Union’s request denied; Goodell to hear Brady suspension appeal
League rejects contention commissioner should be witness in Patriots QB’s case
Commissioner Roger Goodell informed the NFL Players Association that its request to have Goodell removed from New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s upcoming appeal of a fourgame suspension has been denied. The appeal will be heard June 23. “As I have said publicly, I very much look forward to hearing from Mr. Brady and to considering any new information or evidence that he may bring to my attention,” Goodell said in a letter to the NFLPA. “My mind is open; there has been no ‘prejudgment’ and no bias that warrants recusal.”
Goodell said in January and repeated last month that he considered the Deflate-gate scandal an issue that threatened the integrity of the game.
NOTES
The NFLPA disagreed with the investigation on the premise that it was not truly neutral and that evidence was circumstantial. Investigator Ted Wells attacked those claims.
The NFLPA also disagreed with the authority of vice president Troy Vincent to hand down the disciplinary decision.
“The identity of the person who signed the disciplinary letter is irrelevant,” Goodell wrote. “The signatory’s identity does not influence in any way my evaluation of the issues; any suggestion to the contrary defies common sense. ... (I) did not delegate my disciplinary authority to Mr. Vincent; I concurred in his recommendation and authorized him to communicate to Mr. Brady the discipline imposed under my authority as Commissioner.”
Goodell said last month that he read the report by Wells only “shortly before” the public did and denied that the NFL demanded the Patriots suspend the two employees who handled the footballs for the team. There was no discussion on the chain of custody or the protocol for handling of balls at the owners’ meetings.
Goodell reiterated that failure to cooperate was a factor in punishment stemming from the Wells investigation. He also said in the letter released Tuesday that there is no reason he would be a necessary witness, as the NFLPA argued, in Brady’s appeal:
“Because protecting the integrity of the game is the Commissioner’s most important responsibility, I decline to rewrite our Collective Bargaining Agreement to abrogate my authority and ‘discretion’ to hear ‘any appeal’ in a conduct detrimental proceeding. The motion for recusal is denied. We will proceed with the hearing on June 23, as previously scheduled.”
■ PANTHERS — Carolina and quarterback Cam Newton closed a megadeal on a five-year, $103 million contract extension that runs through the 2020 season.
Newton will receive $67.6 million during the first three years, and the extension includes $60 million in guarantees, NFL.com reported.
“I’ve said all along, Cam is our franchise quarterback and we are absolutely thrilled that we got the extension done,” Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said. “It allows us to do the long-term planning that we need to do to make sure that he’s surrounded with players and that we can continue to build this team.
“The amount of obstacles that Cam had to overcome last year and the way he finished the season, not only physically but more importantly mentally, was key for me. It made me very comfortable do- ing this deal.”
The 26-year-old Newton, the first pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, has thrown for 14,426 yards, 82 touchdowns and 54 interceptions in his four-year career, leading the Panthers to the postseason each of the last two seasons. His overall record is 30-31-1 and 1-2 in the playoffs. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2011 and 2013 and helped the Panthers to NFC South titles in 2013 and 2014.
■ BROWNS — Contrary to an Internet report that grabbed headlines last week, Cleveland is not ready to give up on quarterback Johnny Manziel.
The OTA session Tuesday was the first open to the media since Manziel threw a water bottle in the direction of a heckling fan Saturday at a hotel pool in the Dallas suburb of Irving.
Asked to comment, coach Mike Pettine dismissed the water bottle incident as “a nonstory.” No charges were filed, no one was arrested, and according to the Irving police, no written report was filed. Pettine did not dismiss as lightly a report on ESPN Cleveland claiming the Browns are moving on from Manziel with Josh McCown as the unchallenged starter.
“I don’t pay much attention to what’s going on outside the building, but when it potentially can drive a spike between the staff and the team, I have issues with it,” Pettine said.
“To me, to talk about how a team has potentially moved on from a player or he’s not in the plans, it’s just irresponsible. We’re just teaching basic offense and we’re going to get to the point where a certain player is in there we will tailor a game plan to match their strengths, so I thought he has done an outstanding job so far, grasping what we’re doing.”
■ EAGLES — Quarterback Sam Bradford ran Philadelphia’s offense in his continued recovery from anterior cruciate ligament surgery and corresponding assimilation to the starting job with his new team.
Bradford, acquired in a trade for Nick Foles from the St. Louis Rams, is recovering from a second surgery in as many years to repair a torn knee ligament. Wearing a sleeve on his left knee, Bradford rotated with holdover Mark Sanchez in 7-on-7 passing drills.
Tim Tebow, who signed last month, and Matt Barkley, who held the No. 3 job to begin the 2014 season, are competing for that spot.
■ RAMS — Former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia joined the St. Louis Rams’ coaching staff as an offensive assistant. He will work primarily as an assistant to wide receivers coach Ray Sherman.
Before taking the Rams’ job, Garcia spent the 2014 season with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League on their coaching staff. He worked with quarterbacks during his one season with the club.
Garcia previously tutored quarterbacks in San Diego. Some of his pupils included NFL players Mark Sanchez, Tyrod Taylor and Matt McGloin.
In 17 years as a professional quarterback, Garcia played for the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He began his career with the Calgary Stampeders in the CFL and finished with almost 42,000 yards passing
RAIDERS — Quarterback Derek Carr appears to be making his way back to the field, though he remains limited.
The second-year player threw a few short passes to running backs during drills, but he was a spectator during live team sessions at OTAs. Two weeks ago, Carr didn’t practice at all, and last week he took a few snaps but restricted his activities to handoffs and pitchouts.
Carr has an injured right ring finger, according to ESPN, but neither Carr nor the team has confirmed that.