When asked if he would announce Roethlisberger’s suspension Monday or Tursday, Goodell did not give a decisive answer, saying, “There may be plenty of reports. I make the decision when I’m prepared to do so”.

Goodell was also asked if there was a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy by Roethlisberger, to which Goodell responded, “Yes, there has been a violation of that. The issue is respect to a pattern of behavior [and] bad judgments”.

Goodell stated that he still needed more time to review all the facts before he could come to a conclusion on Roethlisberger’s punishment. Stay tuned.

The truth remains, though, that the league’s owners and players are still marching towards a potential lockout at the end of the 2010 season.

On Monday, the NFL Players Association won in an arbitration against the collective NFL owners under Special Master Stephen Burbank.

The decision prevented the owners from dismantling the supplemental revenue sharing pool (SRS) in 2010, as planned. The pool, valued at $220 million, all but solidifies that 2010 will be an uncapped year with no limitations on team spending.

The league and the NFLPA are currently in a race to establish their positions in the wake of the disassembling of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that was established in 2006 between the two parties. The agreement states that any changes to the SRS must be approved by the union, something the NFLPA isn’t willing to do.

“We find no explicit distinction between capped and uncapped years or between capped years in The Final League Year”, Burbank wrote. Without a distinction between the two seasons, the league’s hands remain tied.

This is a clear victory for both the players and the NFLPA, but it only serves as a precursor for what is to come, a lockout in the 2011 season.

If the league and its players don’t reach a new CBA by March 5, the end of the 2010 season could spell serious trouble for the NFL.

This black cloud over the league has stemmed from the agreement made in 2006 that caused the salary cap to significantly increase from $80 million in 2005 to $102 million the following year. In 2009, the cap had risen all the way to $128 million.

Due to the incurring economic strain on the league, the owners have slowly watched their profit margins shrink and are now demanding a lower percentage of profit sharing and a limit on salary engagements to young, unproven players.

The league truly flexed their industry muscles when they hired outside source Bob Batterman, a giant in mega-corporate council representation. Batterman belongs to Proskauer Rose, a law firm that oversees all four of the major sports leagues in the US.

Batterman’s focus is on the NFL and the NHL. His involvement with the league comes as an omen for what may come, perhaps a repeat of the NHL’s lockout during the 2004-05 season, a move that Batterman himself oversaw.

As a quick note, a lockout occurs when management (the league) attempts to prevent its players from operating under current conditions, usually unfavorable to the party performing the lockout.

If and when the players decide that those conditions are grievous, they can then opt to go on strike, an act that will certainly plummet the league and its players into a deeper struggle over revenue sharing and salary conditions.

If no agreement is reached before March 5, we can be almost certain that we, the fans, may very well have to do without a 2011 season or, at least, do without the players we love and know so well.

But all of this is pure speculation, nothing more than a look at the possibilities at their gravest. For now, all we can do is enjoy the NFL’s greatest week of football and marvel at two of the league’s best quarterbacks duking it out on the greatest stage in television.

As for the league itself, circle March 5 on your calendar and hope for the best, friends.

For more information on the end of the CBA and it’s effects on the 2010 offseason, click here.

His hiring came after former quarterback coach Hue Jackson left to join the Oakland Raiders as their new offensive coordinator.

Zorn is coming off an embarrassing two-year tenure as the head coach for Washington where he led the ‘Skins to their worst record in fifteen years at 12-20. His team came close to victory time and again, but was never able to overcome the mistakes of an inane owner and a rookie head coach.

Owner Daniel Snyder promoted Zorn from offensive coordinator to head coach before the season ever began; the team’s first mistake.

The organization then expected success from a team built around an aging, overpaid defense, an offensive line whose experience stemmed from Arena football, and a quarterback who has been asked to learn a different offensive scheme nearly every year.

This was Jim Zorn’s bed and he slept in it week after week with a face of humility and a cool sense of propriety.

Before he entered the Redskins’ organization, Zorn was considered a successful quarterback coach. His influence in Seattle during their brighter years was evident behind Matt Hasselbeck’s arm.

Now, Zorn joins a team on the brink of championship-caliber potential. Normally noted for its veteran leadership on defense and a do-everything running back in Ray Rice, Zorn now has the opportunity to coach one of the NFL’s hopeful youths, Joe Flacco.

Flacco has spurred his team to the playoffs twice in his two years as a pro and he’s done it with pure athletic ability and class. As his new coach, Zorn will only further Flacco’s potential and open up the Ravens’ playbook to new standards.

Not the numbers you want to hear when you’re thinking of a rising team’s number two receiver.

Donald Driver has recently said that he’d like to keep playing in the NFL until he’s at least 40. While that’s a fine goal, it’s growing less and less likely that he will be able to retire as a Packer, if he does in fact continue aiming for this goal.

And what a lofty goal it is.

Only 51 players in NFL history have played to (or past) 40 years of age, and only one has been a wide receiver: Jerry Rice.

That’s some interesting company Driver is fancying himself in.

Sure, he helped get the Philadelphia Eagles back to the playoffs, yet again, but yet again, the season ended without a Super Bowl, and inevitably, in disappointment.

While it’s impossible to put all (or even most) of the blame on McNabb, rumors have been swirling all around Philadelphia lately, and for McNabb, they’re not good.

A Philadelphia radio station has reported that young Eagles players have been seeking out advice to back-up Kevin Kolb, and not starter Donovan McNabb. This has apparently been going on for much of the regular season, and led up into the post-season.

But this isn’t the beginning.

Ever since Kolb delivered two remarkable back-to-back performances while subbing in for an injured McNabb, he’s garnered the respect of his teammates as a confident signal caller and a strong leader.

McNabb, on the other hand, has other’s confidence in him wavering.

Again, this is all speculation off of reports from no-named talk-show hosts and aspiring NFL experts, but with everything that has happened, a divorce between McNabb and the Eagles would only make sense.

While Michael Vick has been open about finding a new home (because he knows Philly isn’t a permanent gig), perhaps McNabb should begin his own search.

Actually, it’s sounding more and more like Philly will be glad to do it for him.

McNabb is entering the final year of his contract with Philadelphia, one in which he is due $6.2 million in an offseason roster bonus on May 5th.

Considering how well Kolb has fared and how well he has grasped the offense, it’s fairly likely the Eagles will already start taking offers, and will try to move McNabb before or during this April’s NFL Draft.

And for all you Eagles fans that just can’t believe the hype, take a good, hard look at the plan at hand before you scream “mutiny!” at the top of your lungs:

McNabb is 33, due a ton of money, and simply isn’t getting it done. It’s arguable that anyone with a decent amount of ability and a grasp of Philly’s offense could take a roster full of explosive weapons to the playoffs.

Like, say, Kevin Kolb?

If the Eagles firmly believe he can (and they do), then the next step is unloading their dead weight (McNabb and Vick), by getting what they can to build for an even brighter future.

Vick can probably be had for a 5th rounder, although Philly will likely entertain offers until the bitter end, in hopes they can drag a 4th rounder out of a desperate team (we’re thinking Rams).

McNabb, on the other hand, could be worth a first day selection (or two), or even a pick and a quality player. McNabb is still in his prime and is still playing elite football, for the most part, and there are plenty of teams that are a good quarterback away from making a serious run.

On that same note, there are several teams with young, talented rosters that could use a savvy, veteran quarterback to pull them together and push for a playoff spot.

Wherever McNabb winds up, we’re undoubtedly going to be hearing about this deep into the summer, and probably again next season, unless McNabb signs a long-term contract right away with his next team.

But the point is, if you can get some picks for a guy that simply isn’t in your plans anymore, then why not?

After all, it’s what Green Bay did, and look at where they are now? They hit a rough patch in their first season with Aaron Rodgers as the starter, but were back in the playoffs the following year.

Both Brett Favre and Rodgers are now enjoying their role with their current teams, and a similar future isn’t unrealistic for both Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb.

However, unlike the Packers situation following the 2007 season, McNabb hasn’t even breathed a word of retirement. And unlike the 2007 Packers team, who were on the rise and made it to the NFC Championship game, McNabb’s Eagles aren’t coming off of a season that is necessarily deemed as successful.

Either way you look at it, McNabb’s days as Philly’s golden boy are long gone. And it’s just a matter of time before it’s official.

For more NFL news and articles, go here.

Gaines was rushed to the emergency room in the early hours of morning and, while the cause of death or concern is still unknown, the coroner has divulged that Gaines appeared perfectly healthy before his death was pronounced. An autopsy is scheduled for later today.

It seems 26 is the unlucky number right now in the NFL. This story strikes a chord as it follows the death of Cincinnati’s wide receiver Chris Henry no more than a month ago, also at the tender age of 26.

The league and it’s fans alike were only just healing from Henry’s tragic loss and are now faced with another to overcome.

Gaines, a former Clemson University star, was drafted with the fourth overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2007 draft. He was traded to the Bears in October of last year for a second round pick in April.

He appeared in 15 games with the Bears last season and recorded one sack, two forced fumbles, and three safeties.

During the 2007 draft, in a time when character was on the chopping block, players like Adam “Pacman” Jones and Florida’s Marcus Thomas were only projecting the attitude that had cast such a flawed shadow over the league.

Adams was one of the few players who countered that image and showed that good character was not something of a rare nature in the NFL. Although later he and a few others at the combine admitted to using marijuana, it didn’t stain or reflect in his personality.

He continued to be a positive influence in the locker room and appeared to be headed in the right direction by adding himself to an already budding Bears defense.

After General Manager Tim Ruskell was released from the Seattle organization in December, it was clear the Seahawks were headed for a makeover.

The first major change was the firing of first-year coach Jim Mora. Apparently the front office didn’t feel a 5-11 record warranted a second chance.

In a surprise move, the team landed Pete Carroll, the long-time USC wheel-man, as a successor.

The move wasn’t met with overwhelming approval by fans and media personnel, alike. Carroll’s departure came after allegations of recruiting violations and a mediocre season. Some believe his flight to Seattle was a cop-out from the consequences that awaited USC in the off-season.

There was also speculation that Seattle violated the Rooney Rule, a preventative measure that holds each team responsible for interviewing a minority candidate for the head coach position and any similar front-office position. However, it was later discovered that the team had extended an offer to Tony Dungy to become the new team president, an offer to which Dungy declined

Carroll’s credentials at the professional level were also questionable. He served a one-year stint as the head coach for the New York Jets in ’94 but a fruitless season prevented a return for a second season.

Carroll took a break from the NFL and gave it another go in ’97 where he coached the New England Patriots for three years. He was marginal at best, earning a 48-27 record and a playoff berth.

Carroll always claimed he was dealt an unfair hand by both organizations. Any coach will tell you a year is never long enough to truly make a difference (cue Jim Mora), but in Carroll’s case, that’s all the Jets needed to see.

In New England, Carroll’s influence on personnel changes and overall control of the team was limited, prohibiting him from making the necessary adjustments needed to take the team in the right direction.

Now, Carroll is headed to Seattle for one more chance and this time he will have no excuses. The team is currently without a GM and Carroll will most likely have a direct influence on who the organization chooses to hire and you can bet it will be someone who will allow Carroll to make the final decisions regarding personnel.

The team also stands in a good position to make an impact with the draft. They own the sixth and the fourteenth picks in a class dominated by physical defenders and explosive play-makers on the offensive side.

Owner Paul Allen isn’t afraid to spend money, either, and in an uncapped year without restrictions on the ‘Hawks’ player transactions, the team stands to vastly improve their current squad.

With a new coach comes a new staff, most of them being former assistants of Carroll when he was at USC. The first to follow was Jeremy Bates, the quarterback coach at USC and former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator

Bates was strongly pursued by a number of teams, namely the Chicago Bears, but ultimately felt he had more job security playing under his old coach in Seattle. He was instrumental in bringing in and bringing up former Denver quarterback Jay Cutler, and then later had similar success at USC with Matt Leinart and, more recently, Matt Barkely.

Whoever ends up taking snaps for Seattle next year will have one of the best coordinators calling his plays.

Next to follow was Alex Gibbs, the illustrious offensive line coach who spent a considerable amount of time playing under Mike Shanahan in Denver.

He spent a short time there in the mid-80s but truly blossomed as a coach there from 1995-2003. During that time, Gibbs’ offensive line set a number of franchise records including total yards (6,554 in 2000), most first downs (383 in 2000), most rushing yards (2,468 in 1998), and most rushing touchdowns (32 in1998).

His offensive line also flourished in pass protection. From 1995-2000, the line didn’t allow more than 35 sacks per season. His line was also instrumental in blocking for NFL MVP Terrell Davis, who rushed for over 2,000 yards in ’98.

After two mediocre years in Houston, Gibbs is set to continue his legacy and establish a successful zone-blocking scheme in Seattle.

Ken Norton Jr., the USC linebacker coach, has also opted to follow Carroll to Seattle. Norton is relatively new to coaching in the NFL, but he has experienced great success at the collegiate level, delivering great linebackers like Clay Matthews Jr. and Brian Cushing to the NFL.

There will be more new faces to come in the next few weeks, but for now, the Seattle coaching staff is looking like it has the capabilities to fill the big shoes of ex-coach Mike Holmgren, one of the most popular Seahawks coaches, ever.

I don’t think anyone has dreams of Seattle making the playoffs in the coming year, but I think it’s clear they’re in a position to exhibit tangible progression. If the team can acquire some consistency at the offensive line, Matt Hasselback could easily return to starting quarterback status

One of the controversies last year facing the team was the absence of running back Justin Forsett. He received limited snaps behind ineffective starter Julius Jones.

The arrival of Carroll and Bates and their high-octane offense should give Forsett a chance to shine.

The Seahawks possess a young, quick, and physical defensive squad with miles of potential. If their strengths can be utilized to fit the new system, I believe Seattle has a chance to seriously contend in a weak NFC West within at least two years.

A new General Manager is expected soon and with him will come further changes.

Lately, there have been talks that Seattle may attempt to steal wide receiver Brandon Marshall from an inevitable Denver tender and/or transition tag. They have the draft picks and the money to make such an acquisition but it’s unclear if Denver is willing to let that happen.

The pieces in Seattle seem to be moving in the right direction. It will inevitably rest on Carroll’s shoulders whether or not the team finds success as execution always holds precedence over planning.

The latest addition to the Redskins coaching makeover comes as a surprise, as the former Tulane star has been a part of the Steeler organization for fourteen years. He is one of only two assistants to be a member of the coaching staffs that saw three Super Bowls: XXX, XL, and XLIII.

Pittsburgh has been known for their success at the linebacker position over the years, sending at least one to 39 of the 57 Pro Bowls that have been played.

During Spanos’ tenure, he has coached a number of memorable linebackers. Players such as Greg Lloyd, Levon Kirkland, Kevin Greene, Chad Brown, Jason Gildon, Clark Haggans, Joey Porter, and most recently, James Harrison.

With Jim Haslett in as the Redskins’ new defensive coordinator, the team will more than likely switch to a 3-4 defense, something Spanos is very comfortable with.

What does this mean for Washington fans? Well, a number of things.

First, rookie Brian Orakpo had a standout year with 50 tackles and 11 sacks. A large majority of sack leaders in the past decade have done so in a 3-4 system, so expect Orakpo to continue on his way to becoming a Pro Bowl linebacker.

Also, while London Fletcher is the starting Mike linebacker, it’s safe to assume that H.B. Blades or Chris Wilson will fulfill the second middle position. That is, unless the Redskins acquire a better option in free agency or the draft (Rolando McClain?).

Even though he has spent a year in rehab, you couldn’t ask for a better anchor on a three-man line than Albert Haynesworth. He is big enough to fill the gaps and has a collection of moves to provide a marginal pass rush.

Washington is a team heavy with linemen and light on linebackers, but I expect that Spanos has the ability to turn mediocre players into role-players.

The Redskins also hope to bulk up their run game with the hiring of former Denver running backs coach Bobby Turner. His experience in Shanahan’s run-first, throw-second philosophy will do wonders for a struggling rush attack headed up by an aging Clinton Portis.

Kiffin is coming off a one-year stint in Tennessee where a prosaic season and allegations of recruiting violations forced Kiffin to face the music or abandon ship. Kiffin’s strong personality never really assimilated to the SEC as several coaches found themselves butting heads with the Volunteer head man more than once in 2009.

Kiffin’s switch is not only surprising to Tennessee fans, but also to those close to the USC organization. It was only mildly believed that the organization would extend an offer to Kiffin or that he would actually accept it.

Before the announcement, it was widely reported that the top contenders were Steve Mariucci, formerly the head coach in Detroit and San Francisco, and Chris Peterson of Boise State as well as a few other minor candidates.

Kiffin spent six years as a coach in various capacities at USC, but it was generally understood that controversies that arose there would prevent or at least deter his return. Two unsuccessful years in Oakland propelled Kiffin to Tennessee and now, after another disappointment, he finds himself back in Los Angeles.

The announcement of Kiffin landing in USC comes as more than just a shock; it’s a slap in the face to every Tennessee recruit who planned to play as a Volunteer under Kiffin. There are already new student recruits who have arrived at the school as early as last week after graduating early from high school.

Mike and Mike in the Morning discussed that Kiffin’s scouting assistant sent out emails to all Tennessee recruits imploring them that, if they planned to follow the coach to USC, to not attend classes this week as that would make it easier for them to make the transfer.

Kiffin’s offensive mind will bring a different light to the post-Carroll era at USC. It’s less likely now that the school’s verbal commitments will back out two weeks from signing day, but his brashness may be met with opposition at first now that he is the head man.

USC nation is most apprehensive that newly-anointed quarterback Matt Barkley and Lane Kiffin will eventually build a healthy player-coach relationship.

Kiffin did a decent job with Crompton in Tennessee, but the USC program holds higher regard for a team that has largely dominated the PAC-10 for a decade and expects that trend to continue.

With two assistants from USC following Carroll to Seattle already, it’s refreshing to see a non-USC coach making his way to the Seahawks organization. Although he’s only officially been the head coach for a day or so, this is Carroll’s best decision yet.

Gibbs has a long, illustrious career in the NFL, helping to elevate numerous running attacks and to beef up a number of offensive lines.

His longest stint was an offensive coaching gig in Denver under former head coach Mike Shanahan and Jeremy Bates, the new offensive coordinator in Seattle. He spent three marginally successful years there (1984-1987) before returning to establish one of the league’s most dominant running games (1995-2003).

At Denver, the offensive line set numerous franchise records including most total yards (6,554 in 2000), most first downs (383 in 2000), most rushing yards (2,468 in 1998), and most rushing touchdowns (32 in 1998).

His offensive line also knew how to pass protect. From 1995-2000, Gibbs’ line did not allow more than 35 sacks per season. During that time, center Tom Nalen was chosen for four consecutive Pro Bowls. In 1998, three Broncos’ offensive linemen were nominated to the Pro Bowl; all three had previously attended two consecutive Hawaii berths. They were also commended for blocking for then-NFL MVP Terrell Davis, who rushed for over 2,000 yards.

Gibbs then spent a year coaching in Atlanta before becoming a consultant for the Falcons in 2005 and 2006. In the year he spent coaching, the Falcons led the NFL in rushing for the first time in team history.

They rushed for a team-record 2,672 yards, third highest rushing yards total in the NFL since 1990. During Gibbs’ time in Atlanta, the team also led the NFL in rushing with 8,157 yards.The Falcons were also the only team during that three year span to amass a rushing average that exceeded 5.1.

Gibbs’ zone-blocking scheme has a been a long-respected attack and his influence in Seattle will be strongly felt in the running game. Seattle’s run game has lately been weak, finishing in the bottom half of the league for two consecutive years.

With two early picks in the draft, Seattle will have their options to either beef up their dwindling offensive line or add some size and strength to their running game, or both.

Either way, with Alex Gibbs at the helm of their offensive line, Seattle, in time, should find nothing short of tangible progression.