Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I would vote no for both of these candidates. Tagliabue didn't seem to garner too much support in previous years, but some voters may look at him more favorably by comparing his reign to Goodell's. However, people criticized Goodell for only suspending Ray Rice for 2 games. But the fact that a player could be suspended at all for off field conduct was something that Goodell started. You only have to read up on Tim Barnett in the 1993 playoffs to get a comparison. (Long story short: Barnett was in jail after his second domestic violence arrest in 2 years and it was only thanks to a judge -who refused to set bail- going home sick that Barnett was able to play in a playoff game and catch the tying touchdown from Joe Montana.)

Tagliabue fought like hell to avoid any fault on the NFL's part about concussions, etc.

I don't have a problem with Tagliabue, who, IMO, kept the good ship NFL sailing relatively smoothly for a decade and a half, but the selection of Jerry Jones is yet another sign of the apocalypse.

I guess they could have done worse, but there were definitely better choices available. Jones strikes me as no worse than other owner choices possible, but that doesn't make any of them "musts." Sabol, McNally, Brandt, Beathard, and Young would have been much better options.

JohnH19 wrote:I don't have a problem with Tagliabue, who, IMO, kept the good ship NFL sailing relatively smoothly for a decade and a half, but the selection of Jerry Jones is yet another sign of the apocalypse.

A commissioner who keeps the ship sailing relatively smoothly is like a QB who manages the game well. Nice, but not HOF material.

Roger Goodell has no chance then.

STEVE SABOL.

Put him in already.