NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL FALL MEETING ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15, 2008 - NFL Media.com

NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL FALL MEETING ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15, 2008

RE: Lengthening the regular season to 17 or 18 games.

…to support our relationship with our fans, because of the length of the season. That included weather conditions, with the potential for the season to go into late February. It involved, obviously, our relationship with the players, our relationships with media companies and the quality of the preseason. We’ve discussed this also in the context of the offseason. Again, that goes to the part about football readiness and how there’s greater interest from our fans of having a longer and deeper relationship with the NFL all year round.

I’m not suggesting playing games all year, but there was a suggestion about idea of a spring game of some type. A preseason-type game.

Q: You don’t want to give us an offseason, do you?

RG: We know you don’t want one.

Q: Any suggestion that two preseason games would hurt the evaluation process for teams as they make their final roster cuts?

RG: I think that’s what we mean about football readiness. I think that has to be evaluated. From a football perspective, there are two purposes. One, you want to get your team ready. Two, you make your evaluations of who will make your team. Those are the two primary objectives. We want to make sure teams have the ability to do that.

The likelihood is that teams will adjust to this, work in more scrimmages or other ways to evaluate players. The second point is, and I think I mentioned this yesterday, a developmental league of some type. That’s another question that a lot of clubs raised: how do we continue to develop our players?

Q: Before there is a vote on this, will the proposal include a definitive number (17 or 18 games), or will there be more discussion as the CBA negotiations move along?

RG: First, we have a lot more work to do on the analysis. This is something we will continue to pursue and will continue to evaluate. Eventually, we’ll have to decide strategically which proposal would be most beneficial to our players, our media partners, and other parties involved.

Q: Do you have a timetable for when you’ll decide on a proposal and then make it?

RG: We’re working on a proposal now. The major focus is analyzing the labor agreement and assessing the impact that this could bring to the table. We’re talking about cost recognition, the overall economics of the labor agreement, including stadium construction, retired players, and potential of expanding to more regular season games within the 20-game format. All of those things are factors that we’re considering.


Q: Is it clear whether or not the proposal will be 17 or 18 games yet?

RG: There are different viewpoints on that. I would say the prevailing thought that I sensed in the room was that it would be 18 games rather than 17 right now. People were still debating that.

RE: Are you exploring expanding the number of teams in the playoffs?

RG: There was some discussion of that. That came up. Some folks thought that was important to consider and include. Others had a different view on that also.

Q: What is your personal preference?

RG: We have to evaluate it a little bit more. I think it should be very special to get to post-season. I think to set a bar where to make it into post-season you have to achieve success, and make that special, is something we should continue.

RE: Super Bowl ticket prices

RG: The core prices have been set. We’re still evaluating some things.

RE: NFLN and whether there is any chance that negotiations with Comcast will be restarted before there’s a ruling by the judge

RG: We would hope so. We still believe that this should be settled at the negotiating table. Ultimately, that’s what’s in the best interest of all parties, most particularly the consumers. We would like to engage in a dialogue. We think the FCC ruling is significant from the standpoint that it is very clear that there is discrimination. We would like to get that done either at the negotiating table, or if we’re forced, to go through the process with the judge.

RE: When the last negotiations took place with Comcast?

RG: I’ll have to get back to you on that.

RE: Issue of players being fined after the game on plays that did not draw a penalty

RG: It’s always been an issue. That’s not new or recent. We’ve had that over the years, and it happens. When you see something that’s an illegal technique or something that we think that’s not proper and it wasn’t called, we’ll take whatever actions are appropriate to make sure the player and the coach understands that’s not permissible.

Q: You don’t feel it weakens the officials’ calls?

RG: I don’t think so. I think they do a great job.

RE: The role the economy will play in the upcoming season for the league and the clubs

That’s a pretty broad question, but the reality is it’s going to impact us. The economy is impacting us directly, and our business partners and our fans. So we’re sensitive to that, and we’re looking at everything we do, whether it’s our facilities, our stadium financing, or our pricing at the club level. We’re looking at all of those issues to determine how to best work our way through this.

RE: Do you get a sense from the union that they are more sensitive to the risks the owners are taking on?

RG: I really believe the players recognize what’s going on out there. Our business isn’t immune. This is a very significant time with what’s happening with the economy. And I don’t believe our players would be insensitive to that either.

Q: Is that based on conversations with union executives or individual players?

RG: I have had discussions with union executives and with players.

RE: Is there a change? Previously, they ignored your complaints.  Has there been a change in emphasis?

RG: I wouldn’t agree that they ignored it. Obviously, the developments over the last couple weeks… We’ve seen this coming for quite some time. We’ve discussed this publicly and privately. There are risks in the marketplace. These risks are shifted to the owners and that’s a significant risk that usually results in difficult economic consequences. That’s what we’re seeing in the market. I think the players recognize that, certainly in the economy we’re in right now. 

RE: Priority on security for the Super Bowl

RG: People derive comfort from knowing that we’re taking significant steps to ensure their safety. People come to our stadiums and want to know they’re safe. This Sunday here in Tampa you saw a good example of that. We had the pat downs and want to be able to accomplish that. People seemed to be generally accepting of it. People recognize it’s part of an everyday reality. We have a significant initiative to improve the experience at the stadium, not only security but making sure people feel comfortable.

Q: What’s the priority for you in terms of ensuring that fan behavior is within these standards?

RG: The big issue to me is making sure that everyone who comes to our stadium enjoys the event and that nobody stays away from our stadiums because of others’ behavior. There was a point made in our presentation this morning that one individual’s actions can affect up to 20 people’s view of the experience at the stadium.  Most of the people who come to our stadiums come and enjoy them and have a great time. Unfortunately, somebody can behave in such a manner that can ruin it for a lot of other people. If they do, we are going to deal with it properly. First action is taken in the stadium, and the second is to revoke their ticket privileges.

Q: Is adding two more teams to the playoffs two total or two per conference?

RG: We haven’t gotten into the specifics of it. There have been proposals over the last 10 years or so of extending the playoffs.


RE: Those haven’t gotten much support. Do you sense more support?

RG: There was support last time. I think there was quite a bit of discussion when we realigned the league. It’s been a few years.

Q: Do you think there would be more support if it comes in conjunction with a longer season?

RG: I’m not certain whether there is a strong correlation between the two. They are two distinct decisions. I think in some people’s minds those might impact on their ultimate vote. But I think they are ultimately two distinct decisions at this point in time. As we evaluate it, we might draw that this is something that should be done as part of that, if we get to the conclusion that we should expand or restructure the season.

RE: Adding a potential regular season game to the back end of the season as opposed to the starting the season earlier

RG: That is how we discussed it this morning and that is how we’re analyzing it. On the other hand, there are people who want to discuss how fans perceive that if they are going to regular season games in January. That is something we have got to be sensitive to. We’re going to evaluate that and doing some studies on that to see what we can determine.

Q: So you’re still open to starting the season a little earlier?

RG: Yeah, I wouldn’t rule anything out.

Q: Are you looking at reintroducing the idea of reducing debt cap?

RG: Yes. In this kind of market every company is evaluating their debt levels and we’re not different from that. We have an obligation to do that on an annual basis. We’re all concerned about debt in this kind of environment. You can see what it can do. Companies that are over-leveraged – that is what this is – this is a massive de-leveraging on a global basis. It can have significant consequences for a business and that is what we want to avoid.

Q: Is it a concern that the Union will once again file a complaint if the NFL wants to lower its debt?

RG: They very well might, but we’re running our business. We have to be able to run our business just like everyone else and managing your debt is a big part of that, just as it is for everybody.

Q: You mentioned a spring preseason game. Is there an appetite for that?

RG: It is interesting. That was raised by a few clubs. It is more in the context of what colleges do with their spring game. It can be in the form of a scrimmage. It was an interesting concept that has been raised before and was discussed this morning by a number of people.

Q: Is it one team playing another?

RG: It could be. It was an interesting idea, which we’ll look at. It was raised by more than one club.

Q: Do you plan to look into the assault charge against Larry Johnson?

RG: Yes.

RE: Are stadium costs the fastest rising costs you have?

RG: I’d have to look at it statistically. Either player costs or stadium costs, yes. Our costs continue to rise and revenues are under pressure right now.

RE: Backlash regarding the NFL going overboard on cracking down on over the top touchdown celebrations.

RG: It is a fine line between an emotion and enthusiastic response that is natural versus something that is predetermined that is nothing more than to affect the other team or reflect poorly on the game. We always try to find that balance.

Q: So you are not trying to discourage it when it is spontaneous?

RG: No. It is a passionate part of our game, it is a big part of our game so we don’t discourage that, but it can cross the line where it becomes staged and inciting to the other team, and that is a problem.

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Barack Obama For President - Washington Post

The Washington Post endorsed U.S. Senator Barack Obama for President, writing:

THE NOMINATING process this year produced two unusually talented and qualified presidential candidates. There are few public figures we have respected more over the years than Sen. John McCain. Yet it is without ambivalence that we endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president. 

The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race. Yes, we have reservations and concerns, almost inevitably, given Mr. Obama's relatively brief experience in national politics. But we also have enormous hopes.

Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building. At home, we believe, he would respond to the economic crisis with a healthy respect for markets tempered by justified dismay over rising inequality and an understanding of the need for focused regulation. Abroad, the best evidence suggests that he would seek to maintain U.S. leadership and engagement, continue the fight against terrorists, and wage vigorous diplomacy on behalf of U.S. values and interests. Mr. Obama has the potential to become a great president. Given the enormous problems he would confront from his first day in office, and the damage wrought over the past eight years, we would settle for very good. MORE 

Sarah Palin Thinks New Hampshire's In The Northwest - Gets Booed

Wow, how many times now have we seen Alaska Governor and GOP VP Candidate Sarah Palin make a "geographic" mistake?  She did in in Iowa, where she mistook Cedar Rapids for another city for example.  And there are other times she's done it.  But this one's a hoot and I think the first time she actually got booed, reflecting her decending poll numbers.

I can't wait to see SNL.

See this..

Obama's earmarks - Proper or Pork?

In 2006, according to an Associated Press report, Senator Obama inserted $400,000 for an unrelated project into an emergency bill for the Iraq war and hurricane relief. Do you want to know more, or will you share McCain's new anti-earmark stand? Earmarks can be abused, yet they can expedite passage of matters needing little or no debate, too.

Obama has pledged to finish construction of an electronic barrier in Chicago to keep the carp from invading Lake Michigan from the Illinois River. That $400,000 earmark from 2006 was targeted for the barrier project. Great Lakes fishing is a $4 billion fishing industry; do you prefer carp to salmon?

I won’t suggest all earmark funding supports projects intended to protect the environment and/or preserve regional jobs and industries; clearly the potential for abuse exists, and doubtless the mechanism is exploited for pork-barrel projects. To my way of thinking, even the “$3 million overhead projector” McCain keeps hammering away at in debates and stump speeches was a reasonable use of the technique: do we really need Congress to hold extended debate on a stand-alone bill about the value of supporting the educational goals of Adler Planetarium in Chicago?

How different are McCain and Bush?

Apart from the economic and ecologic impact of the project in question, clean water is a precious resource, essential in and of itself.

During 2004 George Bush established an inter-agency task force to develop the “Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy.” He hasn't funded it much, the priorities of the Bush administration have not exactly matched the campaign promises, and they certainly haven't focused on research outside the Defense Department. Additional money was included in a 2007 package for water projects ultimately enacted over President George Bush’s veto. Senator McCain sided with the president on that vote as he has on some 90% or so of the opportunities he's had, from Wall Street deregulation to trickle-down tax theories. Obama supported the veto-override.

But back to earmarks:

McCain has decided to take a public stand against earmarks, causing the public to equate them with pork-barrel abuses. It's great for sound-bites on the evening news, but is it tantamount to throwing out the baby with the bathwater?

Introduced to the U.S. in the 1970s to control algae in catfish farms in the South, bighead and silver carp have spread due to flooding into the Mississippi River. They're taking over parts of the Illinois River. Barack Obama used an earmark to try to control this threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem, to protect the people, jobs, and industries that are at risk. Isn't that a textbook example of what a U.S. Senator is supposed to do?

The focus on earmarks distracts both the media and the voters from more significant problems, and Obama was responsible not to rise to the bait when McCain floated the "overhead projector" during the 2008 Presidential debates. The economy is a much more pressing issue, but McCain doesn't want to have to explain how he's going to ramp up some new federal department to handle the 11 million mortgages he proposes to evaluate and take over.

I admit, while I'm not surprised when a Republican claims a Democratic challenger will raise taxes, I don't understand McCain's real priorities, why he's suddenly turned on his old companions at ACORN, or why his voting seems so closely aligned with the current administration despite his mavericky protests to the contrary. If you'd like to read more about the research into and problems of invasive species in the Great Lakes watershed, or contribute to a discussion about earmarks, check the longer article that was the stimulus for this post.

"Joe The Plumber" Lived In Alaska and Worked For Roto-Rooter

I happened by the Anchorage Daily News in Alaska, looking for "Troopergate" updates when I saw this story that , well, was front and center above the fold about how Joe Wurzelbacher AKA "Joe The Plumber" lived in Alaska, and I thought "It figures" because of his seemingly almost anti-tax "leave me alone" views that fit with some of the more extremist Alaskans we've come to know of since the rise of Sarah Palin.


Here's one series of paragraphs:

Alaska records show Wurzelbacher listed a North Pole address in 1992 and 1993, and Eielson Air Force Base address in '94 and '95. He applied for hunting permits, owned an old Ford and a new Dodge, and paid a $76 fine in Fairbanks court for speeding.

It was unclear Thursday afternoon whether Wurzelbacher registered to vote while living in Alaska, and if so with which party, Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai wrote in an e-mail.

Wurzelbacher's son was born in the Fairbanks area in 1995, Morrison said.

"Jennifer had called up to Joe to tell him that she was in labor and Joe made it down the stairs just in time, his baby was delivered on the wooden floor in their home," Morrison said.

"That was a huge thing for us ... We joked with them and said, 'OK, you did it the Alaskan way,' " said Morrison, who was living Outside at the time. She later married an Alaskan and moved here herself.

"I met (Joe) when he was working for Roto-Rooter," said her husband, John.

Morrison said Wurzelbacher served in the Air Force and that as far as she knows, he and her sister never met Gov. Sarah Palin, who is now Sen. John McCain's running mate.

But what also caught me was what he did while he lived in Alaska...

"I met (Joe) when he was working for Roto-Rooter," said her husband, John.

John McCain Gags On Mistaken Debate Direction Behind Obama

This is a funny John McCain photo that just may sum up his campaign. It's from Yahoo and  Reuters and has this caption:

US Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) reacts to almost heading the wrong way off the stage after shaking hands with Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) at the conclusion of the final presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 15, 2008. REUTERS/Jim Bourg (UNITED STATES) US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2008

Sarah Palin To Appear On Saturday Night Live - Will They Boo?

It's reported on CNN.com Alaska Governor and GOP VP Candidate Sarah Palin is to appear on Saturday Night Live this weekend.  But my question is this:  Will they boo her?  


Palin was recently booed at a Phili Flyers game last week, so we have precedent here.  


Stay tuned. 

SF Prop H "Cake Band" Party with Mary The "Clean Energy Gal"

This video takes us into a great "VIP Party" held for the band "Cake" (http://www.cakemusic.com) and the San Francisco Prop H Campaign for Clean Energy. It features Mary, The Clean Energy Gal.

The Emerging NFC East

The Emerging NFC EAST- By Michael Porpora for Football Reporters online

The NFC East has emerged as undoubtedly the best and most competitive division, top to bottom, in football. One could argue that it might be the toughest division in all of sports (although the AL east may have something to say about that). Lets not forget the NFC East sent three teams to the playoff a year ago (Giants, Cowboys, and Redskins), and I would be shocked if that changes this season.

The defending world champion New York Giants are surely one of the best teams in the NFL. Although though they lost their first game of the season this past Monday night to the Cleveland Browns, they still remain one of the best in the game. They are the true definition of team, with Eli Manning emerging as one of the premiere quarterbacks in the league; gaining confidence by the minute. The offensive line has been together for more than two full seasons and seems to get stronger with every game. Let’s not forget to mention the rushing attack of the human bulldozer, Brandon Jacobs, and the speedy Derrick Ward, a powerful one-two punch.

The Dallas Cowboys on the other hand have just acquired Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions, and now have the most powerful WR combo in the game. The Cowboys were the early odds on favorite to win it all this year with the season ending injury to Tom Brady, and that was before the acquisition of Williams. Although they have had their issues thus far this season with injuries to Tony Romo and Felix Jones, (and let’s not forget the mayhem that always revolves around Pacman Jones) I would love to see the damage they can do with their full squad in mid-season form.

The Washington Redskins are also looking like the playoff team from a year ago, winning four straight games against tough opponents to the likes of the Cowboys and the Eagles. The Redskins had a shocking loss to the winless Rams this past week, but they are a resilient team who will surely bounce back.

The Eagles have the longest tenured head coach in the game, in Andy Reid, who has proven to be one of the best head coaches in the league. With the addition of Asante Samuel and the receive DeSean Jackson they are an extremely skillful team with great experience to go along with it. As long as McNabb and Westbrook can stay healthy, they can play with anyone in the League.
The other night I heard Osi Umenyiora say on Monday night countdown that the team he fears the most in the NFC East is “the Philadelphia Eagles,” who have a 3-3 record and are currently last in the division. If that doesn’t explain how competitive this division is, I don’t know what does.

In short, these four teams are stacked among all facets of the game. They are great defensively and offensively with outstanding running attacks. The NFC East teams also have Pro Bowl quarterbacks with tremendous upside and if you ask me, the Super Bowl champions will once again come out of the NFC East.

Eds. Note Michael Porpora is the newest addition to the staff at Football Reporters Online. This is his first submission.

Joe The Plumber Refers To Obama As "Sammy Davis"; Another Racist For McCain?

Ok, so it seems like this "Joe The Plumber" Guy that John McCain's hitched his star to is turning out to be a conservative and now a racist.  According to TalkLeft and Politico ...

"McCain was solid in his performance," he says. "I still don't know where he stands," he says of Obama. "I'm middle class. I can't have my taxes raised any more."

He also says he actually isn't in the bracket where Obama would raise his taxes -- but he's worried that Obama will shift the bracket down.

He also said that, in his encounter with Obama, the Illinois Senator [has] "a tap dance...almost as good as Sammy Davis, Jr."

Okay! So Senator McCain's dug up another racist! What else is new!  

Football Reporters Online Show

It's Thursday, and that means it's another episode of the Football Reporters Online Show On BlogTalk Radio. Joining us Tonight will be Jennifer Smith, The Executive Director of the Gridiron Greats Assistance fund. We will Discuss the Ongoing Health Care Crisis among Senior retired NFL Players, and what the Fans can do to support this worthy cause.
The show can be heard at 9pm eastern at;

McCain is not Bush.

It's true. For one thing, Bush is considerably younger.

However, when it comes to their policies and views on taxes and the economy? If you just read a transcript of the debates you'd be hard-pressed to distinguish Bush from McCain.

Another striking similarity: both McCain and Bush seem more interested in holding the office than in acting presidential.

McCain distancing himself from G.W.Bush