Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Hearing that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was in Dallas for a public speaking engagement, and that free Tex-Mex was being served, I headed over to the Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum on Wednesday. A school official had tipped off Hashmarks that Goodell would speak to reporters before the luncheon, but this proved to be a false tip.
As reporters were ushered toward a makeshift holding area offering limited ventilation, NFL greats such as Drew Pearson, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, Troy Aikman, Pat Summerall, Tony Dorsett and Gil Brandt led Goodell toward a giant ballroom.
As a group of reporters followed at a comfortable distance, a beat writer from The Dallas Morning News finally stepped forward and called the commissioner's name. When Goodell didn't respond, I was forced into action. As I accelerated to the left, one of the two security guards (henchmen) blocked my path. When I used a swim technique to get around the right side, one of Goodell's heavies grabbed my arm and jerked me backward.
I reacted in a completely "professional" manner, simply suggesting that the gentleman keep his hands to himself. By this time, we were entering the back of the ballroom. A woman in a fabulous pants suit cut us off at the pass, saying, "I'm just trying to protect the commissioner."
Job well done, ma'am.
At the head table, professional emcee Scott Murray read a list of 67 sponsors and 17 dignitaries. For no apparent reason, he introduced Brandt, the Cowboys' former director of personnel, three times.
In one of the longest introductions in banquet circuit history, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Chiefs owner Clark Hunt both talked about Goodell. When the commissioner finally stood to speak, he was joined by NFL Network anchor Rich Eisen, who served as the moderator. I enjoy Eisen's work (especially if I could see it), but the interview was a bit too scripted for my taste. I leaned over to Ed Werder and whispered questions that I would've asked Goodell. Werder was busy discussing Darren McFadden's measurables with two strangers in exchange for free guacamole.
Goodell touched on topics of local (Pacman Jones) and national (Spygate) interest, but it wasn't like Eisen was grilling him. I'm pretty sure he asked the commissioner whether he would "look into Pacman's soul" when the two meet this summer.
"It's always good to look into people's eyes in seeing how they say something, and whether they're genuine in what they're saying," said Goodell. "A lot of this can be scripted. A lot of this could be told as this is what the commissioner wants to hear. I will ask questions and will look for response and to see if he's genuine, and see if he's taken responsibility for his actions."
Goodell is rooting for Pacman to turn his life around, but he's obviously in no hurry to reinstate the Titans cornerback. He said he was encouraged by comments he heard Jones make on Michael Irvin's radio show, but he wants to see positive behavior over an extended amount of time.
"You have to remember that a lot of these players are in their early 20s, from very diverse backgrounds, some didn't have the choices I had growing up," said Goodell. "I was very fortunate. We have to understand that players are going to make mistakes. But if you make a mistake, you need to recover from your mistake and you need to develop the resources and make better decisions going forward."
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones described the Pacman negotiations as "kind of dormant."
"I don't want to say that it's dead, but I used the term 'it has no energy," he said. "I always feel the longer something drags on, you diminish the chances of it happening. You get a lot of visibility about it with no movement. You are just down the road. ... But I don't totally dismiss it at this time."
Everyone knows that Jerry doesn't mind the "visibility" aspect of the discussions. It's the longest running offseason storyline since the Trent Green standoff of '07. But since there's no end in sight, let's move onto Spygate.
Goodell basically said that nothing had changed since the league "punished" the Patriots in September. He even noted that coach Bill Belichick had sent him a personal check for the $500,000 fine -- as opposed to money order. The commissioner said that he's still hoping to visit with the elusive Matt Walsh, who has hinted that he has damaging information from his former days as a team video assistant.
"I have never met Matt but I'm hoping to meet him some time in the near future. He's indicated he has evidence and new information that would lead to further disciplinary action. I'm anxious to meet with him. I hope that'll happen some time in the next couple weeks."
Perhaps the league could invite Walsh to the draft next week. If he really has something to share, Radio City Music Hall would provide a great backdrop. On Wednesday, Goodell took a playful jab at Sen. Arlen Specter for taking such a strong interest in SpyGate.
"I didn't think that was something the senate was focused on, but I understand a U.S. senator has an interest in this. And I'd be more than happy to share my perspective with him."
Goodell was also asked about an impending NFL labor dispute. It's believed that the owners will opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement by November, which could lead to an uncapped season in 2010.
"Whether they do or they don't, I don't think is that significant. I think the issue here is, it's important for us to have a good relationship between the players and the owners. It has to work for both sides. The players have to get their share from an economic standpoint, and the owners have to be able to operate a successful business."
Goodell complimented Jones on the Cowboys' new stadium, which will open in 2009, but we'll save that for another time. Memo to SMU: Love the forums, but some of us aren't allowed to take three-hour lunches. And where the heck was June Jones? This would've been a great opportunity to showcase him.
Otherwise, it was a great luncheon. Well, except for the henchmen. When last seen, they were staring down a couple of local bankers for making eye contact with Goodell in the hotel parking lot.
