Roger Goodell said in his long-awaited press conference on Friday that he had no intention on resigning. The biggest question now is, of course, “Why the hell not?”
I’m not Goodell’s boss and I’m not one to go around saying that hard-working people should lose their jobs, but in Goodell’s case, the only thing that he works hard it is apparently cover-ups and he’s not very good at it either.
The negatives are far outweighing the positives from Goodell’s reign as commissioner of the NFL.
The biggest positive is the amount of money he has made the owners – his bosses – and how he has grown the game. Really though, with the position the league was in when Goodell took over from Paul Tagliabue, football was already on a rollercoaster ride to the top and the money was always going to come in.
As proven by what Goodell has done while in charge, anybody with even the slightest bit of aptitude for this position could have raked in a huge amount of money.
My favourite part of Friday’s press conference was when a TMZ reporter asked Goodell how his entire legal department couldn’t get the Rice elevator tape when all it took TMZ was a single phone call. Goodell’s answer involved something about not knowing how TMZ got said tape.
That response reeks of a dodge and just overall incompetence.
That’s exactly why Goodell has to go.
The lines are from Vegas and the home teams are in CAPS
TampaBay +6 over ATLANTA
OK, I really should have seen this one coming. The Bucs are in pretty dire straights and I’m not sure what Lovie Smith can do to turn this team around.
San Diego +2.5 over BUFFALO
The Bills are undefeated and looked good against Miami, but the Chargers are the better team here.
ST. LOUIS (pk) over Dallas
Just when you think the Cowboys have pulled it together, they fall apart against a weaker team.
Washington +6.5 over PHILADELPHIA
I really like Kirk Cousin and think he deserves to start even over a healthy RG3. The Eagles have a problem with falling behind early and Washington might be able to take advantage of it.
Houston -2 over NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants are one of the five worst teams in the league and their offensive line will be in trouble trying to stop J.J. Watt.
NEW ORLEANS -10.5 over Minnesota
Even if this whole Adrian Peterson saga galvanizes this Vikings team like the Ray Rice saga in Baltimore, you can’t discount an angry, winless Saints team in their home-opener
CINCINNATI -7 over Tennessee
The Titans had a lot of trouble stopping the run against Dallas and should see another steady diet of power rushing by the Bengals this week with A.J. Green hobbled.
CLEVELAND +6.5 over Baltimore
The Ravens are a different team on the road and the Browns will play them tough.
DETROIT -2.5 over Green Bay
While many picked the Pack as a Super Bowl contender, I’m really not seeing it through two games. The Lions aren’t a great team, but will definitely give it their all here. And who’s covering Megatron, really?
JACKSONVILLE +7 over Indianapolis
The Jags were embarrassed at Washington last week, but are always ready to put up a fight against their division rivals.
NEW ENGLAND -14 over Oakland
If this line stayed at 16, which I saw earlier this week, then I might’ve actually talked myself into Oakland. But I see the Pats running the ball hard down the Raiders’ throats.
San Francisco -3 over ARIZONA
The Niners fell apart against Chicago and Colin Kaepernick looked very shaky. That said the Cardinals are also falling apart and starting Drew Stanton again.
SEATTLE -4.5 over Denver
The Super Bowl rematch won’t be a shellacking like the game in February, but it should be an easy win at home for the Seahawks.
Kansas City +4 over MIAMI
The Dolphins’ flaws were exposed by Buffalo last week, and with Jamaal Charles looking like he could play, the Chiefs just might be able to exploit them.
CAROLINA -3 over Pittsburgh
The Panthers didn’t slide into regression like many thought they would, while Pittsburgh hasn’t looked great in its two games so far.
Chicago +3 over NEW YORK JETS
The Bears needed a big comeback to beat the Niners on the West Coast, but shouldn’t be getting points against a Jets team that barely beat Oakland.
Last week: 6-10
This season: 12-20