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The gap between the New Orleans Saints' savagely stated intentions and their on-field actions provides an opening to question the punishment handed down by commissioner Roger Goodell.

Jonathan Vilma's season-long suspension for helping to establish and fund the program carries particular interest in the NFC West.

"Multiple independent sources also confirmed that Vilma offered a specific bounty -- $10,000 in cash -- to any player who knocked Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner out of the 2009 divisional playoff game and later pledged the same amount to anyone who knocked Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre out of the 2009 NFC Championship Game the following week," the NFL announced in meting out the punishment.

Saints defensive end Bobby McCray did knock Warner from the game for a time with a crushing hit following an interception, but Warner himself feels as though the Saints did not cross a line with their actions that day.

Warner's comments to Burns & Gambo on Arizona Sports 620 made clear his feelings:

"I could have been seriously hurt every time I stepped on that football field. There is no question that players went out to hurt me and knock me out of games many times throughout my career, whether or not there was a $10,000 bounty on me. Again, I look at it and say, 'Did somebody hit me harder in that situation because the bounty was there?' I don't know. I don't believe so. I believe that was a situation [on the McCray hit] that was set up perfectly for any defensive player, and any defensive player would have taken it. And it was a clean hit and it was a bigger man hitting a smaller man who wasn't prepared for it. And i got crushed.

"I would be mad if someone took a shot at me that was outside the rules of engagement to try to hurt me. If i got hurt because of that, then I would be extremely angry and to me that would cross way over that line.

"I believe that there have been defensive linemen in the locker room many a times say, 'Hey, the first one to knock Kurt out of the game, I'm buying dinner or I'm doing this after the game or whatever. I believe that stuff has gone on for years and years and years. And it wasn't the intention of taking a cheap shot. It was the intention of giving their team a benefit from knocking out a good player on the other team. No doubt in my mind, that that has gone on for years.

"There have been games where I felt like, 'They're really just trying to take me out of this game. They're going a little above and beyond.' I didn't feel that in that playoff game against the Saints. I felt it was a good, hard, competitive football game where the hits on me were clean."

While Goodell is punishing the Saints specifically, he's attacking the bounty mind-set in general. Punishing Vilma and the Saints so harshly may or may not be fair to them. The NFL culture is the broader target.

Vilma and the Saints aren't being punished this week for the hits they put on Warner. League officials already reviewed those hits after the game as a matter of course. The punishment attacks the intentions and makes it easier for the NFL to counter in court allegations it hasn't taken player safety seriously enough.

Note: The video above features discussion on the punishment for Vilma and other players. Warner did not participate in that discussion.

News that the Pro Bowl is likely going away comes a couple months after commissioner Roger Goodell threatened to discontinue the game.

Television ratings for the annual all-star game have remained relatively strong, but the product does nothing to enhance the NFL's brand, in my view. The drama and strategy that make real games compelling cannot exist in a Pro Bowl context.

The NFL Players Association has promoted continuing the game, calling it an important tradition. I get it, but elite players worried about risking injuries unnecessarily should welcome the news.

"Guys play a full season, they play physical through a full season, and you get rewarded," the New England Patriots' Vince Wilfork said during Super Bowl week. "The last thing you want to do is go out in a game like that and hurt yourself. That is not good for the individual or for the organization."

Wilfork's coach, Bill Belichick, responded humorously when asked about Aaron Rodgers' complaints that the 2012 Pro Bowl had become even more farcical than its predecessors. It was clear Belichick thought poorly of what the game had become.

"I felt like some of the guys on the NFC side embarrassed themselves," Rodgers told ESPN 540 in Milwaukee. "I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn't want to play or when they were in there didn't put any effort into it."

There should be no faking tackle football. It's a game best played with emotion and with something at stake beyond the potential for injury.

LZ Granderson's column makes a strong case for Gregg Williams' return to the NFL and (presumably) the St. Louis Rams for the 2013 season.

Granderson cites examples of players returning to the NFL following illegal or prohibited activity. He says Williams was suspended for actions commonplace enough for the Saints to let a documentary film crew record them.

"In March 2009, Donte' Stallworth got drunk, got in his car and hit a pedestrian, killing him," Granderson wrote. "He was convicted of manslaughter and was suspended by the league … but not for long. He was reinstated after missing a season and signed with the Ravens. He has a lifetime suspension of his Florida driver's license, but in March he signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots."

Williams is reportedly seeking a framework for reinstatement. The league has indicated it could issue conditions if and when allowing Williams back into the game.

"Commissioner Roger Goodell will review Coach Williams’ status at the conclusion of the 2012 season and consider whether to reinstate him, and, if so, on what terms," the NFL said in announcing Williams' suspension. "Commissioner Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Coach Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings."

Williams has, by all accounts, cooperated.

News reports recently said Williams assisted tornado victims in Missouri. Other reports said certain San Francisco 49ers still thought highly of Williams, even though he encouraged New Orleans Saints players to injured various 49ers during the playoffs last season.

Those types of stories can help shape public perceptions. They could score points with Goodell. Williams has also accepted his punishment meekly, declining to pursue an appeal. That should help him, too.

There is no NFL merit badge for reinstatement, however. Giving Williams a clear path back to the NFL would give him an easy way out. I'm more inclined to think the league will make Williams sweat a little.

Sam Bradford is on his third offensive coordinator in three seasons with the St. Louis Rams.

One constant for the young quarterback: running back Steven Jackson.

Jackson addressed Bradford's prospects, among other subjects, during the ESPN interview displayed above. He strongly supported NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for bounty-related punishments, including the one for current Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Jackson's message regarding the Williams audio tape: "We just want to make sure even the little kids in the junior high and Pop Warner don't think this is the way that football should be played."

Jackson also reflected on the hardest hit he ever took, one from Lawyer Milloy during a game against the Buffalo Bills. That hit taught him a lesson about how to protect himself from undue punishment.

Just passing along.

Gregg Williams isn't getting much sympathy these days.

That isn't going to change following the release of an audio tape featuring the former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator imploring his players to injure specific San Francisco 49ers -- with cash from Williams as the reward in at least one instance.

Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides balance to the criticism by challenging the Saints' suggestion that Williams, now defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, acted as a "rogue" coach during his days with New Orleans. Burwell: "How can this tape be the thing that forces Roger Goodell to heap a lifetime ban on Williams? Unless I'm missing something, didn't the tape simply confirm every crime that Goodell already said he already knew Williams had perpetrated? The tape adds no new revelations, only additional confirmation. The only thing the tape does is conveniently provide the Saints coaches and general manager with an excuse to throw Williams under the bus as they attempt to receive some leniency from Goodell in their appeals hearing." Noted: The audio tape provides emphatic confirmation. It amplifies and corroborates in a manner that further damages/cements Williams' reputation. Also, the NFL's bounty announcement referred to other games and other opponents, but not this game against the 49ers. It also demonstrated that the Saints continued the bounty program shortly after learning that the NFL had reopened its investigation.

Ray Ratto of CSNBayArea.com says the NFL never would have punished the Saints to this degree had New Orleans defeated San Francisco and won the Super Bowl. Ratto: "Sean Payton would have skated again, because the league would never tolerate a two-time Super Bowl winner and supergenius being publicly rebuked for something they were trying to keep on the down-low. In short, the 49ers did the league a huge favor. Alex Smith is owed a huge solid, and here’s hoping now that he’s been given the back of the business’ hand in his latest contract that someone sees fit to take care of him. Those two late scores took out New Orleans, freeing Roger Goodell to muster enough owner support to drop a bag of hammers on Tom Benson and his perpetually defiant football staff."

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News thinks Williams is finished as an NFL coach, but he offers this: "I understand the public outrage over this tape, but folks, did you think Williams (or any intense defensive coordinator) regularly tells his players to be nice out there? No, this is an incredibly violent sport. And usually the more violent team, if it stays within the rules, is the one that wins. By the way, the 49ers were the more violent team on the field in the playoff game. THEY WON THE GAME."

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News passes along comments from 49ers safety Donte Whitner describing Williams' pregame directives as "really disgusting."

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers' next draft class faces an uphill fight in some cases.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says James Sanders' signing to a one-year contract gives the Cardinals depth at safety behind starters Adrian Wilson and Kerry Rhodes. Somers: "Sean Considine left for the Ravens, and Hamza Abdullah is not under contract. Rashad Johnson, a restricted free agent, has not yet signed his tender offer of $1.26 million."

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com has this to say about Sanders: "This is a veteran who should serve well in the locker room. A scouting report from someone who covered Sanders acknowledged his age -- he doesn’t run as well as he used to -- but that the veteran is a good person, good with teammates and is intelligent, the kind of player who makes sure everyone is on the same page defensively. In some ways, it sure sounds a lot like Richard Marshall (and like Marshall, Stewart is from Fresno State. He’s actually a one-time college teammate of Marshall’s.)"

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com says the team held its annual workout for locally produced college talent. Farnsworth: "At best, the Seahawks can find a player or two from the group -- as was the case last year with Jesse Hoffman, a defensive back from Eastern Washington University and Shorecrest High School; and Dorson Boyce, a fullback from the University of Washington. Each was invited to training camp and Hoffman was signed to a future contract for this year in January. Last year’s group also included two players who were drafted by other teams –- UW quarterback Jake Locker, the eighth pick overall by the Titans; and Shiloh Keo, a defensive back from the University of Idaho and Woodinville High School who went to the Texans in the fifth round."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune passes along Evan Silva's contention that John Carlson, formerly of the Seahawks, was the most overpaid player in free agency this offseason.

Brock Huard of 710ESPN Seattle dismisses the notion of Kam Chancellor moving to outside linebacker for the Seahawks.

Changing coaching staffs heading into a lockout was supposed to set back the San Francisco 49ers last season.

Instead, the team won nine of its first 10 games, finished 13-3 and came within an overtime defeat of reaching the Super Bowl.

Having a full offseason should help the 49ers prepare even better for 2012, but opponents should also have a better idea what to expect from coach Jim Harbaugh and staff.

We might have seen this taking place as the 2011 season progressed. The 49ers' division opponents fared considerably better in rematches against the 49ers than when facing them for the first time. But with all three rematches played away from Candlestick Park, venue also came into play as a key factor. The New York Giants were the only other team to face San Francisco twice last season, losing the first meeting before winning the second one. Both were close games at Candlestick.

This will be a storyline to monitor for the upcoming season.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com expects general improvement from the 49ers on offense, except at running back, where he expects a "slight dip, based on another year of wear and tear on Frank Gore, who turns 29 in May and has been the team's every-down back for six seasons."

Also from Maiocco: setting expectations for the 49ers on defense. Maiocco on the cornerback situation: "Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown are back as the starters, with Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock as the backups. It's difficult to believe that Rogers, as an eighth-year player, can be much better than he was a year ago. But Brown, Culliver and Brock should improve with a full offseason of work."

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the 49ers have 20 starters under contract beyond the 2012 season. Branch: "NaVorro Bowman will be a free agent after the 2013 season. I’m guessing the 49ers, as they did with Patrick Willis and Vernon Davis, will attempt to work out a long-term deal with Bowman before he hits free agency. Bowman will earn base salaries of $540,000 and $570,000 in 2012 and 2013, respectively."

Nick Eaton of seattlepi.com says Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has a role in an upcoming movie featuring Lee Majors, Gary Busey, Margot Kidder and Edward Furlong. Eaton: "Lynch will be playing 'mob security guard' -- officially credited as a 'goon' -- in a film called 'Matt’s Chance' from local production house Mirror Images. Lynch will be in Seattle this week for a three-day shoot at the iMusic club in Lower Queen Anne, said Nate Riley, producer and marketing director for Mirror Images."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune had this to say during a recent chat: "I believe Pete Carroll when he says there will be open competition, but I think it will be structured in such a way that Matt Flynn has the upper hand, both in practice and in games. They will do their best to make sure that Flynn looks good. You can't pay him $8 million in guaranteed salary this season and let him hold a clipboard. That makes no sense. They have two years to figure out if he's the franchise quarterback of the future, and the only way that happens is to see how he plays on the field."

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals have met expectations for a mostly quiet offseason. Coach Ken Whisenhunt, speaking right after the season: "You don't anticipate a lot of changes. We have a lot of young players and you're going to be together."

Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog spells out details of Daryn Colledge's contract restructuring. The team converted base salary to signing bonus, pushing some of the cap charge into future years.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated shares contents from a letter NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent to St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams regarding reinstatement from a bounty-related suspension that will last at least one season. King: "Sounds like if Williams makes some come-clean speeches to high school and college football teams around the country at the NFL's behest, he'll be back in the game in 2013 -- assuming the Rams will still employ him. That's likely, but not certain."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch asks whether Williams can effectively transition away from what has been his identity in the NFL. Miklasz: "Williams has built his career on cultivating an aggressive, attacking and violent mindset within his defense. ... Having been domesticated and deprogrammed, will Williams be able to motivate players the same as he did before? Can a formerly hard-edged coach still get the same results if he dramatically softens those edges? Legit questions." Noted: Williams has never done contrition well. This transition would seem to be problematic.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides the latest on Rams owner Stan Kroenke's attempt to purchase the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thomas: "Owning the Los Angeles Dodgers and the St. Louis Rams would violate cross-ownership rules. But if Kroenke should move the Rams to LA, he would be in compliance with cross-ownership rules because the Dodgers and the Rams would be in the same market. And this, obviously makes Rams fans even more antsy about the future of the team in St. Louis given the current stadium lease situation at the Edward Jones Dome."

A first-round draft choice isn't the only asking price for teams interested in Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free agent Mike Wallace.

Wallace, arguably the most formidable deep threat in the NFL, will command a fat contract as well.

How fat?

Matt Barrows of the Sacrament Bee says the San Francisco 49ers checked into Wallace, only to realize the receiver wanted a contract more lucrative than the one Larry Fitzgerald signed. Barrows: "Combine that with the first-round pick any team that signs Wallace to an offer sheet would lose if the Steelers didn't match the offer, and you start to understand why we've heard so little about Wallace in the last week and a half. That, of course, could change. Teams have another month to sign restricted free agents. But at that price, the 49ers aren't interested, and it's hard to imagine the Patriots, Bengals and Ravens paying that either." Noted: Restricted free agency has always been a mirage. It will remain one, largely, even though the price tag has come down now that the most expensive tender does not include a third-round choice on top of a first-rounder. Teams don't like giving up draft choices for the right to overpay.

Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee isn't buying Alex Smith's contention that there were no hard feelings when the 49ers pursued Peyton Manning. Voisin: "There isn't an athlete in pro sports who wouldn't be seething, wounded and increasingly distrustful of his bosses. Those chummy Smith-49ers family ties have been severely strained." Noted: The key variable is whether the 49ers were honest and forthright with Smith during the process.

Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News says Smith's coping ability serves him well. Purdy: "Will Smith be affected by Harbaugh's desire to seek a better quarterback alternative this offseason? Answer: Can't see why. Smith's mental toughness might have been an issue his first few seasons in the league, but his grittiness should never be questioned after that playoff performance against a New Orleans Saints team that, we now know, was just as concerned with maiming quarterbacks as stopping them."

Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat says the 49ers had to re-sign Smith after missing out on Manning.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com updates 49ers signings.

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams can still install Gregg Williams' defense even without the indefinitely suspended Williams. Miklasz: "The Rams may have not known about the New Orleans bounties -- but they knew Williams was no angel. He is who they thought he was. To fire Williams now would be a phony, hypocrisy-filled move. Why would the Rams bring Williams back if Roger Goodell reinstates him? I can think of a few reasons. The Fisher-Williams friendship is a factor. Williams has been a successful coordinator who cultivates the kind of defensive mindset that Fisher wants. That's also a factor. I'm also assuming Fisher has empathy, figuring that Williams deserves a second chance if Williams cooperates with the league, helps the league educate players on this serious issue and convinces the league that he's a reformed coach." Noted: The question I have is whether Williams can ever again coach credibly in the NFL, or whether the unapologetic brashness that made him appealing can survive these sanctions.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch quotes Rams sources as downplaying any interest in Tim Tebow.

Also from Thomas: a look at positions where the Rams have yet to address needs in free agency.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com looks at how the NFL's punishment against Williams and the New Orleans Saints affects Arizona. Urban: "To begin with, the Cardinals will be the first team to play the Saints, since the teams will match up Aug. 5 in the Hall of Fame game to kick off the preseason. Wonder what the talking points will be during that broadcast? You wonder if the Cards are just going to be in the background, because it’s hard to see the Saints’ storylines not dominating. ... The Saints lose second-round picks this year and next. That’ll move up the Cards’ third-round pick a slot sooner. We’ll see what it means in 2013."

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle quotes Seahawks general manager John Schneider on why free-agent defensive tackle Jason Jones was eager to sign with Seattle. Schneider: "He saw what Chris Clemons has done and what Raheem [Brock] has done and Dexter [Davis] in his first year. So to be able to come in here and be a situational interior pass-rusher -- which we've really been lacking over the last several years -- to come in here and be able to jump off the ball, really that noise factor was a big deal for him. We think he's got a big upside, and he thinks he's got a big upside as well, so he's looking at this as a proving ground. And again I think it's a credit to the 12th Man, because he saw this is a stadium he could come into and be incredibly effective."

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says free-agent defensive end Dave Tollefson visited the Seahawks.

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com notes that Marshawn Lynch will represent Seattle in the Madden cover contest.

The presumption of innocence is gone from the NFL regarding bounty programs.

Teams now must certify their organizations as bounty-free under guidelines put into place Wednesday. Commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams that owners must meet with head coaches to confirm the absence of bounty programs.

"Each principal owner and head coach must certify this in writing to the commissioner by March 30," Goodell told teams in a memo, according to the NFL.

Also from the league:

"The annual certifications required of each club under the league’s 'Integrity of the Game Policy' will be modified to include specific references to bounties and pay-for-performance programs. The prohibition on pay-for-performance programs includes not just 'bounties' but any form of non-contract bonus payment. Owners and head coaches share the responsibility for ensuring adherence to these rules and for promoting player safety and the integrity of the game.

The punishment Goodell handed down Wednesday, including a year-long suspension for Saints coach Sean Payton and an indefinite one for former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, now with the Rams, will get the attention of every owner in the NFL.

The punishment handed down to the players involved -- yet to be announced -- could deter players from pooling money for similar purposes, without the knowledge of coaches.

Initial thoughts on the NFL's announcement regarding punishment for Sean Payton, Mickey Loomis, Gregg Williams, Joe Vitt and the New Orleans Saints stemming from their bounty scandal:

• What it means for the Rams: Williams, their new defensive coordinator, has been suspended for at least the 2012 season. Commissioner Roger Goodell will review Williams' case following the season. This is a significant setback for the Rams and one that calls into question Williams' future with the team. Head coach Jeff Fisher and assistant head coach Dave McGinnis do have experience as defensive coordinators. They'll take the lead on defense, presumably. Williams cooperated with the NFL's investigation. I suspect failure to cooperate might have led to stiffer punishment (a lifetime ban, perhaps?). Payton received a one-year suspension. Loomis got eight games and a $500,000 fine. The Saints drew a $500,000 fine while losing second-round choices in 2012 and 2013. Vitt drew a six-game suspension.
• Commissioner expands power: Teams will take Goodell more seriously when he issues warnings behind the scenes. Goodell had instructed the Saints to handle this issue. Any team faced with similar warnings in the future now must take them more seriously. Goodell has made his point. Defy the commissioner and you're going to pay.
• Statement to players: The league has yet to announce punishment for players involved in this case. It's safe to assume the Saints organization and leadership will pay the highest price. Those critical of Goodell for his unilaterally administered punishment of players must now acknowledge the commissioner will hold teams and coaches accountable, too. The talk about higher standards has more merit following this punishment.
• Players safety issue: Handing out such stiff penalties potentially improves the NFL's position when fighting lawsuits relating to alleged negligence on concussions. The league now has tangible evidence -- not just words -- demonstrating the seriousness with which it takes all matters related to player safety.
• What it means for Steve Spagnuolo: The Saints hired former Rams coach Spagnuolo as their defensive coordinator when Williams left for St. Louis. Spagnuolo would be a logical candidate to serve as interim head coach in New Orleans. He would stand to benefit from such an arrangement, perhaps putting himself in position to succeed Payton or land another head-coaching job in the near future.

Williams can apparently improve his chances for returning.

"Commissioner Goodell said he will give close attention to the extent to which Coach Williams cooperates with the NFL in any further proceedings," the NFL said in a news release.

Williams has every reason to cooperate. I would expect him to do so, and I would expect the NFL to reinstate him in return. Will the Rams still have interest in retaining Williams at that time? I would think they would be best off moving forward without him, but Williams' friendship with Fisher could work in his favor.

Why NFL security is summoning Gregg Williams to New York matters a great deal.

Does the league mostly want his input regarding its investigation of the bounty system in place when Williams was the New Orleans Saints' defensive coordinator? This would be a best-case scenario for Williams and his current employer, the St. Louis Rams.

Williams has already indicated through his public statement a willingness to cooperate with the NFL. He presumably could cooperate via phone, but league security personnel might feel better about their ability to question him in person than from a distance. Williams also could meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Might the league also want Williams' testimony regarding bounty systems that allegedly existed in Buffalo and Washington, where Williams worked before he was with the Saints? This would be logical in light of recent reports. Williams mentioned only the Saints in his public statement. What, if anything, did he tell league officials previously about whether bounty systems existed beyond New Orleans?

A full investigation of teams throughout the league would not seem to serve NFL interests. The league can send a strong message regarding bounties by punishing the Saints and moving on. That approach could become more difficult to follow if evidence surfaces regarding other organizations, particularly those where Williams did not work previously.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Quarterback Aaron Rodgers kicked off Super Bowl week by complaining about the Pro Bowl.

Midway through the week, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick implied he felt similarly about the NFL's annual all-star game.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell capped the week by threatening to discontinue the annual all-star game if uncompetitive play continues.

Additionally competitive play should result now that the NFL's Most Valuable Player (Rodgers), its most decorated coach (Belichick) and highest-ranking executive (Goodell) have voiced their displeasure. Anyone planning to blatantly loaf through the game has been put on notice. Goodell's comments resembled what a coach might say through the media to get his team's attention. Time to step it up, guys.

George Atallah of the NFL Players Association responded Sunday by saying the game should continue.

I doubt the league would discontinue the game right away. TV ratings dipped some to a 7.9, but the Pro Bowl was still the highest-rated sporting event of the weekend. Players will not go full speed, nor should they. But they'll likely pick up the pace next year to avoid drawing more fire.

INDIANAPOLIS -- If Rams owner Stan Kroenke wasn't going to cut the St. Louis stadium authority any slack, neither was NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

They simply aren't going to profess their love for St. Louis while trying to leverage stadium improvements under a lease that could expire following the 2014 season.

Goodell, speaking at his annual Super Bowl news conference Friday, followed the impersonal tack Kroenke set during the news conference to announce Jeff Fisher as head coach last month. Both recited the facts when asked about keeping the Rams in St. Louis.

"We want to keep our franchises where they are, so we'd love to have the St. Louis Rams stay in St. Louis," Goodell said.

Well, then. The NFL wants the Rams to stay in St. Louis not necessarily for St. Louis, but because it wants its teams to stay put in general.

"There are lease issues that are going through the process," Goodell continued. "They were articulated very clearly in the lease. Both parties are engaging in that, and their having that dialogue will allow that process to play out, and at that point in time (it) will be more clear about what the issues are and what we need to do to resolve them."

The stadium authority got itself into this mess, he essentially said, so now it must deal with the consequences. And in the end, we'll find out whether St. Louis can pony up adequately.

This was a sweet deal from the beginning for the Rams, and the price of doing business for the city.

Goodell, asked whether upgrading the Edward Jones Dome to the NFL's standards was realistic in a mid-level market, went back to reciting the facts.

"Well, that’s what they agreed to, both the representatives of St. Louis and the team, when the team relocated back into the St. Louis market in the mid-'90s," he said.

As much as St. Louis-based Rams fans might want their team's ownership and the league to offer more convincing assurances, it's apparently not going to happen as long as leverage is at stake. That doesn't necessarily mean the Rams are bent on leaving town. But they will work for the best deal they can get, wherever it might be.

Rams fans in St. Louis have worried the team might move back to Los Angeles once its stadium lease voids following the 2014 season.

Hey, how about London?

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams will play a 2012 home game there, something that could become an annual occurrence. Thomas: "NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in October that he had been talking to several teams about becoming regulars in London to help build an overseas following. Such a development, Goodell said then, would be "very powerful and lead us to what we ultimately would like to do -- have a franchise here in London." Noted: This three-year agreement to ship Rams games overseas is a bummer for fans in St. Louis, for the coaching staff and for the football operations staff. The Rams' game against Tom Brady and New England is the one heading across the Atlantic Ocean in 2012. That was arguably the most attractive game on the Rams' 2012 home schedule. The league benefits from this. Rams owner Stan Kroenke, who already owns a sports franchise in London, gains favor with the league and fans abroad while remaining noncommittal about the team's future in St. Louis.

Also from Thomas: Steve Spagnuolo lands with the New Orleans Saints as defensive coordinator. Thomas: "The Rams were denied permission by Tennessee to interview Titans strength and conditioning coach Steve Watterson. Watterson was with the Titans/Houston Oilers throughout all of Fisher's 16 full seasons as head coach there."

Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expects Jeff Fisher to bring a rough-and-tumble brand of football to the Rams.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com predicts a New York Giants victory over the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Maiocco: "But I must admit, I do not have a strong feeling about this game because it’s difficult to find glaring holes that either team can exploit in the other. The Giants are coming off the most impressive victory in the NFL this season. They went on the road last week and thrashed the top-seeded Green Bay Packers. There is little doubt the Giants are peaking. Of course, the 49ers' best victory was their near-miraculous victory Saturday over the New Orleans Saints. Forget the Saints and Packers, though. The 49ers and Giants finished as the two best teams in the NFC."

Ray Ratto of CSNBayArea.com says there's a calm before the NFC Championship Game storm.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis rested a knee injury Thursday. Willis practiced fully Wednesday. Tough to imagine him missing the game Sunday. Delanie Walker and Dashon Goldson did get some work.

Lowell Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat seeks meaning in the phrases Jim Harbaugh frequently uses.

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News is predicting a 49ers defeat to the Giants. Kawakami: "A lot of things point to the 49ers–the home crowd, the extra day’s rest (49ers played Saturday), the non-travel (NYGs flying across country), the NYGs’ seven losses, the offensive, defensive and overall momentum surging through the franchise and Bay Area after that New Orleans-game event horizon. Wow, that’s even more things than I originally thought. I can see why 49ers fans would not quite go with what I’m saying here. However, I still see the Giants winning this game, albeit not by more than a point or two, which means a late turnover or silly mistake could tilt this game either way, obviously. I just think the Giants are built to win these kinds of games, in hostile territory, when the pressure is at its highest. Eli Manning is a big part of my reasoning, no doubt."

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers' tackling must be sound in the open field.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic says the Cardinals need to bring back Todd Haley to their offensive coaching staff. Bickley: "Maybe you can't go home again. But once upon a time, Haley and coach Ken Whisenhunt had a symbiotic relationship. Whisenhunt is composed, intelligent, measured, stubborn, superstitious and is devoted to detail, his friends and his system. Haley is in your face, a climber, the lava underfoot, a horse's hide to complacent players, the perfect complement to a steadfast leader. Together, the two helped steer a sorry franchise to the top of the NFL. ... Personally, I don't believe the team's erratic offense in 2011 merits special consideration for the incumbent coordinator. A heavy title is needed to empower Haley's prodding voice, and really, why else would you hire him? And that many people still are uncomfortable with Haley's abrasive personality is exactly why he's so valuable to a staff and a team."

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle passes along highlights from a conversation analyzing what the Seahawks might do with Leroy Hill and David Hawthorne. Noted: The team needs to draft linebacker help either way. I would advocate bringing back Hill, then determine what to do with Hawthorne based on the health of his knee. The Seahawks gave Hill a chance when few other teams would have done so. Seems like he would want to come back.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says the Seahawks finished among the NFL leaders in handling sudden-change situations.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times says the Seahawks were the only team in the NFL to defeat two of the four teams remaining in the playoffs.

RENTON, Wash. -- A large crowd gathered around Raheem Brock's locker when the Seattle Seahawks' media availability began Thursday.

The veteran defensive end has appealed the $15,000 fine levied against him for hitting Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the knee Sunday. Brock contends he was tripped on the play, and there is some supporting evidence.

Brock contends that he likely would have made a game-changing play in the Seahawks' favor had the Steelers' right tackle, Marcus Gilbert, not stuck out a leg in his path after Brock beat him with a spin move.

"I'm really upset," Brock said. "It could have been a sack, caused fumble and changed the game. Instead, I got tripped up and fined."

Players have complained in the past about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's power to serve as judge, jury and appeals court on player discipline. The labor agreement adopted in recent months contained the following stipulations for fines involving unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct:

• A person appointed by the commissioner, after consultation with the NFL Players Association, will as soon as possible notify the offending player and the NFLPA of the decision, in writing;
• The player may appeal the fine within three business days of notification;
• The player can ask that the fine be reduced if the amount exceeds 25 percent of one week's salary for a first offense and 50 percent of one week's salary for a second offense;
• The commissioner, in consultation with the NFLPA, will appoint one or more hearing officers for the appeal, which can be handled by phone or video conference;
• The hearing officer or officers can affirm, reduce or wipe out the fine, but they may not increase it;
• Half of fine money goes to the Players Assistance Trust, with the other half going to charities determined by the NFL and NFLPA, unless the parties agree to another arrangement.

Brock said he expects to learn results of his appeal this week.

Recently retired Arizona Cardinals fullback Jason Wright follows his piece on lockout implications for rookies with thoughts on how the lockout was ultimately good for the game.

The National Football League lockout was like a long Midwest winter, the kind that makes people save money for a home in Arizona.

Conflicting court decisions, leverage-minded news releases and false leads on resolution made the NFL skies appear grayer and grayer.

The lockout’s end has brought the same enthusiasm as the first sunny day of spring. Players are excitedly returning to the game like kids on the first day of Pop Warner practice. Owners are elated that the money will indeed be rolling in by the bucketloads again. Team employees are glad that same money will put food on their families’ tables. And the fans are feasting on a frenzied free-agency period and a quick start to actual football!

In retrospect, the lockout was not all bad. I believe there was a shiny silver lining in its gloomy reign over pro football. I believe the game is now healthier than ever, and a robust framework is in place to prevent another nasty offseason battle from materializing. Now that the lockout has ended, there is an argument that it was “good” in a number of ways.

Valuable lessons

Owners and players have worked successfully together for years in a special employer/employee relationship; special because of the unique position of the players (a superemployee of sorts that is resource, labor and final product combined). Both sides likely thought they were familiar with their counterparts, but the lockout allowed the parties to truly become acquainted.

Owners learned that the players were more strategically and intellectually gifted than expected. They also learned that strong labor leadership could produce player solidarity even in the individualist era of pro football. Likewise, players found that the owners didn’t become wealthy by chance: They DO NOT play when it comes to the balance sheet. Although players will never know whether the league was truly hemorrhaging funds, they did learn that the NFL will do what it takes to ensure that all owners feel comfortable investing in the growth of America’s game.

Call it what you will, but as a businessperson, you must respect it.

More personal in character were the opportunities for growth in individual players. While the NFLPA has always produced an intelligent, business-savvy player board, the average player hasn’t always been so conversant in the particulars of sports business. He certainly is now. Additionally, not knowing when the next paycheck will arrive allowed many players to get a feel for how they will have to live when they enter the “real world” after football. It is my hope that this will prevent the current crop of NFL athletes from following the disastrous financial paths walked by many former players.

Leaders coming of age

From my arm’s-length view, the heads of both the NFL and the NFLPA earned their stripes (and their paychecks) during this lockout. DeMaurice Smith always carried a charismatic presence. It’s why the player board elected him NFLPA chief a few years back even though he was the out-of-nowhere candidate. He turned out to be not only a dynamic speaker but also a visionary strategist.

Although things didn’t go perfectly according to plan, his vision proved resilient, and he was able to successfully steer the players home. His transparency with players was a new development in NFLPA conduct that, in my opinion, kept players from fracturing as the going got tough. His openness certainly converted this longtime union cynic to cautious-but-serious supporter. I am not nearly as familiar with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell but nonetheless give him credit for picking up the mantle of leadership. Getting the owners of 32 teams in 32 unique markets with 32 specific needs to coalesce is no small task.

Add to that the fact that owners are brilliant businessmen, confident in their respective business track records, and the commissioner’s work deserves a standing ovation.

Because these two men were made stronger through the lockout’s rigors, the business state of the game has been likewise strengthened.

Football is now truly a business

Most importantly, the way in which the NFL and the NFLPA interact over the collective bargaining agreement is forever changed. Under the leadership of Paul Tagliabue and Gene Upshaw, collective bargaining got done, in large part, through the conduit of their friendship. It appears they each fully trusted that the other was able and willing to steer his constituents in the best direction for the long-term health of the game. They trusted each other to do this without screwing the other side over in the many dirty details of the negotiation.

Their respective constituencies had faith in their leaders to handle business this way.

As they opted out of the former CBA, owners claimed that the two men had a gentleman’s agreement that the deal would be redone at some point. If true, this is a case in point. This “golf buddy” method of doing business works rather smoothly. It is, however, completely dependent on the friendship of the two men at the top. Because of the nasty rhetoric voiced during the 2011 lockout, the relationship of players and ownership will likely never be like this again. There is now a mildly adversarial tension between the two groups expressed in a healthy distrust of each other. I believe this is a good thing.

I’ve done business with friends many times, and my attention to detail in those partnerships has been, admittedly, sloppier than usual. Because I had established a level of trust with them, I didn’t flesh out all the details. I foolishly figured we could adjust things later if an issue arose. As a result, most of these endeavors came back to bite me in some way. The times I’ve done business with strangers, especially hyperaggressive stereotypical business types, I was certain I’d closed every possible loophole and fully evaluated risk. Heck, I’d even had industry-specific experts sign off on the contract language. As a result, there were no surprises and far less drama as these ventures played out. This is the better way to do business.

The meticulousness that comes with an atmosphere of distrust produces sound business transactions and lasting agreements. I believe this is why there is now a decade-long CBA for which neither side seriously sought an opt-out clause. Both sides have checked every corner of fine print and read every footnote. They are fully aware of their respective “wins” and “losses” and are comfortable with them moving forward. As long as the two groups remain cordial but don’t go back to being “buddy-buddy” labor partners, this is likely the stability we’ll see from here on out. And for everyone who cares about the game of pro football, this is a very good byproduct of a very bad NFL offseason. Here’s to the sunny days that lie ahead.