When this regionalization plan went into effect last season, many Bills fans felt it was merely the first step at permanently moving the team to Toronto. I, too, was somewhat skeptical at the motive behind the idea of sacrificing a regular season home game in Orchard Park, NY for the larger market in Canada. But Bills owner Ralph Wilson assured fans the plan was part of a bigger picture to introduce the team to a wider audience, not move the team. NFL Chief Marketing Officer Mark Waller concurred, saying the goal was to “grow the NFL, not move the franchise.”

The Bills Toronto Series has been described as a way to strengthen the organization by expanding its fan base, similar to when the team moved its training camp to Rochester, NY back in 2000. But, I wonder. If the venture is deemed a success when all is said and done, is it just the beginning of the end for the Bills in Buffalo?

One thing’s for sure, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell already considers the Toronto Series a success:

“The two games up at Toronto (last) year were tremendously successful for us. We said that the objective was to regionalize the Buffalo Bills, and it achieved those objectives. We were able to increase our season ticket sales in the Toronto area significantly—over 40 percent. And I think from that standpoint, we achieved what our initial goal was. The other issue is that it’s a building process. When we first got in, we wanted to make sure it was a good experience for the two teams, that they were successful and that they could do it without any negative competitive consequences, and we achieved that objective ….. I’m very confident that (this) year’s game is going to be bigger and better. I think we’ll evaluate every aspect of the game, including pricing, and I think they’ll do a terrific job and it’ll be a great game.”

It’s yet to be seen whether the game will be great. Neither the Bills nor Jets are serious playoff contenders. But there will be plenty of fans there to see it. Monday, the game was officially announced as a sellout, further confirming that introducing the National Football League to Canada was a good idea.

Sources: NFL Media, NYTimes.com

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Buffalo Bills Toronto Series Continues

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles / Image: Zuma Press

After the decision was announced, Commissioner Goodell said:

“Ultimately, it was my decision ….. I think he’s making real progress ….. I do not want him to be put in a position where he’s overwhelmed. He’s very realistic about the challenges ahead.”

Sources: NFL.com, USA Today

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Michael Vick Eligible to Return Week 3

1. 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 previous spot.
2. If there is not an on-field ruling that the ball struck an object, the Replay Assistant is empowered to initiate a booth review, including if the event occurs prior to the two-minute warning.  If, prior to the two-minute warning, no booth review is initiated by the Replay Assistant, a coach’s challenge is permitted under the customary procedures for such a challenge.
3. In the event the down is replayed: (a)  The game clock will be reset to the time remaining when the snap occurred. (b)  All penalties will be disregarded, except for personal fouls which will be administered prior to replaying the down.

Cowboys Stadium / Image: Zuma Press

Rule 3, Section 1 of the Official NFL Playing Rules provides for an official ruling to be implemented “in the interim between the annual rules meeting” that is “official only during the current season.”  This Official Ruling expires at the conclusion of the 2009 postseason. Commissioner Goodell said:

“We will continue to address the particular circumstances in Dallas, giving full consideration to the competitive, safety and fan experience issues involved. The Cowboys have been fully cooperative as we have addressed this subject, and we will continue to work closely with the club on a longer term resolution.”

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Change in NFL Playing Rules

Plaxico Burress / Photo: Newscom

Source: NFL Media

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NFL Statement on Plaxico Burress

Michael Vick / Image: Zuma Press

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 will be communicated to Michael and all clubs. Michael is currently an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any NFL club. He is eligible to be paid based on terms negotiated with a club.

In addition–and this is the best part in my opinion–Tony Dungy has agreed to continue his work with Michael as an advisor and mentor. Commissioner Goodell will periodically evaluate Michael’s progress under this transitional step approach and consider full reinstatement for play in regular-season games by Week 6.

In a letter to Michael today, Commissioner Goodell wrote:

“My decision at that time will be based on reports from outside professionals, your probation officer, and others charged with supervising your activities, the quality of your work outside football, the absence of any further adverse involvement in law enforcement, and other concrete actions that you take that are consistent with your representations to me. This step-by-step approach is not meant to be a further punishment and should not be viewed as such. Instead, it is intended to maximize the prospect that you can successfully resume your career and your life. I believe that a transitional approach with a strong network of support will give you the best opportunity to manage effectively the various issues and pressures that you will inevitably face in the coming weeks and months and earn your full reinstatement.”

Of course, Michael had been suspended indefinitely since August 2007 after pleading guilty to federal criminal charges relating to his involvement in an interstate dogfighting enterprise. He was released from federal custody last Monday (July 20) but is still serving three years of probation.

In reviewing the matter, Commissioner Goodell considered the court records; written submissions made by Michael, his representatives, and others; reports and recommendations of outside professionals; interviews with family and associates conducted by NFL Security personnel; numerous conversations that Commissioner Goodell had with current and former players and others; and a hearing on July 22 at which the Commissioner spoke in person with Michael, his representatives, and NFLPA officials.

Following are additional excerpts from Commissioner Goodell’s letter to Michael:

• “Among the conditions of this reinstatement, you are required to abide by the terms of the supervised release that were imposed on you by the court, which include not committing any further crime, limits on who you may associate with, prohibitions regarding drug and alcohol use, possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, and forbidding you to own, possess or be involved with the sale of any dog.”
• “Apart from these conditions, you have submitted to me a written plan concerning your proposed living arrangements, how you will manage your financial affairs, counseling and mentoring plans, and your proposed work with the Humane Society and other groups. You have committed to me that you intend to abide by this plan, and as I said when we met, you are accountable for doing so.”
• “I am also encouraged by your recognition that you cannot do this yourself, and that outside mentors and continued counseling will provide you with valuable support and assistance. After discussing possible mentors with you, I have asked Coach Tony Dungy to continue his work with you and to initiate a more formal mentoring relationship with you. Earlier today, we discussed in detail with Coach Dungy the precise nature of that relationship, and I share your view that Coach Dungy can help you in many ways as you rebuild your life and resume your career. I will stay in close touch with Coach Dungy and his views will be part of my decision concerning whether and when you return to play. I encourage you and Coach Dungy to select other mentors and advisors who can help in other phases of your life.”
• “In deciding whether to reinstate a player, I have stressed my belief that playing in the NFL is a privilege. It is not an entitlement. Everyone fortunate enough to be part of the league is held to a standard of conduct higher than that generally expected in society and is correspondingly accountable when that standard of conduct is not met. I have also endorsed an approach under which players who have been suspended for a significant amount of time, as you have been, may through a series of steps demonstrate that they have addressed their prior problems, that they can make good decisions, and that they conduct themselves in a way that is lawful, responsible, and consistent with NFL values.”
• “As I emphasized to you when we met, as I have said in other cases, it is actions that count. I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around and that you intend to be a positive role model for others. I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands.”
• “Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited. I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you.”

Michael, in turn, released his own statement via agent Joel Segal:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Commissioner Roger Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League. I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am fully thankful for that opportunity I have been given. As you can imagine, the last two years have given me the time to reevaluate my life, mature as an individual, and fully understand the terrible mistakes I made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward. Again, I would like to thank Commissioner Goodell for the chance to return to the game I love and the opportunity to become an example of positive change. Finally, I want to sincerely thank Coach Dungy for being in my corner, and I look forward to him being a mentor for me.”

I made it very clear all along that I was not in favor of Michael being reinstated into the National Football League. I felt his crime was so heinous that he really didn’t deserve the privilege of playing in the NFL again. But after 19 months in prison, I’m sure he had plenty of time to reflect on the mistakes he made in the past. And hopefully the mistakes can be just that—in the past, for everyone.

With coach Dungy as his mentor, I think Michael has someone who can certainly give him a fine example of how to conduct himself. I hope he listens to coach Dungy and moves forward in a positive direction with this gift of a second chance. And I do wish him the best as he essentially starts not only a second career, but a second life.

Source: NFL Media

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Michael Vick’s Conditional Reinstatement

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell / Photo: Newscom

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 before taking action. He has already initiated a review of the felony weapons charge against Plax, whose actual trial might not start until after the 2009 season.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Roger Goodell to Review Vick, Burress

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell / Photo: Newscom

• “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 led to your conviction plainly violates both the Personal Conduct and Substances of Abuse policies. Either provides me with full authority to take appropriate disciplinary action against you, including a fine or suspension without pay, and to impose appropriate conditions on your continued participation in the NFL. In this case, there is ample evidence to warrant significant discipline under both policies.”
• “There is no reasonable dispute that your continued eligibility for participation at this time would undermine the integrity of and public confidence in our league. Accordingly, I have decided to suspend you indefinitely, effective immediately. In due course, we will contact your representatives to schedule a meeting with you, after which I will make a final determination on discipline. Pending my final determination, you will not be permitted to visit the club’s facility or participate in any team activities.”
• “Everyone associated with the league derives tremendous benefits from participating in our game and from the extraordinary support we receive from the public. With these benefits comes, among other things, the responsibility to conduct ourselves in a lawful and responsible way, with no entitlement to or expectation of favorable treatment.”

Under NFL policies, all NFL employees recognize that alcohol-related violations of law will not be tolerated and that they will be held accountable over and above any sanctions imposed by a court of law. This accountability to the NFL for alcohol-related violations of law includes discipline in the form of major fines and suspensions without pay. The level of discipline is significantly increased in cases involving aggravating circumstances and/or repeat offenses.

In addition to a comprehensive testing and treatment program for substance abuse, the NFL and NFL Players Association have extensive education and prevention resources available to players and all other league and club employees. One of those resources is a “safe rides” program used by most clubs to provide players and other employees with alternative means of transportation if they have consumed alcoholic beverages. Commissioner Goodell notified all clubs earlier this year that there will be increased emphasis on addressing DUIs and other misconduct.

Source: NFL Media

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Roger Goodell’s Letter to Donte’ Stallworth

Donte' Stallworth, Cleveland Browns / Image: Zuma Press

Cleveland Browns GM General Manager George Kokinis made the following statement:

“The Browns are very conscious of the seriousness of the charges to which Donte’ Stallworth plead guilty to today. We are continuing to evaluate the situation and will make the decisions that we believe are in the best interest of the Cleveland Browns.”

Some people will say this punishment is not enough. But in Donte’s defense, he had an excellent pre-accident history of community service, plenty of references that attested to his good character, no traffic violations or criminal convictions, a complete post-incident cooperation with law enforcement, and a willingness to accept complete responsibility for his actions. Therefore, the terms of the plea were agreed upon between the State Attorney’s office and the police. And the Reyes family was in agreement. Obviously, no sentence can bring Mario Reyes back to his family. But the idea is that this plea deal will provide them some kind of closure as a just punishment.

Bringing football back into the equation, I wonder how NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will rule in this matter? I do know he will make a decision before training camp. And if the price is similar to what Leonard Little paid (on a guilty plea of involuntary manslaughter after killing someone while driving drunk in 1998), it will be an eight game suspension.

Source: ClevelandBrowns.com

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Donte’ Stallworth Pleads Guilty

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 committed to conducting himself responsibly. When he spoke to the media recently, he talked about making changes and better decisions and we believe he is moving forward in a positive direction.”

Marshawn did seem pretty sincere in his own statement denouncing his recent behavior, saying he “never meant to get into trouble” and was ready to “set my pavement straight.” So I think he’ll be fine. And considering what the Bills have in “backup” running back Fred Jackson, I think the team will be fine, too. Fred is still one of the best kept secrets in the National Football League. Of course, he hasn’t shown up for any offseason activities yet and the team needs to consider giving him a new contract. But, he’ll be in uniform for those first three games and he’ll be the go-to guy until Marshawn gets back.

Source: BuffaloBills.com, Photo: Newscom

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Marshawn Lynch Suspended Three Games

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 he has remorse for what he did and that he recognizes mistakes that he made. Everyone makes mistakes, but he has to show that genuine remorse in his ability to be a positive influence to correct the things that he did wrong publicly.”

How hard can that be? All Michael has to do is say he deeply regrets what he did (publicly, duh) and maybe make a few smart (common sense) public relations decisions and he’s good to go. I’m sorry, I don’t sympathize with Michael’s situation. He’s been in prison for almost two years. Yes, he’s paid his debt to society and yes he deserves another chance to get his life together. But does that mean he’s entitled to the privileges — and I emphasize privileges — of employment in the National Football League again? I don’t think so. Commissioner Goodell said “everyone makes mistakes.” That is true. I certainly make my fair share of them. But, not everyone tortures and kills dogs for fun. I guess there are varying levels of mistakes that need to be taken into consideration here. The Commissioner also said he needs to know all the facts about Michael before making a judgment. Like he doesn’t know them already? The facts have been pretty well documented for the entire world to read. I don’t know what other facts he could be talking about.

Essentially, there will be two sides here — those that think dogs are “just animals” and those who support animal rights. Obviously, I am of the latter. Maybe Michael is a changed man. Maybe he is truly sorry for what he did. I can’t express enough how I hope that’s true. But that doesn’t mean he should have his hand stamped for re-entry into the league again just because he says he’s sorry. If the Commissioner is really sincere about enforcing the type of behavior he not only expects, but demands, from NFL players, he’ll make an example of Michael’s situation and “revoke his membership” permanently. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Well, the punishment should fit the crime.

Source: USA Today, Photo: Newscom

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Commissioner to Reinstate Michael Vick?