NFL: You're in good hands with Roger

Just listened to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speak to Norm Hitzges of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket. Everytime I hear him talk I become more sure that the NFL is okay and will be okay. They are in good hands. He is the best commissioner of any pro sports league in the U.S. and possibly the universe.

First, from a personality point of few he talks straight. No double speak like David Stern of the NBA or Bud Selig of MLB. Both talk like politicians. The truth lies somewhere deep in their prose. Now make so mistake Goodell is honest but doesn't always proactively volunteer info. An example is when he constantly responds to questions about a possible work stoppage of the NFL in 2 years. He toes the company line stating things will be worked out. But he seems legitimately sincere in NOT wanting a work stoppage the like that has hit MLB and the NBA.

Roger Goodell wants to improve the game of football. Example: moving to an 18 game season. He admits that the preseason games are a joke. Fans are getting nothing for their money. Teams are not playing their best players for fear of injury to their highly paid stars. Example: changing the schedules for the 2010-2011 season so that there are important division games at the end of the season. No more resting starters before the playoffs.

Roger Goodell, also unlike his peers overseeing the other leagues, doesn't mess around with the misbehavior of his players. He correctly sees that players who overstep the bounds off the field with illegal or immoral behavior risk tarnishing the league. From suspensions of Donte Stallworth (manslaughter) and Ben Rothleisberger (sexual assault) he is not afraid to wield the hammer. He has done a good job of getting owner buy in, despite the millions of dollars spent in bonuses that may be lost by suspensions.

Roger Goodell promotes the league and has marketed it well. His latest move is to move the NFL draft to primetime TV like the NBA. Spread out over 3 nights ratings have been off the charts, even outdoing the NBA playoffs. Having the NFL Network on to constantly push the league is also a great move. There is no more "offseason." Fans can tune in for draft talk and replayed games, analysis, and training camp coverage.

The best thing the NFL owners could do is to sign Roger Goodell to a long term contract. Keep giving him authority to make decisions, even though they may not agree with all of them. The players and their union should realize that Goodell has the best interests of the league at heart and understand that threatening a strike over money in a few seasons would be financial suicide.

Now, if only Roger Goodell could be cloned so that the NBA and MLB could be fixed...