Goodell evidently won’t be deterred

People with knowledge of the decision say NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will hear Tom Brady’s appeal of his four-game suspension for his role in the deflated footballs scandal. The NFL told the players’ union Friday that Goodell will not recuse himself.

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because Goodell’s decision has not been made public. Goodell considers it his responsibility to hear the appeal.

The union asked Goodell to withdraw from that role because it said he was not impartial and would be called as a witness.

Brady was suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season after a league-sanctioned report by lawyer Ted Wells found the New England quarterback “at least generally aware” of a scheme to deflate footballs used in the AFC title game.

Cowboys’ Scandrick signs extension

Cornerback Orlando Scandrick has the raise he sought by skipping the first two weeks of voluntary offseason workouts with the Dallas Cowboys.

The eighth-year veteran signed a one-year contract extension, adding $9.5 million to what’s now a five-year deal worth $20 million through 2019.

It’s the second time in three years the Cowboys have reworked contract terms for Scandrick, who missed the first two weeks of voluntary offseason workouts in hopes of getting more money. He reported this week.

The 28-year-old Scandrick was Dallas’ best cornerback last year but was set to make just $1.5 million this season. Now he’ll get $4 million, half of what Brandon Carr will make without a pay cut after his first season without an interception.

Jets’ Richardson fires back at critics

New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson says fans critical of him for skipping voluntary practices with the team need to relax and focus on themselves.

The Jets began their first series of organized team activities this week. Richardson, who played in his first Pro Bowl last season, did not participate in the first two.

Several fans were critical of him on social media. Richardson took to Twitter on Friday to explain that “I have a life outside of football” and he chose to spend time with his family. Richardson indicates that he practiced Thursday, and adds that the fans who “know everything” should “worry ’bout yourself.”