NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith had some choice words for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that apparently have weighed on his mind for quite some time now. Among the topics Smith criticized Goodell for were expanded playoffs, Jim Irsay and HGH testing.
Smith spoke with ESPN's Sal Paolantonio about all the topics of the NFL offseason and believes the root of the problem is Goodell’s need to have absolute power.
"The commissioner understands that there is a significant credibility gap that exists in the National Football League," Smith said. "What troubles our players is the speed and the deliberateness of the punishment that they have seen in the past when it comes to a player. There isn't the same speed or deliberate action when it comes to an owner, and that's a problem.”
Then Smith spoke of what he believes is holding up all the policy changes that had been spoken of, DUI punishment and HGH testing included.
"It's not being held up on anything that has to do with HGH," Smith said. "It's not being held up on anything that has to do with DUIs. It's not being held up on anything that has to do with the frequency of testing."
"It's being held up because one man wants to keep the power to be the judge, jury and executioner. That's not right."
Many players have voiced their disapproval of the way Goodell is handling the Irsay saga and the fact that no punishment has been handed down to him. Goodell responded to Smith’s claim at a football safety clinic for mothers and asked for judgement when the final decision is made not before.
"Judge us when we make our final determination, which (we) undoubtedly will," Goodell added. "So will everybody else. That's fair. But don't make judgments until we have had an opportunity to do what's in the best interests of everyone, which is get the facts. Everybody wants process. DeMaurice Smith talks about process all the time. The process is important.”
As we have seen in the past, the NFL moves very slowly with big decisions such as the collective bargaining agreement. At the end of the day, these two men have to have a sit down and hammer this deal out for the good of the league. Goodell might have to settle in this situation in favor of a arbitrator chosen by both sides.
[ESPN]
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