NEW ORLEANS — One day after an NFL official said that the league has the right to use replacement players during the lockout, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made a strong statement that isn’t the direction the league is heading.
"We have not had any discussions or consideration of using replacement players," Goodell said today as the NFL wrapped up its annual league meetings. "It’s not in our plans."
So, apparently there won’t be any need for a sequel of "The Replacements"
The NFL used replacement players during the 1987 NFL strike. They were referred to as "scabs" by striking players, and the nickname stuck.
THE COMMISH HANDS OUT MORE FINES, THIS TIME TO TEAMS ~ NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said today that five NFL teams were fined for having illegal contact with players during a designated dead period.
"They were fined," Goodell said.
The punishment stems from a violation of a provision of the collective bargaining agreement.
The NFL didn’t disclose the teams or fine amounts and league executive Jeff Pash said after the press conference that the five teams are either being fined or investigated.
The Miami Dolphins are regarded as one of them because of the contact between quarterback Chad Henne and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and other staffers.
"Five teams were contacted, whether they were inquiries or fines or some of each, I haven’t read the letters so I don’t know," Pash said. "The commissioner sort of rather strongly suggested that one team in South Florida might have crossed the line. Beyond that, I don’t know."
The Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers are also considered likely violators of the rule, according to published reports regarding the contact that took place between new head coaches/coordinators and their players.
The NFL released the following portion of the collective bargaining agreement that governs the violations:
"There have been rules in place for years that govern what is permissible prior to the start of the offseason program. It is the interpretation of Article XXXV of the CBA. Before the offseason program begins, generally around March 15, players are permitted to use the Club’s facilities on a voluntary basis subject to the following rules:
(i) such players may not receive per diem payments or workout bonuses of any kind and may not be paid or reimbursed expenses for travel, board or lodging during this period;
(ii) such players are not permitted to participate in organized workouts, practices or meetings of any kind;
(iii) the Club’s strength and conditioning coaches may not direct such players’ individual workouts, but may supervise use of the weight room to prevent injury, correct misuse of equipment, etc.;
(iv) such players may not be directed or supervised by position coaches during this period."
WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY, WILL THE MICE PLAY? The league isn’t enforcing its personal conduct policy during the lockout, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said today during a press conference at the close of the annual league meetings.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello reiterated after the press conference that the NFL will monitor arrests or any other trouble with the law and then implement its usual code of conduct and punishments following the end of the work stoppage.
Goodell said he believes that it’s important for the NFL and the fans that the personal conduct policy be respected.
And Goodell said if a player violated the personal conduct policy he doesn’t know how it would apply during the lockout.
