Extra Points: Goodell has to go
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - The NFL's personal-conduct policy begins with this sentence: "All persons associated with the NFL are required to avoid conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League."
In other words -- protect the shield, a notion to which Roger Goodell is fond of paying lip service.
The commissioner's handling of the Ray Rice saga, however, has been more detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence of the NFL than just about any incident he has handed out punishment for, be it Rice himself, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, or the dozens of other players already suspended this season for DUIs, marijuana, PEDs or any other peccadillo.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In fact, Goodell's embarrassing performance on the "CBS Evening News" with Norah O'Donnell tossing softballs at the commish was as damaging as it gets, a self-serving trite, banal and hackneyed exercise which at its core was a business partner doing another business partner a favor.
It's ironic that facing a "friend" trying to protect you at all costs under the guise of journalism was similar to what Goodell did with Rice. The commissioner is in this mess because he bent over backward to protect Rice, perceived as one of the NFL's good guys until being exposed as a violent batterer by a TMZ.com-acquired video on Monday.
TMZ, of course, had previously posted video showing Rice dragging his then- fiancee Janay Palmer out of an elevator soon after the battering incident, which occurred in an Atlantic City casino in February.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Monday's video was far more graphic, however, showing the couple entering the elevator, apparently arguing, and then Rice hitting his now-wife with a left- handed blow as she moved toward him. Janay Rice is knocked off her feet and her head slams into a railing inside the elevator, knocking her unconscious.
"What we saw (Monday) was extremely clear, it was extremely graphic and it was sickening. And that's why we took action," Goodell said.
Goodell, however, reiterated his silly stance that the league was not granted access to the footage that led to Rice's release and harsher suspension, something that defies credulity and no one with any knowledge of the league's security apparatus or legal muscle can believe.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}From a legal perspective, Goodell was playing pure semantics on CBS. There is little doubt that the commissioner was telling the truth and that he nor anyone else of any importance at Park Avenue saw the video.
The issue becomes why?
And that's as simple as it gets, willful ignorance in a misguided attempt to help a player they felt deserved the benefit of the doubt.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We had not seen any videotape of what occurred in the elevator," Goodell stated. "We assumed that there was a video, we asked for video, but we were never granted that opportunity."
Notice the wording -- "we assumed" was in deference to the fact everyone understands every nook and cranny of a casino is covered by video equipment so playing dumb there isn't an option.
Meanwhile, "asking" for the video is different than actively seeking it. Sure, the authorities might turn you down while citing an active investigation, but there are plenty of backdoor channels you can navigate, including Rice's legal representation and the casino itself, which is now bankrupt and closed.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Personally, I was told of the tape's existence back in March by someone in the Atlantic City media and it was somewhat common knowledge in the area that the prosecutor possessed what was described to me as "explosive evidence."
You really think a columnist or even Harvey Levin has more clout than the NFL?
At every turn here, Goodell has lost a little more credibility.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}His initial two-game suspension was widely criticized, prompting the league to proclaim that players and league personnel involved in domestic violence cases moving forward will be facing a six-week suspension without pay for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second offense.
Goodell later said in a letter to NFL owners announcing the new rules that he "didn't get it right" when he suspended Rice in July for two games.
"Well, we certainly didn't know what was on the tape, but we have been very open and honest, and I have also, from two weeks ago, when I acknowledged that: 'We didn't get this right'," Goodell told CBS. "That's my responsibility, and I'm accountable for that."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Goodell's public mea culpa from his original punishment of Rice wasn't so much an admission of being wrong, though, as a reaction to society's disdain of his original declaration.
The one thing Goodell got right was the fact he is indeed accountable for this entire public relations disaster, or at least he should be.
And Goodell deserves the same fate as Rice, but not for the reasons you may think.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}People make mistakes in all walks of life. Rice and Goodell are both living proof of that, but the commissioner failed miserably with mulligan after mulligan and continues to do so.
His supposed job description is protecting the shield at all costs yet Goodell unequivocally violated the league's personal-conduct policy he helped craft by harming both the integrity and credibility of the league he lords over.
The fact that Goodell remains on solid footing as NFL commissioner and will be keeping his $40 million gig speaks to his true job definition -- making money for his 32 bosses.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}And that's the only standard to which he will ever be held accountable.
THE GAMES (All Times Eastern) - WEEK 2
Pittsburgh (1-0) at Baltimore (0-1) (-2 1/1), Thursday, 8:30 p.m. - Football's hardest-hitting rivalry renews in the Charm City. Each of the previous five meetings and 10 of the last 12 games between the two AFC North foes have been decided by three points or fewer. Expect another close one as the Ravens attempt to put the Rice fiasco behind them.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Steelers 27, Ravens 24
Atlanta (1-0) at Cincinnati (1-0) (-5), Sunday, 1 p.m. - Two of the game's best receivers will be on display in the Queen City. A.J. Green of Cincinnati and Julio Jones of Atlanta were both selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and were the first two receivers taken (Green, No. 4, and Jones, No. 6). Last week, Green had six catches for 131 yards and the game-winning 77- yard touchdown as the Bengals topped the Ravens in Baltimore, while Jones had seven catches for 116 yards in the Falcons' OT win over the New Orleans Saints.
Bengals 27, Falcons 23
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Miami (1-0) (-1) at Buffalo (1-0), Sunday, 1 p.m.- Buffalo head coach Doug Marrone won his first two tests against Miami last year and will be leaning on running back C.J. Spiller, who has 579 scrimmage yards (403 rush, 176 receiving) and two TDs in his last four games against the Dolphins. Meanwhile, Miami QB Ryan Tannehill has passed for two-or-more TDs in six of his past nine games against AFC East foes.
Bills 20, Dolphins 16
Detroit (1-0) at Carolina (1-0) (-3), Sunday, 1 p.m. - It's offense versus defense in the Tar Heel State as the explosive Lions visit the stingy Panthers. Detroit QB Matthew Stafford passed for 346 yards, two TDs and a 125.3 passer rating in an impressive Monday night win over the New York Giants, while Carolina has won seven straight regular-season home games behind one of the best front sevens in football, led by star linebacker Luke Kuechly, who had nine tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in a win at Tampa Bay in Week 1.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Panthers 17, Lions 16
New Orleans (0-1) (-6 1/2) at Cleveland (0-1), Sunday, 1 p.m. - Historically the Saints haven't had much success against Cleveland, amassing just a 4-12 record versus the Browns. Things figure to change here as NOLA is thought to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender coming off a hard-luck overtime loss at Atlanta, while the Browns are treading water while hoping to get Josh Gordon back and waiting on Johnny Manziel. Saints star QB Drew Brees passed for 333 yards in Week 1, his 79th career 300-yard game, the second-most in NFL history.
Saints 34, Browns 23
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New England (0-1) (-3) at Minnesota (1-0), Sunday, 1 p.m. - Mike Zimmer passed his first test as an NFL coach with flying colors, but that was like a freshman algebra exam against a Sam Bradford-less St. Louis Rams team. This weekend, Zimmer needs to ace his graduate thesis against perhaps the best coach/QB combination in NFL history, New England's Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Belichick needs one more regular-season win to get to 200 for his career while Zimmer shoots for No. 2.
Patriots 24, Vikings 20
Arizona (1-0) at New York Giants (0-1) (Pick'em), Sunday, 1 p.m. - These two long-time rivals will be meeting for the 125th time. The Cardinals have won eight of their past 10 games dating back to last season, but Giants QB Eli Manning is 3-1 in his career against Arizona, completing 27-of-40 passes for 321 yards and a 108.4 passer rating the last time the two teams met.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cardinals 20, Giants 13
Dallas (0-1) at Tennessee (1-0) (-3 1/2), Sunday, 1 p.m. - There may not be much hope in Dallas this year, but Cowboys QB Tony Romo passed for 406 yards and three TDs in his only previous start against the Titans. On the other hand, Tennessee signal caller Jake Locker has 1,451 pass yards and eight TD throws in six career games against NFC foes, including a career-high 378 yards versus Detroit on Sept. 23, 2012.
Titans 27, Cowboys 14
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jacksonville (0-1) at Washington (0-1) (-6), Sunday, 1 p.m. - The Jags conclude their two-week NFC East tour to start the season inside the Beltway against the embattled Robert Griffin III and the Redskins. RG3 was accurate in a loss at Houston last weekend but not explosive, completing 78.4 percent (29- of-37) of his passes for 267 yards. Jacksonville built up a 17-point lead in Philadelphia but faltered from there, allowing 34 unanswered points en route to the setback.
Redskins 23, Jaguars 13
Seattle (1-0) (-5 1/2) at San Diego (0-1), Sunday, 4:05 p.m. - The reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks have won five in a row dating back to last year's playoff run, outscoring their opposition 152-65 over the span and winning by an average of 17.4 points per game. San Diego will try to slow that locomotive down after a late-game collapse in Arizona.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Seahawks 31, Chargers 21
St. Louis (0-1) at Tampa Bay (0-1) (-6), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. - The Rams have real issues at the quarterback position with coach Jeff Fisher paying lip service to veteran Shaun Hill despite an awful opening-day performance against the Vikings, Austin Davis relieved Hill and put up decent numbers while ex- Texan Case Kennum also is waiting in the wings. The Bucs got off to a poor start under new head coach Lovie Smith, but QB Josh McCown generally brings it versus the Rams, completing 58-of-81 passes for 639 yards with four TDs and a 105.9 passer rating in his last two games against the club.
Buccaneers 20, Rams 13
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Kansas City (0-1) at Denver (1-0) (-13), Sunday 4:25 p.m. - The Chiefs are already in deep trouble, losing two defensive starters -- linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Mike DeVito -- to ruptured Achilles' tendons. In Week 1, Denver QB Peyton Manning became just the second passer in NFL history with 65,000 career pass yards (65,233), joining Brett Favre (71,838). Manning also beat his old team, the Indianapolis Colts, for the first time and has now defeated all 32 NFL teams in his superlative career.
Broncos 37, Chiefs 14
New York Jets (1-0) at Green Bay (0-1) (-8), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. - Geno Smith has been playing well recently, winning four of his last five starts dating back to 2013, but he and the Jets face a daunting task here. In his past 30 starts at Lambeau Field, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is 28-2 with a 75-to-17 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 112.4 passer rating.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Packers 28, Jets 17
Houston (1-0) (-3) at Oakland (0-1), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. - The Texans snapped a 14-game skid to end the 2013 season in Week 1, but lost No.1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney to a torn meniscus. Having J.J. Watt, who recorded a sack, fumble recovery and a blocked PAT against Washington last weekend, should be plenty against the hapless Raiders, who are starting rookie QB Derek Carr, who threw two TD passes in his pro debut against the Jets.
Texans 24, Raiders 17.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Chicago (0-1) at San Francisco (1-0) (-7), Sunday, 8:30 p.m. - The 49ers will be playing their first regular-season game at Levi's Stadium fresh off a 28-17 win at Dallas on Kickoff Weekend in which the team got scores on both offense and defense. Chicago is still searching for its first win of 2014 after a 23-20 overtime loss at home to Buffalo. Running back Matt Forte had 82 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards in the setback to become the first Bear with at least 80 rushing and 80 receiving yards in a season opener since Walter Payton in 1983.
49ers 24, Bears 20
Philadelphia (1-0) at Indianapolis (0-1) (-3), Monday, 8:30 p.m. - The Eagles trailed 17-0 at halftime before rallying for a 34-17 win over Jacksonville in Week 1, becoming the first team in NFL history to win a game by at least 17 points after being shut out at halftime and trailing by at least 17 points. The Colts nearly erased a 24-point deficit on their own on the road at Denver last week but fell short, losing 31-24 to the Broncos. Maybe a bigger setback happened off the field, though, as news surfaced that star pass rusher Robert Mathis, who was under suspension for the first four games, is now lost for the season due to an Achilles' injury.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Colts 35, Eagles 31