Quotables: Roger Goodell admits mistake with Ray Rice suspension, Adrian Peterson wanted to play for the Cowboys
Also, Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder wants a new palace for his team.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
- Roger Goodell, on his handling of Ray Rice's domestic violence situation
The hot button topic of the NFL offseason was the grainy video of Baltimore Raven's running back Ray Rice dragging his fiancé (now wife) Janay Palmer out of an elevator after allegedly knocking her unconscious. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell responded with several poorly received moves, including questioning Palmer about the incident with Rice present and suspending the tailback for the first two games of the 2014 season. Many observers pointed to the year-long suspension for Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon for substance abuse (since upheld) and decried the NFL's incongruous disciplinary policies. Goodell claims he hears his critics:
“My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families. I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future reflect our values.”
In response to the widespread criticism of the league’s domestic violence policies, Goodell will exact a six game suspension for first time offenders and a lifetime ban for second offenses going forward.
“Well, we’ll see what we can do, if we can make that happen.”
- Jerry Jones, talking to Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson about bringing him to Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys are no stranger to mega trades involving a star running back in his late twenties. During the first year of Jimmy Johnson's tenure as head coach, they secured the future of their franchise by sending Pro Bowler Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a bevy of first- and second-round draft picks. The Vikings got two and a half unspectacular seasons out of Walker while the Cowboys used Minnesota's draft picks to build a three-time Super Bowl Champion. Somehow, Jerry Jones learned nothing from the experience, at least according to ESPN's Don Van Natta:
“Jones returns the phone to its owner, who turns out to be a Morgan Stanley money manager who is a friend of Peterson’s. Jones’ conversation with the league’s marquee running back occurs about a month after Jones decided to pass on Johnny Football.
“Adrian Peterson would make one helluva consolation prize.”
In the end, Jones did not trade for Adrian Peterson. However, if one believes Van Natta’s account, it seems clear that the Cowboys owner hasn’t lost his Wild West ways.
“We love FedEx Field, it’s a great place to feature our home games, but it’s 17 years old now. So I think it’s time for us to start looking, and we’re doing it.”
- Daniel Snyder, on looking for a new venue for the Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins have been in news mainly due to the ongoing PR battle over their nickname and the health and effectiveness of their starting quarterback Robert Griffin III. But now team owner Daniel Snyder has another concern - finding a new stadium. Even though Washington currently plays at FedEx Field, a venue less than 20 years old, its owner no longer believes it's a proper venue for his football team. Instead, Snyder wants a new stadium that feels like an old stadium:
“You don’t just build a stadium and find a site and start breaking ground. It does take time. We’ve already seen some preliminary drawings, and I’m going to be very retro with it. It’s going to feel like RFK. It’s going to move like RFK. I love that. I actually asked the architectural firm to do it, and they said they could do it, so I said I think that the local bowl sections are going to want to rock the stadium like the old days.”
Going to feel like RFK? That’s going to hard to replicate unless the architects bring in cockroaches and other wildlife. The more pressing concern is whether this is the right time for an owner under heavy public scrutiny to start looking for a new stadium and the public money required to fund it.
“I accept it. Money well spent.”
- Peyton Manning, on the NFL fining him for jawing with Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning isn't usually the type to pick up personal foul penalties. That's why it was quite surprising when he got in the face of Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger following a hit to the helmet of teammate Wes Welker. Given that Swearinger's hit resulted in a concussion, it's easy to understand Manning's frustration. According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the quarterback is moving on from the incident:
“Manning told Chris Mortensen of ESPN that the NFL docked him $8,268 for unsportsmanlike conduct and he will not appeal.”
Considering that Peyton Manning will earn $15 million in base salary alone this season, $8,268 is practically pocket change. When you’re making that kind of money, it’s easier to speak your mind, something Manning doesn’t hesitate to do.
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