NFL owners OK new conduct policy
NFL owners unanimously approved changes to the personal conduct policy Wednesday, but Commissioner Roger Goodell will retain authority to rule on appeals.
A special counsel for investigations and conduct will oversee initial discipline, Goodell said.
“This will be a highly qualified individual with a criminal justice background hired as soon as possible for the newly created position,” Goodell said. “The person will oversee our investigations and decide the discipline for violations of the policy.”
The commissioner also may appoint a panel of independent experts to participate in deciding an appeal.
A more extensive list of prohibited conduct will be included in the policy, as well as specific criteria for paid leave for anyone charged with a crime of violence, including domestic violence.
The players’ union has sought negotiations with the NFL on any revamping of the policy, and said Tuesday it would “reserve the right to take any and all actions” should the owners act unilaterally. The union could consider Wednesday’s vote by the owners as a violation of the collective bargaining agreement reached in 2011 to end the lockout of the players.
“We expected today’s vote by the NFL owners from before Thanksgiving,” NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah said on Twitter. “Our union has not seen their new policy.”
That new policy will include a conduct committee made up of several team owners that will review the policy at least annually and recommend appropriate changes. That committee will seek advice from outside experts, the NFL said.
Members of the committee will be Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill as the chairman; Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank; Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt; Dee Haslam, the wife of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam; Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Charlotte Jones Anderson, chairwoman of the NFL Foundation; Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey; Houston Texans owner Robert McNair; and two former NFL players who have a stake in NFL team ownership, Warrick Dunn of the Falcons and John Stallworth of the Steelers.
Newton out: Panthers coach Ron Rivera says quarterback Derek Anderson will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in place of Cam Newton, who is recovering from an automobile accident that left him with two fractures in his lower back.
Rivera says it’s highly unlikely Newton will suit up against the Buccaneers.
Newton was discharged from the hospital Wednesday. He was not at the team’s facility and Rivera says he will be reevaluated next week.
The coach says he met with Newton on Tuesday and “in true Cam fashion, he was disappointed for his teammates.”
Rivera says he has confidence in Anderson, pointing out “he’s had some success in this league.”
Anderson started against Tampa Bay in the season opener and threw two touchdown passes, leading the Panthers to a 20-14 victory.
Manziel’s turn: His name atop the depth chart, Johnny Manziel intends to block out the hype and “just play football” in his first NFL start.
The Browns are starting the rookie sensation Sunday against the AFC North-leading Bengals over slumping veteran Brian Hoyer as Cleveland tries to keep its playoff hopes alive. Manziel said getting the chance to start is “a dream come true” and he’s not going into the game with any expectations.
Manziel expects the atmosphere at FirstEnergy Stadium will “be nuts” as Browns fans finally get their first extensive regular-season look at Johnny Football. Manziel said the coaching staff is making he he’s “over-prepared” for the game.
Falcons getting healthy: Star receiver Julio Jones and safety William Moore are making improvement from injuries as the Atlanta Falcons prepare to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Falcons limited their work to a walk-through Wednesday, looking to recover from a Monday night loss to the Green Bay Packers. But coach Mike Smith said Jones and Moore would not have been able to practice, even if it had been a normal workout.
That said, Smith says he remains confident that both players will be able to go Sunday against the Steelers.
Jones went out late in the 43-37 loss with a hip injury after making 11 catches for a team-record 259 yards.