By Staff
We would like to congratulate the National Football League for taking a stance on player conduct.
New NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said that there will be a new policy announced shortly to the league owners.
The NFL has been embarrassed recently by numerous off-field offenses by its players.
No place has that been more obvious than in Cincinnati, where it seems like the Bengals players are always running afoul of the law.
Cincinnati alone has had nine players arrested.
The straw that broke the preverbal camel's back was probably Tennessee Titans' cornerback Pacman Jones' possible felony conviction for obstructing police back in February.
A little close to home, Chicago Bears defensive lineman Tank Johnson will spend four months in jail for violating his probation, which stemmed from several gun charges.
Goodell has the authority to put such a plan in place without the assistance of the owners. He also has the right to put a new policy into effect immediately.
There is no doubt that new steps must be taken to control the perceived "lawlessness" in the NFL.
He plans to present his plan to the owners in Phoenix, Ariz. on Tuesday.
Fans are becoming numb to these types of problems.
They should be embarrassed by the arrests.
Although full details of the new policies have not been released, some things are beginning to leak out.
Goodell is going to have the right to suspend players who repeatedly have run-ins with law enforcement officials.
Players like Jones, who has had 10 brushes with the law, but no convictions, could fall under that new policy as soon as it is implemented.
While Goodell doesn't need the owners to approve a new discipline policy, he may find some roadblocks from the Player's Union.
However, according to published reports, Goodell has been working for support from the union, as well as the owners, head coaches, players and executives.
We believe that a new policy will benefit everyone.
The NFL knows that its success is based on fan approval. With growing numbers of fans becoming disenchanted with the product, it is time to stand up and take notice.
This is a step in the right direction.
Way to go, Goodell.