Union: 'Pacman' penalty excessive

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Dec 15, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The NFL players' union Friday appealed the seasonlong suspension of Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, calling the punishment excessive.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decided not to ease the penalty after meeting with the player Nov. 2 in New York. Three games and two full weeks remain in the 2007 season.

"It's over, and really I don't know when a decision will be made on the hearing," union spokesman Carl Francis said. "However, we fully participated in the appeal hearing and fully supported Mr. Jones throughout this process and felt as though the suspension was too excessive."

Staff counsel Tom DePaso represented the union in the conference call. The NFL declined to comment.

Jones' status will be reviewed by the league once the Titans' season ends.

Vick's last co-defendant sentenced

RICHMOND, Va. -- A fourth defendant was sentenced to two months in prison for his role in the dogfighting conspiracy that led to the downfall of NFL star Michael Vick.

Tony Taylor of Hampton, who cooperated with the government, was the first man to plead guilty in the case and the last to be sentenced. Vick, who financed the "Bad Newz Kennels" operation, was sentenced Monday to 23 months in prison. Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach and Quanis Phillips of Atlanta previously were sentenced to 18 months and 21 months, respectively.

Prosecutor Michael Gill asked U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson to sentence Taylor only to probation because of his cooperation with the government.

"He was the most significant source of information in this case," Gill said.

While Hudson said Taylor was entitled to credit for his cooperation, he did not believe such a large disparity in sentencing between Taylor and the other defendants was appropriate.

"You were as much an abuser of animals as any other defendant in this case," Hudson said.

Comcast sues NFL

NEW YORK -- Comcast and the NFL Network are going back to court, with the nation's largest cable company claiming the league is violating a contract over which the two sides are already embroiled in a lawsuit.

The complaint, filed with the New York State Supreme Court in New York County on Thursday, asks for unspecified damages because of NFL officials' efforts to encourage customers to switch from Comcast and other large cable providers to television services that carry the network as part of basic programming.

Huizenga discusses selling Dolphins

MIAMI -- Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga is discussing the sale of his struggling franchise to two real estate developers, The Miami Herald reported Friday.

Jorge Perez of Miami confirmed that he and business partner Stephen Ross, a New York builder, are talking with Huizenga about the potential deal.

The Dolphins are 0-13 in their first year under coach Cam Cameron, and they're in danger of the first 0-16 season in NFL history.

Around the league

-Marc Bulger will start at quarterback for the Rams Sunday against the Green Bay Packers after missing two games with a concussion.

-With Vinny Testaverde feeling his age, undrafted rookie Matt Moore could become the fourth quarterback to start this season for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday against Seattle.

-Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger practiced after sitting out two days because of a sore right shoulder, a sign he expects to play Sunday against Jacksonville.

-Minnesota Vikings safety Dwight Smith was cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana after his vehicle was stopped for impeding traffic at a downtown intersection Thursday night, according to the police report.

Vikings coach Brad Childress declined to say whether Smith would play Monday night against the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. He did practice with the team Friday.

-San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers split snaps with backup Billy Volek during practice and is questionable for San Diego's home game Sunday against the Detroit Lions because of a sprained knee.