PHOENIX, Ariz. — Roger Goodell's first full NFL meeting as commissioner is beginning with one item at the top of the agenda: a crackdown on players who get in trouble with the law.
The meetings formally begin today with Goodell's state of the NFL address to the owners. But everyone was on hand Sunday for committee meetings.
As did his predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, Goodell is likely to say the state of the league is good. However, he is also expected to announce, most likely on Tuesday, new and strengthened rules for discipline for what is perceived as an increasing number of players with legal issues.
"Everyone agrees you have to have increased discipline," John Mara, co-owner of the New York Giants said Sunday. "But you have to take legal issues into account on how quickly you can act and you have to take into account the form the discipline would take — if, for example, you discipline teams that have multiple players who get in trouble. But what's been happening isn't good for the anyone."
NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD: The NFL set a paid attendance record for the fifth straight season, surpassing 22 million for the first time.
Total attendance was 22,199,712, up more than 400,000 fans from the 2005 season. That includes playoff games; the regular-season numbers for 2006 were 17,340,879, another record.
For the seventh consecutive season, the Redskins had the top attendance. Of course, FedEx Field seats 91,704, by far the biggest stadium in the NFL. Washington drew 708,952, followed by the New York Giants (628,925), Kansas City (624,171) and the New York Jets (618,563).
BEARS SIGN PRO BOWLER: The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with Pro Bowl left guard Ruben Brown.
LIONS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MULITALO, PILLER: The Detroit Lions agreed to terms on contracts with veteran guards Edwin Mulitalo and Zach Piller on Sunday.