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| ROCK COUNTY NOW DAILY NEWS: Sports |
Magic Switch: Orlando bounces Boston from 2nd
ORLANDO, Fla. – Dwight Howard blocked a potential go-ahead layup by Paul
Pierce with 3.8 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic clinched their second straight
Southeast Division title with an 84-82 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday
night.
Howard had 24 points and 21 rebounds as the Magic (53-18) bumped Boston (54-
19) by percentage points for second in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland.
Orlando remains five games back of Cleveland for the conference lead with 11
games left. The Magic took the division title with Atlanta's loss to San Antonio.
Pierce hit a jumper to cut Orlando's lead to 83-82 with 1:27 left, but the Celtics
couldn't make up the difference without Kevin Garnett, who was limited to 16
minutes as Boston continues to work him back in the lineup from a right knee strain.
Pierce with 3.8 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic clinched their second straight
Southeast Division title with an 84-82 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday
night.
Howard had 24 points and 21 rebounds as the Magic (53-18) bumped Boston (54-
19) by percentage points for second in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland.
Orlando remains five games back of Cleveland for the conference lead with 11
games left. The Magic took the division title with Atlanta's loss to San Antonio.
Pierce hit a jumper to cut Orlando's lead to 83-82 with 1:27 left, but the Celtics
couldn't make up the difference without Kevin Garnett, who was limited to 16
minutes as Boston continues to work him back in the lineup from a right knee strain.
Cavaliers set team record with 58th win
CLEVELAND – LeBron James and these Cleveland Cavaliers have risen
to the top.
James scored 22 points with 11 assists and made all the right moves in
the closing minutes as the too-tough-at-home Cavaliers set a franchise
record with their 58th win — and 10th straight — by beating the New
Jersey Nets 98-87 on Tuesday night. With 11 games left in the regular
season, the Cavs already have surpassed the club mark of 57 wins shared
to the top.
James scored 22 points with 11 assists and made all the right moves in
the closing minutes as the too-tough-at-home Cavaliers set a franchise
record with their 58th win — and 10th straight — by beating the New
Jersey Nets 98-87 on Tuesday night. With 11 games left in the regular
season, the Cavs already have surpassed the club mark of 57 wins shared
by the 1988-89 and 1991-92 teams, when Brad Daugherty, Mark Price and Co. could beat anyone in the
Eastern Conference except Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
Cleveland, which trailed 82-81 with less than 4 minutes left, also improved to an NBA-best 33-1 at home.
Vince Carter scored 20 and Jarvis Hayes 18 for the Nets, who are running out of time to make the
playoffs.
New Jersey trailed all night before Keyon Dooling's 3-pointer with 3:54 left gave the Nets an 82-81 lead,
their first since 3-0.
James took things from there.
He sent a pass into the left corner for Delonte West, whose 3-pointer made it 84-82. After a New Jersey
turnover, the Nets lost forward Anderson Varejao on the baseline and James found him alone for a layup
to put the Cavaliers ahead by four.
Dooling missed a jumper and James was fouled on a drive. With Cleveland fans chanting "M-V-P" the
megastar dropped both free throws. Rookie Brook Lopez scored on a tip-in for New Jersey, but James
then whipped a pass to Mo Williams, whose 3-pointer made it 93-84, a basket that allowed the Cavs to
finally relax.
James was involved in every point during the crucial 12-2 run, scoring four points with three assists.
In the first quarter, James moved into the Big O's neighborhood.
With his first basket, James joined Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to
post 2,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in a season at least four times. Robertson, who once
averaged a triple-double for a season, did it six times.
Larry Bird reached the 2,000-500-500 plateau three times in his career, and John Havlicek and Michael
Jordan each did it twice.
It was Cleveland's second win in four nights over New Jersey, which came in four games behind Chicago
for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets were again without guard Devin Harris, their leading scorer, who missed his fifth straight game
with a shoulder injury.
Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Williams scored 16 apiece and West had 13 points with nine rebounds
for the Cavs, who again showed they are much more than James.
Dooling had 11 points and 10 assists for the Nets.
Eastern Conference except Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
Cleveland, which trailed 82-81 with less than 4 minutes left, also improved to an NBA-best 33-1 at home.
Vince Carter scored 20 and Jarvis Hayes 18 for the Nets, who are running out of time to make the
playoffs.
New Jersey trailed all night before Keyon Dooling's 3-pointer with 3:54 left gave the Nets an 82-81 lead,
their first since 3-0.
James took things from there.
He sent a pass into the left corner for Delonte West, whose 3-pointer made it 84-82. After a New Jersey
turnover, the Nets lost forward Anderson Varejao on the baseline and James found him alone for a layup
to put the Cavaliers ahead by four.
Dooling missed a jumper and James was fouled on a drive. With Cleveland fans chanting "M-V-P" the
megastar dropped both free throws. Rookie Brook Lopez scored on a tip-in for New Jersey, but James
then whipped a pass to Mo Williams, whose 3-pointer made it 93-84, a basket that allowed the Cavs to
finally relax.
James was involved in every point during the crucial 12-2 run, scoring four points with three assists.
In the first quarter, James moved into the Big O's neighborhood.
With his first basket, James joined Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to
post 2,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists in a season at least four times. Robertson, who once
averaged a triple-double for a season, did it six times.
Larry Bird reached the 2,000-500-500 plateau three times in his career, and John Havlicek and Michael
Jordan each did it twice.
It was Cleveland's second win in four nights over New Jersey, which came in four games behind Chicago
for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets were again without guard Devin Harris, their leading scorer, who missed his fifth straight game
with a shoulder injury.
Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Williams scored 16 apiece and West had 13 points with nine rebounds
for the Cavs, who again showed they are much more than James.
Dooling had 11 points and 10 assists for the Nets.
Pierce then missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have won it for Boston.
Rashard Lewis had 21 points, and Hedo Turkoglu added 13 points for the Magic, who nearly blew a
16-point lead before holding on for their fourth straight win and 11th in their past 13 games. The Magic
were held to just 14 points in the final period.
Pierce had 26 points, and Ray Allen added 16 points for the Celtics, who snapped their four-game
winning streak.
Fueled by their big man, Orlando finally started to shed that image of a team that can't win the big game.
Howard followed up a rim-rocking, two-hand dunk with a 3-point play that put the Magic up 66-50 with
3:54 left in the third quarter. Garnett was called for the foul on the play and left the game for good, but not
before huddling his teammates to give them a few choice words.
They would respond.
Pierce had six points during a furious 12-2 Celtics run that trimmed Orlando's lead to six. Reaching to
give his team some life, Howard dunked over Glen Davis on an alley-hoop from Turkoglu that ignited the
Magic bench despite ending the third quarter with only a 70-62 lead.
With home-court advantage at stake for a potential second-round playoff series, the Celtics made health
the priority.
Boston coach Doc Rivers again resisted the urge to play Garnett for a full game, limiting him to
eight-minute spurts in the first and third quarters. Garnett finished with four points and eight rebounds in
his fourth game back from injury, and Rivers has said he will continue to ease the All-Star forward back in
the lineup.
Howard had a double-double by the first quarter.
Orlando's do-it-all center had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the period, powering the Magic to a 25-19
lead after a quarter in which he had three dunks, soaring at times above the backboard. Howard started
6-for-9 shooting and took advantage of Garnett's limited minutes to penetrate the paint at will. It was the
fourth time this season Howard had a double-double in the first 12 minutes.
He had help.
The Magic's free-shooting perimeter players went to work in the second quarter, with Lewis and Turkoglu
hitting a 3-pointer to help Orlando go ahead by 12 points midway through the period. Lewis finished with
12 points in the quarter on 4-of-6 shooting.
Boston didn't do much early to counter.
The Celtics shot just 36.8 percent from the floor in the first half, settling for tough shots without the help of
Garnett's inside presence. Boston was able to keep it close with some late free throws to cut Orlando's
lead to 47-39 at the half.
Rashard Lewis had 21 points, and Hedo Turkoglu added 13 points for the Magic, who nearly blew a
16-point lead before holding on for their fourth straight win and 11th in their past 13 games. The Magic
were held to just 14 points in the final period.
Pierce had 26 points, and Ray Allen added 16 points for the Celtics, who snapped their four-game
winning streak.
Fueled by their big man, Orlando finally started to shed that image of a team that can't win the big game.
Howard followed up a rim-rocking, two-hand dunk with a 3-point play that put the Magic up 66-50 with
3:54 left in the third quarter. Garnett was called for the foul on the play and left the game for good, but not
before huddling his teammates to give them a few choice words.
They would respond.
Pierce had six points during a furious 12-2 Celtics run that trimmed Orlando's lead to six. Reaching to
give his team some life, Howard dunked over Glen Davis on an alley-hoop from Turkoglu that ignited the
Magic bench despite ending the third quarter with only a 70-62 lead.
With home-court advantage at stake for a potential second-round playoff series, the Celtics made health
the priority.
Boston coach Doc Rivers again resisted the urge to play Garnett for a full game, limiting him to
eight-minute spurts in the first and third quarters. Garnett finished with four points and eight rebounds in
his fourth game back from injury, and Rivers has said he will continue to ease the All-Star forward back in
the lineup.
Howard had a double-double by the first quarter.
Orlando's do-it-all center had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the period, powering the Magic to a 25-19
lead after a quarter in which he had three dunks, soaring at times above the backboard. Howard started
6-for-9 shooting and took advantage of Garnett's limited minutes to penetrate the paint at will. It was the
fourth time this season Howard had a double-double in the first 12 minutes.
He had help.
The Magic's free-shooting perimeter players went to work in the second quarter, with Lewis and Turkoglu
hitting a 3-pointer to help Orlando go ahead by 12 points midway through the period. Lewis finished with
12 points in the quarter on 4-of-6 shooting.
Boston didn't do much early to counter.
The Celtics shot just 36.8 percent from the floor in the first half, settling for tough shots without the help of
Garnett's inside presence. Boston was able to keep it close with some late free throws to cut Orlando's
lead to 47-39 at the half.
Feds: Michael Vick illegally spent pension funds
RICHMOND, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor filed complaints Wednesday
accusing suspended NFL star Michael Vick of illegally spending about $1.3
million in pension plan funds for his own benefit, including paying restitution
ordered in his dogfighting conspiracy case.
The department filed the complaints in federal district and bankruptcy courts the
same day Vick left a federal lockup in Kansas, apparently bound for Virginia to
appear at a bankruptcy hearing next week. Vick was at the Federal Transfer
Center in Oklahoma City late Wednesday afternoon.
Mark Lichtenstein, one of Vick's bankruptcy attorneys, declined to comment on
both the Labor Department allegations and the details of Vick's apparent
temporary move to Virginia for the April 2 hearing.
accusing suspended NFL star Michael Vick of illegally spending about $1.3
million in pension plan funds for his own benefit, including paying restitution
ordered in his dogfighting conspiracy case.
The department filed the complaints in federal district and bankruptcy courts the
same day Vick left a federal lockup in Kansas, apparently bound for Virginia to
appear at a bankruptcy hearing next week. Vick was at the Federal Transfer
Center in Oklahoma City late Wednesday afternoon.
Mark Lichtenstein, one of Vick's bankruptcy attorneys, declined to comment on
both the Labor Department allegations and the details of Vick's apparent
temporary move to Virginia for the April 2 hearing.
The Labor Department said Vick made a series of prohibited transfers from a pension plan sponsored by
MV7, a celebrity marketing company owned by the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback. The department
alleges that Vick violated his duties as trustee of a pension plan that covered nine current or former MV7
employees.
"This action sends a message that the Labor Department will not tolerate the misuse of plan money and
will take whatever steps necessary to recover the assets owed to eligible workers," Secretary of Labor
Hilda L. Solis said in a prepared statement.
The department also accused two of Vick's former financial advisers, Mary R. Wong and David A. Talbot,
of participating in some of the transfers.
The filing further complicates Vick's bankruptcy case, which has gradually moved along in Newport News
while Vick serves a 23-month prison term in the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. The judge
presiding over the bankruptcy case has ordered Vick to testify in person at next week's hearing on
confirmation of his Chapter 11 plan.
U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Felicia Ponce said Wednesday that Vick was at the Oklahoma
transfer facility but added that she could not disclose the inmate's ultimate destination until it he arrives.
There was no indication of when Vick left Leavenworth or when he would arrive in Virginia.
Vick will likely be kept in a southeastern Virginia jail until the hearing, but it wasn't known which one.
Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan said he had not been notified that Vick would be staying in the city
jail, but it was possible Vick and federal marshals could show up unannounced.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro earlier this month rejected the idea of allowing testimony by video
hookup, saying he needed Vick in the courtroom so he could assess his demeanor and credibility.
Vick's plan for paying his creditors is based largely on his intention to resume his NFL career. Vick was
suspended indefinitely after his 2007 indictment, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will
review Vick's status after he is released.
The Falcons still hold the contract rights to Vick but have said they will try to trade him. Vick's bankruptcy
plan would allow him to keep the first $750,000 of his annual pay. After that, a percentage would go to his
creditors based on a sliding scale.
Vick is eligible to move into home confinement no earlier than May 21 and is scheduled to be released
from custody July 20.
MV7, a celebrity marketing company owned by the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback. The department
alleges that Vick violated his duties as trustee of a pension plan that covered nine current or former MV7
employees.
"This action sends a message that the Labor Department will not tolerate the misuse of plan money and
will take whatever steps necessary to recover the assets owed to eligible workers," Secretary of Labor
Hilda L. Solis said in a prepared statement.
The department also accused two of Vick's former financial advisers, Mary R. Wong and David A. Talbot,
of participating in some of the transfers.
The filing further complicates Vick's bankruptcy case, which has gradually moved along in Newport News
while Vick serves a 23-month prison term in the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. The judge
presiding over the bankruptcy case has ordered Vick to testify in person at next week's hearing on
confirmation of his Chapter 11 plan.
U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Felicia Ponce said Wednesday that Vick was at the Oklahoma
transfer facility but added that she could not disclose the inmate's ultimate destination until it he arrives.
There was no indication of when Vick left Leavenworth or when he would arrive in Virginia.
Vick will likely be kept in a southeastern Virginia jail until the hearing, but it wasn't known which one.
Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan said he had not been notified that Vick would be staying in the city
jail, but it was possible Vick and federal marshals could show up unannounced.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro earlier this month rejected the idea of allowing testimony by video
hookup, saying he needed Vick in the courtroom so he could assess his demeanor and credibility.
Vick's plan for paying his creditors is based largely on his intention to resume his NFL career. Vick was
suspended indefinitely after his 2007 indictment, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he will
review Vick's status after he is released.
The Falcons still hold the contract rights to Vick but have said they will try to trade him. Vick's bankruptcy
plan would allow him to keep the first $750,000 of his annual pay. After that, a percentage would go to his
creditors based on a sliding scale.
Vick is eligible to move into home confinement no earlier than May 21 and is scheduled to be released
from custody July 20.
Police: Stallworth says warned man before impact
MIAMI – Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth said he flashed his
car's headlights to warn a pedestrian before fatally striking the man in Miami
Beach last month, according to a report released by police.
The report released Tuesday also said the pedestrian, 59-year-old Mario Reyes,
wasn't in a crosswalk when Stallworth's Bentley hit him.
According to the report, Stallworth told officers he flashed his lights to try to warn
Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after
getting off work around 7:15 a.m. March 14.
Police said Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone. They are
investigating whether alcohol played a role in the accident.
car's headlights to warn a pedestrian before fatally striking the man in Miami
Beach last month, according to a report released by police.
The report released Tuesday also said the pedestrian, 59-year-old Mario Reyes,
wasn't in a crosswalk when Stallworth's Bentley hit him.
According to the report, Stallworth told officers he flashed his lights to try to warn
Reyes, a construction crane operator who was rushing to catch a bus after
getting off work around 7:15 a.m. March 14.
Police said Stallworth was driving about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone. They are
investigating whether alcohol played a role in the accident.
No charges have been filed against Stallworth pending the outcome of blood tests.
A police diagram shows that Reyes was hit in the far left lane of the six-lane MacArthur Causeway — not
in a nearby crosswalk. Stallworth stopped a few feet away.
Police also released calls from three people who dialed 911 that morning.
The first, a woman, said, "There's a man laying in the middle of the road." The dispatcher asked for her
location and a description of the victim.
Then the woman blurted: "He's dead. He's dead ... He was just laying in the middle of the road. I think he's
dead."
When the dispatcher asked what happened, the woman said, "I don't know, I don't know, he's just lying in
the middle of the road."
None of the callers apparently witnessed the accident. One man, saying he was on his way to work, said
he "heard a hit" and then saw Reyes lying in the roadway. A few moments later, a police officer arrived.
Stallworth's attorney declined comment Tuesday but has said his client is cooperating with police.
Stallworth last week released a statement saying he was "grief stricken" over the accident.
Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured
most of the year. He was scheduled to receive a $4.75 million signing bonus the day before the accident.
Before that, he played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans in the NFL and in college for
Tennessee.
A police diagram shows that Reyes was hit in the far left lane of the six-lane MacArthur Causeway — not
in a nearby crosswalk. Stallworth stopped a few feet away.
Police also released calls from three people who dialed 911 that morning.
The first, a woman, said, "There's a man laying in the middle of the road." The dispatcher asked for her
location and a description of the victim.
Then the woman blurted: "He's dead. He's dead ... He was just laying in the middle of the road. I think he's
dead."
When the dispatcher asked what happened, the woman said, "I don't know, I don't know, he's just lying in
the middle of the road."
None of the callers apparently witnessed the accident. One man, saying he was on his way to work, said
he "heard a hit" and then saw Reyes lying in the roadway. A few moments later, a police officer arrived.
Stallworth's attorney declined comment Tuesday but has said his client is cooperating with police.
Stallworth last week released a statement saying he was "grief stricken" over the accident.
Stallworth signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Browns before last season but was injured
most of the year. He was scheduled to receive a $4.75 million signing bonus the day before the accident.
Before that, he played for New England, Philadelphia and New Orleans in the NFL and in college for
Tennessee.
18? NFL commissioner wants longer regular season
DANA POINT, Calif. – Roger Goodell is ready to trade one or two
meaningless August games for an equal number of games that count.
In favor of expanding the regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games, the
NFL commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May
after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings.
"It's possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core
discussions on this," Goodell said Wednesday. "Anytime you have
change, there is some reluctance. But it's clear we don't need four
preseason games anymore."
There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular
season, including reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with
the players' union.
meaningless August games for an equal number of games that count.
In favor of expanding the regular season from 16 to 17 or 18 games, the
NFL commissioner hopes to present a proposal to the owners in May
after the matter was discussed at length this week at the owners meetings.
"It's possible that we could vote in May, but we want to have core
discussions on this," Goodell said Wednesday. "Anytime you have
change, there is some reluctance. But it's clear we don't need four
preseason games anymore."
There are several hurdles before the league can expand its regular
season, including reaching a new collective bargaining agreement with
the players' union.
Goodell said the league has not seriously discussed the subject with its broadcast partners. He couldn't
imagine them not being interested in more meaningful games.
"I think the quality of NFL programming, that every one of our network partners would say, if they have
the chance to have more regular-season programming, they'd be interested in it," Goodell said. "A key
point is the fans also recognize players they want to see are not in those preseason games; that's why
they are not attractive. They want to see those players play."
As for those players and their union, Goodell recognizes an expanded schedule will be part of CBA
negotiations. Owners opted out of the current deal last year, and it expires after the 2010 schedule,
which would be an uncapped season.
"Under the current agreement, additional regular-season games would not be covered," Goodell said.
"I think our most important priority after we get done with our internal analysis is talking to our key
partners, and that includes the players. I think we want to make sure that the right dialogue takes place
before we make any final votes."
DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA's incoming executive director, wants any decision that affects the players
to happen collaboratively.
"His hope is that the concerns and interests of the players will be seriously considered," said George
Atallah, a director at the public relations firm Qorvis Communications and a spokesman for Smith
during his transition. "He was elected by the players to be their advocate on such issues and is more
than ready to serve them."
Among the issues team owners must discuss is when the regular season would begin; how many bye
weeks would be scheduled; how deep into February the playoffs and Super Bowl would go; and when
the offseason programs — including the combine and the draft — would be held.
And, to make up for the snaps that young players get in exhibition games that otherwise don't mean
anything, Goodell would like to bring back a developmental league. Although he didn't have specifics,
he said an offseason development league would focus on just that — developing players, rather than
promoting the game internationally and trying being a financial success, which NFL Europe attempted.
With 17 extra regular-season games, officials would need to decide where they'll be played.
Goodell and Mark Waller, the NFL's senior vice president of sales and marketing, first suggested
several years ago holding 17 neutral-site games, including some abroad. That would enable the league
to step up its efforts internationally, a particular goal of Goodell's.
"There's been some discussion about that," Goodell said. "That's been one of the appealing features of
converting preseason games into regular-season games is it gives you more inventory, more games
that you can take to neutral sites, either internationally or domestically. So that is a compelling feature."
Another option would be having one conference play nine home games during a season, and the other
conference do so the next year.
An 18-game schedule, obviously, would eliminate such concerns. It also would mean dropping two
preseason contests.
"Fans don't believe preseason games are up to our standards," Goodell said.
Clearly, neither does he.
Goodell also opposes expanding the playoffs from 12 teams to 14.
"Some clubs believe we should expand the playoffs," Goodell said. "I don't think it's required as part of
the restructuring of the season to expand the playoffs. The opposing view is, let's not water down
something that's tremendous. We still have 32 teams. We should keep it to 12 teams and it should be
special to be able make that. It makes the regular season special, that you have to qualify to get into
that postseason."
imagine them not being interested in more meaningful games.
"I think the quality of NFL programming, that every one of our network partners would say, if they have
the chance to have more regular-season programming, they'd be interested in it," Goodell said. "A key
point is the fans also recognize players they want to see are not in those preseason games; that's why
they are not attractive. They want to see those players play."
As for those players and their union, Goodell recognizes an expanded schedule will be part of CBA
negotiations. Owners opted out of the current deal last year, and it expires after the 2010 schedule,
which would be an uncapped season.
"Under the current agreement, additional regular-season games would not be covered," Goodell said.
"I think our most important priority after we get done with our internal analysis is talking to our key
partners, and that includes the players. I think we want to make sure that the right dialogue takes place
before we make any final votes."
DeMaurice Smith, the NFLPA's incoming executive director, wants any decision that affects the players
to happen collaboratively.
"His hope is that the concerns and interests of the players will be seriously considered," said George
Atallah, a director at the public relations firm Qorvis Communications and a spokesman for Smith
during his transition. "He was elected by the players to be their advocate on such issues and is more
than ready to serve them."
Among the issues team owners must discuss is when the regular season would begin; how many bye
weeks would be scheduled; how deep into February the playoffs and Super Bowl would go; and when
the offseason programs — including the combine and the draft — would be held.
And, to make up for the snaps that young players get in exhibition games that otherwise don't mean
anything, Goodell would like to bring back a developmental league. Although he didn't have specifics,
he said an offseason development league would focus on just that — developing players, rather than
promoting the game internationally and trying being a financial success, which NFL Europe attempted.
With 17 extra regular-season games, officials would need to decide where they'll be played.
Goodell and Mark Waller, the NFL's senior vice president of sales and marketing, first suggested
several years ago holding 17 neutral-site games, including some abroad. That would enable the league
to step up its efforts internationally, a particular goal of Goodell's.
"There's been some discussion about that," Goodell said. "That's been one of the appealing features of
converting preseason games into regular-season games is it gives you more inventory, more games
that you can take to neutral sites, either internationally or domestically. So that is a compelling feature."
Another option would be having one conference play nine home games during a season, and the other
conference do so the next year.
An 18-game schedule, obviously, would eliminate such concerns. It also would mean dropping two
preseason contests.
"Fans don't believe preseason games are up to our standards," Goodell said.
Clearly, neither does he.
Goodell also opposes expanding the playoffs from 12 teams to 14.
"Some clubs believe we should expand the playoffs," Goodell said. "I don't think it's required as part of
the restructuring of the season to expand the playoffs. The opposing view is, let's not water down
something that's tremendous. We still have 32 teams. We should keep it to 12 teams and it should be
special to be able make that. It makes the regular season special, that you have to qualify to get into
that postseason."
News Posted 3-27-09