INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL has a problem with the head of the AFL-CIO’s offer to mediate the league’s labor talks.
In a letter obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka offered to sit down with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith to work on the parameters for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Smith is a member of the executive council of the AFL-CIO, a labor union federation.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello wrote in an e-mail to the AP: “No one would suggest that the owner of an NFL club or a member of its board could serve as an effective, neutral mediator. The same is true of the leader of the AFL-CIO.”
The current CBA expires in March.
Packers’ Zombo fined
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Packers linebacker Frank Zombo said he was fined $7,500 by the NFL for his hit on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on Monday night.
Zombo was penalized for roughing the passer after making contact with Cutler’s helmet on the hit in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Bears. The penalty wiped out an interception by linebacker Nick Barnett and helped the Bears drive for a game-tying field goal.
Revis out of lineup.
Cornerback Darrelle Revis will miss the Jets’ game at Buffalo on Sunday, sitting out a second straight game while he recovers from a strained left hamstring.
“If I was out there right now, I’d be hurting the team. I just need to be 100 percent,” Revis said.
• The Jets signed Trevor Pryce, reuniting the former Ravens defensive end with New York coach Rex Ryan.
“The guy’s a finisher,” Ryan said.
Colts’ Mathis honored.
Colts defensive end Robert Mathis was named September’s AFC defensive player of the month.
It’s the second time he’s won the award after being selected last November. Mathis has recorded four sacks in the Colts’ first three games, giving him a share of the AFC lead and tying him for second in the NFL.
Against Eli Manning and the Giants in Week 2, Mathis had two sacks and forced one fumble. His 11 tackles are tops among Colts’ defensive linemen.
Footnotes.
Saints coach Sean Payton says he’ll wait until Sunday to decide whether hobbled running back Pierre Thomas (ankle) plays against Carolina.
• Ravens running back Ray Rice says his bruised right knee should not prevent him from playing Sunday against the Steelers.
• The Bills will be without at least two defensive starters for Sunday’s game against the Jets after linebacker Andra Davis (shoulder) and defensive end Marcus Stroud (ankle) were ruled out because of injuries.
• Rams running back Steven Jackson has missed his second day of practice, and it was unclear whether he will play Sunday against Seattle.
• The Bengals unanimously gave the NFL Players Association approval to decertify as part of its bargaining strategy with the league.
• The Lions signed safety Dante Wesley and released safety Randy Phillips.
The Associated Press
