As Commissioner Roger Goodell embarks on an overhaul of the personal-conduct policy, he has done something that some players would say he hasn’t done enough — he has asked former players for input.
According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post, Goodell met with 11 former NFL players to discuss changes to the NFL’s current approach of off-field player misconduct.
Attending the session at 345 Park Avenue were Mike Singletary, Willie McGinest, Roman Oben, Eddie Mason, Matt Birk, Patrick Kerney, Robert Porcher, Charles Way, Scott Turner, Tony Paige, and Marty Lyons.
A 12th former player, Troy Vincent, attended the 3.5-hour meeting in his capacity as the executive V.P. of football operations.
Goodell plans to seek input from other experts and the NFL Players Association, with the goal of unveiling a new conduct policy before the Super Bowl. The biggest question continues to be Goodell’s role in the enforcement of the new policy.
Currently, Goodell makes the initial decision regarding discipline, and he has the right to handle the appeal of the outcome. At a minimum, look for him to surrender the initial decision to an expert in disciplinary matters. Ultimately, Goodell will have a hard time yielding final say regarding any punishment that comes from presiding over the appeal process.