Why is Goodell still in charge of NFL?
Let me go on record — I haven’t liked Roger Goodell and his appointment as commissioner of the National Football League since day one.
Two major scandals have occurred under his watch: Spygate, involving the New England Patriots, and the pay-for-injury fiasco involving the New Orleans Saints known as Bountygate.
If he was dealt a full house or flush at the poker table, Goodell is the kind of guy who would figure out a way to lose.
Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints quarterback, says Goodell has credibility issues with NFL players and fans. A few people out there are tired of Brees and his take on things, but I do know Goodell is out for two things — greed and the owners.
He sometimes thinks he can speak for the fans when he said people wanted an 18-game schedule and fewer preseason games. He’s only half right — yes to fewer preseason games, but the 18-game thing is a joke.
In all the years of doing what it is I do, and with all the people I’ve encountered, I’ve never heard anyone say, “Hey, I hope the NFL goes to an 18-game season.”
His player safety stance is a total contradiction; he had teams playing three games in 11 days this year. There is NFL football on Thursday night, Sunday afternoon and evenings and Monday night football. The NFL has come up with stats saying the schedule has not increased injuries, but I thought the league was worried about long-term consequences and not just next week.
Goodell’s latest nonsensical idea is banning kickoffs from football. There he was — on the Time magazine cover — boasting about the eventual ban of one of the most integral parts of the game.
What? Plus the safety proclamations have become boring and old to the point where you want to take the foot out of football. There’s only one question I have. What is he doing still running the league?
A for effort:I know the Bulls are not going deep into the playoffs, but the effort they have shown has been great and there is no doubt they come to play. Tom Thibodeau gets an A for having the team ready. Many of the players who come from winning college basketball programs are bringing their A game even without teammate Derrick Rose. Joakim Noah deserves to be an all-star this year for sure.NFL picks:Last week was a push, so my season record stands at 14-13-2. This week, I#146;ll take the Chicago Bears (+3) over the Green Bay Packers.Upcoming: Look for me on Mancow#146;s show at 6 p.m. Monday and Friday on Ch. 50 (WPRW).I#146;ll be at Aurora Christian High School on Saturday with former NFL star Don Beebe at 3 p.m. He will be signing his book, #147;Six Rings From Nowhere.#148;Ÿ Mike North#146;s column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.