NFL Commissioner Goodell still reviewing gun-related arrests of Cleveland Browns players

PD fileNFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is still reviewing the gun-related arrests of Browns defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Robaire Smith.

BEREA, Ohio --

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spent several hours visiting Browns training camp Thursday, fielding questions from season-ticket holders, media and players.

But one question Goodell did not answer conclusively is whether Browns defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Robaire Smith will face league suspensions for separate gun-related arrests over the past eight months.

Goodell said both incidents are still under review by his staff. He offered no timetable on making a ruling. But Goodell, who has made player conduct a high priority since succeeding Paul Tagliabue in 2006, sounded as if both players will face some discipline for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Rogers was arrested April 1 for carrying a loaded gun in a luggage bag while passing through a security checkpoint at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Rogers avoided a felony charge July 15 by entering a diversion program and agreeing to community service.

Smith was arrested in November for a similar offense in Bishop Airport in Flint, Mich. That incident, a misdemeanor offense in Michigan, did not come to light until recently, blindsiding even team President Mike Holmgren.

"Obviously, it's a clear mistake," Goodell said. "It is a violation of law. It's the kind of judgments that we have to make sure we do a better job of avoiding."

The same day Rogers entered the diversion program, he assisted police in pulling over an erratic driver on I-71 in Middleburg Heights by calling 9-1-1.

Goodell, who said he was aware of the latter incident, would not say if the Good Samaritan act would play a role in disciplining Rogers.

"It's a great example of a young man making a mistake on one hand and doing something very positive on the other," he said. "It's another demonstration that our guys do wonderful things on and off the field. They're going to make mistakes, though, and obviously they made a couple of mistakes here."

Goodell addressed the Browns' team later in the evening, but he said he would not specifically meet with Rogers and Smith to discuss their incidents.

The visit with the players focused entirely on resolving labor issues to reach a new collective bargaining agreement and avoid a work stoppage in 2011. Unlike previous NFL disputes, this one was initiated by team owners, who exercised their right to opt out of the previous CBA. Players union leaders believe the owners are preparing to lock out the players if a new agreement isn't reached by March.

The major issues are that owners want to roll back the amount of revenue devoted to player payroll and expand the regular season to 18 games while cutting out two preseason games.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a member of the union's executive committee, said: "There have been 15 negotiation sessions and that's all we've heard -- 18 percent cutback (in player salaries), 18 games. That's it. Unfortunately there's not a whole lot of good news to report."

Goodell said: "This is something that is going to be settled at the negotiating table. I think we need to get to work. We need to find solutions to our issues. That's what people want, what our fans want, and that should be everyone's intent."

Goodell began the day in Latrobe, Pa., visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. He took a small plane to Cleveland and appeared on the Browns' practice field at about 2:45 p.m. He was joined by Hall of Fame coach and network analyst John Madden, who arrived later via a luxury bus, in fielding questions of Browns season-ticket holders after practice.

"I thought it was fantastic," said Bill Carothers of Chagrin Falls, a Browns season ticket-holder since 1975. "Having him come in here was an honor."

Madden revealed a little known fact when asked to name the one rule that has changed the game the most. He cited making it illegal for cornerbacks to bump receivers after 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.

"Paul Brown was against [making contact with receivers] and really was the one who got that changed," Madden said. "It's a lot easier to pass today because of it."

Other topics Goodell covered:

•He wants to reduce the preseason to two games and expand the regular season to 18. With it would come a complete revamping of off-season programs, expanded rosters, new injury list rules and probably a developmental league.

"[Preseason] games are just not up to the standards of the NFL. We owe you more than that," he said to a fan questioning the high price of tickets.

But there is no thought of simply reducing the price of tickets for preseason games and keeping the current 4-16 game format.

"It wouldn't change the quality of the product," Goodell said. "The quality of the product is still something the fans don't want to see. The quality of the product is about seeing the players they want to see in meaningful games. That's where our focus is."

•He wants the union to agree to a rookie wage scale that would eliminate training camp holdouts and huge salary guarantees to unproven draft picks.

"I think our rookie compensation system is broken," Goodell said. "Its' been a source of negotiations we've had. I think our compensation system should reward the players for their performance on an NFL field. It's something I've heard from our players about. It's something we have to address in the collective bargaining agreement."

•He predicts better things to come for the Browns.

"I think what [Mike] Holmgren has brought to this organization is very positive. He's looking at every aspect of the organization and trying to improve it. I think we're going to see a vastly improved product this year," Goodell said.

Notepad: Cornerback Chris Roberson, who injured a leg defending a pass Wednesday, "won't be back anywhere in the next couple weeks," Eric Mangini said. The coach had no further update on the specifics of the injury. . . . Punter Dave Zastudil is expected back today after having his surgically repaired right knee re-examined.