National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick for 45 minutes today and ruled that Michael will be officially eligible to play beginning in Week 3 of the 2009 season (a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs). This marks Michael’s full return to the NFL after spending almost two tears in prison for his role in running a dogfighting ring. That being said, I wasn’t sure I would ever see the day that MV would play in the NFL again. Especially not this quickly. But the process of returning to the game has been …read more

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified National Football League clubs of a change in rules for the 2009 season relating to the video board over the field at the new Cowboys Stadium but that will also potentially apply in other situations. After consulting with the Competition Committee and NFL staff, the commissioner said the following will be in effect for all remaining preseason, regular season, and postseason games of the 2009 season:

If a ball in play strikes a video board, guide wire, sky cam, or any other object, the ball will be dead immediately, and the down will be replayed at the …read more

Plaxico Burress is not under contract to an NFL team. In light of his plea today, Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Burress and informed him that he is ineligible to sign with any team until he completes his jail term. Commissioner Goodell said Burress will be reinstated and eligible to sign with an NFL team upon the completion of his sentence. Burress was notified on June 26 that Commissioner Goodell had initiated a review of the matter for potential discipline under the NFL’s Personal Conduct and Weapons policies. Commissioner Goodell and members of his staff conducted a hearing with Burress …read more

Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Michael Vick today that he has been reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis and will be considered for full reinstatement and to play in regular-season games by Week 6 (October 18-19) based on the progress he makes in his transition plan.
Under the conditions of the reinstatement, Michael may participate without delay in preseason practices, workouts, meetings, and he may play in his club’s final two preseason games. Once the regular season begins, Michael may participate in all team activities other than games, subject to specific guidelines developed by the NFL Player Personnel Department that …read more

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be spending his summer reviewing the legal situations of a number of different players—most notably receiver Plaxico Burress and quarterback Michael Vick. The Commissioner said he was beginning to focus on evaluating Michael’s situation and that a decision will come in “due time” on whether to reinstate him. Commissioner Goodell did say there was no real timeline until after Michael is released from home confinement and federal custody on July 20.
On the other hand, as far as Plaxico is concerned, Commissioner Goodell said he would not wait for the legal process to run its course …read more

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Cleveland Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth today that he is suspended indefinitely without pay from the National Football League, effective immediately. Following are excerpts from Commissioner Goodell’s letter to Donte’:

“The conduct reflected in your guilty plea resulted in the tragic loss of life and was inexcusable. While the criminal justice system has determined the legal consequences of this incident, it is my responsibility as NFL Commissioner to determine appropriate league discipline for your actions, which have caused irreparable harm to the victim and his family, your club, your fellow players and the NFL.”
“The conduct that …read more

Cleveland Browns receiver Donte’ Stallworth settled his criminal and civil cases resulting from a drunk driving accident that killed 59-year-old Floridian Mario Reyes back in March. After pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter, Donte’ will get 30 days in jail, two years of house arrest and eight years of probation. He will donate $2,500 each to Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Parents of Murdered Children. And he will lose his driver’s license forever. Donte’ has already been taken into custody and his 30-day prison sentence is underway.
Cleveland Browns GM General Manager George Kokinis made the following statement:
“The Browns are very conscious of …read more

Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was suspended three games today (the first three games of the 2009 season) for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. This ruling comes about one month after Marshawn pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in Los Angeles. It was his second run-in with the law. He was involved in a hit-and-run accident in Buffalo in May.

In turn, the Bills released the following statement:
“We have been informed by the league as to Commissioner Goodell’s decision regarding the suspension of Marshawn Lynch. We fully support the NFL Personal Conduct Policy and believe that Marshawn is …read more

If the statement that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made yesterday is true, expect to see Michael Vick back in the NFL this season or next.

The NFL Annual Meeting concluded, but not before Commissioner Goodell made it clear what Michael would have to do to return to the playing field:
“I’m not going to make a judgment until I know all the facts on Michael Vick. I think it’s clear he’s paid a price, but to a large extent he’s going to have to demonstrate to the larger community — not just to the NFL community and to me — that …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants a longer regular season. And he’s ready to propose a 17 or 18 game schedule to team owners in May that could take effect as soon as 2011. Of course, there are several obstacles to hurdle, like a new collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union. But, the Commissioner discussed the possibility this week at the NFL Annual Meeting:
“It’s possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core discussions on this. Anytime you have change, there is some reluctance. But it’s clear we don’t need four …read more