Goodell still wants final say

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is willing to lessen his role in the player discipline process, but he’s still reluctant to give up final say.

Goodell told ESPN Radio on Tuesday morning the league resists third-party arbitration. The players union wants disciplinary power now held by Goodell to be handled by a neutral arbitrator.

Goodell said he’s “very open” to changing his role and called it “extremely time consuming,” adding he has discussed this matter with several owners the past couple years. After a federal judge overturned Tom Brady’s four-game suspension in the “Deflategate” scandal last week, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank suggested it may be time to revisit the system that makes Goodell the sole arbiter of cases.

But Goodell indicated any change would come within the initial discipline process, not with the way appeals are handled.

Around the league

Rams rookie RB Todd Gurley, has begun practicing full-contact drills. However, he will not play in the Rams season opener against the Seahawks in St. Louis. … The Bills re-signed QB Matt Cassel, whom they released on Tuesday, to a more salary-cap friendly salary. Cassel signed a one-year deal, but specifics weren’t released. … The Cowboys have added a second QB to their practice squad in Kellen Moore, a veteran out of Boise State. … The Lions have signed quarterback Ricky Stanzi to their practice squad. … The NFL Players Association’s lawsuit alleging that league owners set a secret salary cap in 2010 has been rejected again in federal court.