Commissioner meets with three Vikings this week over rules violations

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
Originally posted 11/19/2008

By week’s end, the fates of Vikings stars Jared Allen and Pat and Kevin Williams will likely be known. All three players will meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on separate issues related to violations of NFL rules.

 Pat and Kevin have been accused of failing a drug test. Both players took diuretics that were on the NFL’s banned substance list. They will make their case before the commissioner this week; both players could be suspended for up to four games. 

 Allen was fined $50,000 two weeks ago for a hit on a quarterback that was believed to be flagrant. In November 9’s 28-27 win over Green Bay, Allen was flagged for a late hit on Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers.

 Allen also could be suspended or fined. With six games left and the Vikings tied with Chicago and Green Bay with 5-5 records in the NFC North, it would be difficult to overcome the loss of three All-Pro players.

 Fitz Notes & Quotes

 Only three active quarterbacks in NFL history have thrown for 10,000 yards or more for two different teams: Brad Johnson with Minnesota and Tampa Bay, Kurt Warner with St. Louis and Arizona, and Drew Brees with San Diego and New Orleans. The world’s number-one golfer, Tiger Woods, was on the Buccaneers sidelines Sunday in hot Tampa, Florida, pulling for the Buccaneers, who rallied to beat the Vikings 19-13.

 This week, the Vikings travel back to Florida to play Jacksonville. That means former Vikings Jack Del Rio and Mike Tice will be on the sidelines for the Jaguars.

 NFL Commissioner Goodell has been levying huge fines on NFL players, ranging from $50,000 to $20,000 a week for infractions on the field related to helmet-to-helmet hits or uniform code violations.

 It’s clear that Goodell is laying the groundwork for a huge fight with the NFLPA and the NFL owners in the next collective bargaining session.  

Goodell recently rescinded

 two fines, one of $20,000 on Randy Moss for comments on game officials, and one on Justen Tuck for a hit on a quarterback.

 Political football! NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would probably like to rescind his recent decision during the presidential campaign, as difficult as it was for the 32 NFL head coaches to keep their players focused and united on football despite different locker-room views on the presidential election.

 Goodell made a shortsighted decision in supporting Republican loser John McCain against President-elect Barack Obama. Considering that 79 percent of the NFL’s players are Black and the 32 NFL owners are all White, he should have remained neutral. It sent a message that the NFL supports one party over another.

 San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker had, in my view, the best game by a point guard that I’ve ever seen in 30 years of covering the NBA. Parker scored 55 points, had 10 assists, and grabbed seven rebounds in a 129-125 double-overtime win against the Timberwolves on November 5 at Target Center.

 “I’ve never scored 50 before,” said Parker. “I’ve scored 40 in Europe and in the NBA before, and 45 in high school, but 50 never at any level.” Parker is one of only three guards in NBA history to score 50 points and have 10 assists in an NBA game. The others are Michael Jordan in 1992-93, who scored 57 points with 10 assists, and Oscar Robinson in 1964, who scored 56 points with 12 assists.

Same old Timberwolves?

 It’s early, but they have already lost eight straight. The Timberwolves are 1-8 and play Philadelphia Wednesday and the World Champion Boston Celtics and Kevin Garnett Friday, both games at Target Center.

 Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:25 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com, or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com.