Roger Goodell: Rogers and Smith's gun cases are still under review

[SJ_Browns]

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/...dell_still.html

 

BEREA, Ohio — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spent several hours visiting Browns training camp Thursday, fielding questions from season-ticket holders, media and players.

 

But one question Goodell did not answer conclusively is whether Browns defensive linemen Shaun Rogers and Robaire Smith will face league suspensions for gun-related arrests over the past eight months.

 

Goodell said both incidents are still under review by his staff. He offered no timetable on making a ruling. But Goodell, who has made player conduct a high priority since succeeding Paul Tagliabue in 2006, sounded as if both players will face some discipline for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

 

Rogers was arrested April 1 for carrying a loaded gun in a luggage bag while passing through a security checkpoint at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Rogers avoided a felony charge July 15 by entering a diversion program and agreeing to community service.

 

Smith was arrested in November for a similar offense in Bishop Airport in Flint, Mich. That incident, a misdemeanor offense in Michigan, did not come to light until recently, blindsiding even team President Mike Holmgren.

 

"Obviously, it's a clear mistake," Goodell said. "It is a violation of law. It's the kind of judgments that we have to make sure we do a better job of avoiding."

 

The same day Rogers entered the diversion program, he assisted police in pulling over an erratic driver on I-71 in Middleburg Heights by calling 9-1-1.

 

Goodell, who said he was aware of the latter incident, would not say if the Good Samaritan act would play a role in disciplining Rogers.

 

"It's a great example of a young man making a mistake on one hand and doing something very positive on the other," he said. "It's another demonstration that our guys do wonderful things on and off the field. They're going to make mistakes, though, and obviously they made a couple of mistakes here."

 

Goodell addressed the Browns' team later in the evening, but he said he would not specifically meet with Rogers and Smith to discuss their incidents