[The Duke]

Good for Smith. QBs are smart.

Yeah, good for Smith. He needs someone to point out the obvious bottom line...that bad press means costing everybody including the players money.

Idiot. Did he graduate from OSU?

 

[AbeBeta]

Yeah, good for Smith. He needs someone to point out the obvious bottom line...that bad press means costing everybody including the players money.

Idiot. Did he graduate from OSU?

Huh? You don't get good press from punishing people either. He pointed to that lack of balance in the focus.

 

[bobtheflob]

Last month, former NFL defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo was the first openly gay player to speak at the rookie symposium.

Asked one attendee during Tuaolo's session, "Is it offensive if I call you a faggot if you are a faggot?"

Many readers were curious as to the identity of the person who asked the question. On Tuesday, we received a tip in this regard, and we then obtained confirmation from a league source.

The question, we're told, was posed by former USC tailback LenDale White, second-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans.

Man, I really like Vince Young and all, but his teammates make the Titans a hard team to root for.

 

[superpunk]

I know Goodell is the new commissioner, but I don't see why they keep thinking he is the only one involved in the conduct policies. The NFLPA and the owners are both pushing for something to be done about off the field issues. If they didn't do that, I doubt anything would be done. It isn't as if Goodell came in and made these changes on his own. He is doing his job and following the wishes of the league. If the owners, coaches, players and sponsors all pushed for yellow shoes, then Goodell would be out there pushing for yellow shoes.

Comes with the territory. It's the same reason President's take the rap for legislative decisions. Goodell's been granted alot of power, the criticism if it's being wielded poorly is inherent and justified.

 

[aikemirv]

Huh? You don't get good press from punishing people either. He pointed to that lack of balance in the focus.

Actually, you do get good press for punishing people. I think it is huge for the league's press that they are cracking down on this stuff, just huge - some of the best press they can get IMO.

 

[AbeBeta]

Actually, you do get good press for punishing people. I think it is huge for the league's press that they are cracking down on this stuff, just huge - some of the best press they can get IMO.

Let's see .... what is better press.

a) "Hi, I'm NFL Commish Roger Goodell. You know, sometimes our players drive drunk, buy alcohol for minors, have too many guns, hehehe, well folks, you know the list just goes on and on. Heck, a few years ago we had someone order a hit on his girlfriend and unborn baby! We are the NFL, sometimes players do bad things, but when they do I WILL CRUSH THEM!"

or

b) "Hi, I'm NFL Commish Roger Goodell. Our players are involved in tons of efforts to help their communities. Some volunteer at food banks, some create scholarship funds for underpriviledged children, and some even save drowning horses! We're the NFL, we do good things!"

 

[aikemirv]

Let's see .... what is better press.

a) "Hi, I'm NFL Commish Roger Goodell. You know, sometimes our players drive drunk, buy alcohol for minors, have too many guns, hehehe, well folks, you know the list just goes on and on. Heck, a few years ago we had someone order a hit on his girlfriend and unborn baby! We are the NFL, sometimes players do bad things, but when they do I WILL CRUSH THEM!"

or

b) "Hi, I'm NFL Commish Roger Goodell. Our players are involved in tons of efforts to help their communities. Some volunteer at food banks, some create scholarship funds for underpriviledged children, and some even save drowning horses! We're the NFL, we do good things!"

Lets try this from the beginning. You said "you don't get good press from punishing people" and I said yes you do. Did i say it was better press, no I did not. But it is good press and it will be transferred by the media. The good things that they do, do not get transferred very much at all.

 

[Doomsday101]

I know Goodell is the new commissioner, but I don't see why they keep thinking he is the only one involved in the conduct policies. The NFLPA and the owners are both pushing for something to be done about off the field issues. If they didn't do that, I doubt anything would be done. It isn't as if Goodell came in and made these changes on his own. He is doing his job and following the wishes of the league. If the owners, coaches, players and sponsors all pushed for yellow shoes, then Goodell would be out there pushing for yellow shoes.

I agree, The Commissioner works between both the owners and the players union. Players went to the commissioner on this issue and the owners support it as well. The commissioners office will do the dirty work of weeding out the problem players but it does so with the blessing of NFLPA and Owners.