Goodell stands firm on NFL draft date

Commissioner bans discussion on topic after GMs plead for more time to prepare

Roger Goodell’s iron fist is raised, ready to come down hard.

The NFL commissioner has officially informed all 32 clubs that, despite their concerns and wishes, the draft will go ahead as scheduled from April 23-25.

Oh, and any whining about it won’t be tolerated.

In a leaguewide memo that was intercepted by various American news agencies, Goodell wrote “public discussion of issues relating to the Draft serves no useful purpose and is grounds for disciplinary action.”

So there.

Earlier this week, the league’s general manager subcommittee recommended the draft be rescheduled in light of the coronavirus pandemic closing team facilities and cancelling off-season activities, preventing the crucially important last round of physical and psychological tests. There were also concerns about logistical challenges teams face in having to conduct the draft from home.

Saints GM Mickey Loomis told The Peter King Podcast he was personally in favour of delaying the draft so scouts and personnel people could complete the work they normally do.

But all those pleas fell on deaf ears.

Goodell said the NFL Management Council executive committee “was unanimous and unequivocal that the Draft should go forward as planned.”

Why? Because only God knows when COVID-19 will disappear.

“Everyone recognizes that the public health conditions are highly uncertain,” wrote Goodell, “and there is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favourable than they are today.”

Good point.

Almost two weeks ago, the

NFL decided the draft, which was slated to be a lavish event in Las Vegas, would be closed to the public and shown only on

TV. Goodell’s most recent memo declared that prospects and their families won’t be present at the site of the draft.

Goodell said he has personally discussed the matter with owners, club executives and coaches, and that there is “widespread support” for the draft to proceed as scheduled. He also said the draft, which will be “conducted and televised in a way that reflects current conditions,” can provide a breath of fresh air when one is so desperately needed.

“I also believe that the draft can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans and the country at large,” stated Goodell.

That’s a fact. The NFL draft could be the only sports on TV for some time yet.

PLAYOFF EXPANSION VOTE:

It might be easier for teams to make it to the post-season from now on. According to NFL Media’s Judy Battista, owners will vote next week on a proposal to add one more team from each conference, expanding the playoffs from 12 to 14 entries. Under the proposal, seven teams from each conference would make the post-season, while the team with the best record would get the only first-round bye. Three division winners from each conference would host three wild card teams during the first weekend of the playoffs.

GOOD GURLEY: RB Todd Gurley believed that, somehow, he was going to remain with the Rams. “I didn’t see it coming,” the newest member of the Atlanta Falcons told a podcast hosted by former teammate Chris Long. Gurley was the brunt of social media jokes when he lightheartedly tweeted that he was “fired” on his day off when the Rams cut him last week. Proving he can take what he dishes out, Gurley is dishing out more. “I’m the same type of person like, when someone else is getting cut, I’m joking on them, so I can’t get mad if somebody jokes on me,” he said. “I joke on myself all the time. If you knew me, you know that’s me. And it’s all jokes. It’s some truth to every little joke. But I’m having fun with it, and that’s the only thing I can do, stuck in the house all day. I know people are drinking and having fun, so I’m going to have fun with y’all.” EXTRA POINTS: The Philadelphia Eagles were busy on Friday, picking up the option on TE Zach Ertz’s contact and exercising the options on QB Carson Wentz, WR Alshon Jeffery, DE Brandon Graham and OG Isaac Seumalo … Former Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein is set to sign a threeyear, US$7.5 million deal with the Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo … The Minnesota Vikings have resigned RB Ameer Abdullah … After signing former XFL TE Khari Lee earlier this week, the Falcons are reportedly now poised to add LB Edmond Robinson, another ex-XFLer … New Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins is the latest NFLer to step forward in aid of coronavirus victims, donating $150,000 to the Arizona Relief Fund. dbrennan@postmedia.com