CINCINNATI — Sorry, Troy Polamalu. Commissioner Roger Goodell said active NFL players won’t be deciding punishment for flagrant hits that merit fines.
Goodell wants to hear their opinions, though.
The commissioner said Monday the league has been opposed to allowing active players or team officials to get involved in deciding punishments. The league recently increased its enforcement of rules against flagrant hits.
The Steelers safety has been outspoken against the crackdown, saying it has caused paranoia around the league. Teammate James Harrison has been fined $100,000 for three hits, prompting him to talk briefly about retiring. Polamalu suggested last week that current players and team officials should be involved in deciding punishments.
Goodell indicated that’s not going to happen.
“There are league executives involved, and there are former players involved,” Goodell said Monday. “I think having active players and active front-office executives is something the competition committee has always frowned on.”
Campbell in good standing
ALAMEDA, Calif. — Jason Campbell might have done enough to win back the starting quarterback job for the Raiders even after Bruce Gradkowski recovers from a separated shoulder.
Just last week, coach Tom Cable said the quarterback situation was “clear-cut” and Gradkowski would be the starter when he was healthy. But Cable backtracked Monday and said he might stick with Campbell, who just led Oakland to its first three- game winning streak since 2002 following a 23-20 overtime win over Kansas City.
“I really haven’t wavered, but I do have a belief in me about, you know, when you’re dealing it and you got the hot hand, and things are going in the right direction for your football team, you know, why would you make a change?” Cable said. “That’s what I think right now, but in the back of my mind I also say: ‘It’s not really making a change. He was the starter before I made the change with Bruce, and he’s kind of come back and done a lot of good things for our team.’ “
Cable said he would probably announce his decision next Monday when he has a better grasp of Gradkowski’s health, but it’s clear which way it’s looking when the Raiders return from the bye to face the Steelers on Nov. 21.
Footnotes.
One day after Austin Collie lay motionless on the field for nearly 10 minutes, Colts coach Jim Caldwell said the second-year receiver returned to Indianapolis on the team flight and was recovering from a concussion. Collie has to be cleared by team doctors and an independent neurological specialist before he can get back in pads.
• Giants center Adam Koets tore ligaments in his knee during Sunday’s victory at Seattle and will miss the rest of the season.
• Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford’s status is uncertain after he hurt his right shoulder late in the fourth quarter Sunday in a 23-20 overtime loss to the Jets.
• Linebacker Derrick Johnson signed a five-year contract extension with Kansas City that includes a $15 million guarantee.
• Receiver Randy Moss joined his new team, passed a physical, worked out and met with coaches to start learning the Titans’ offense.
The Associated Press
