A transfer to Oregon could boost Adams NFL Draft status in

CANTON, Ohio -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended himself Friday against criticism that he was too lenient in suspending Ray Rice two games for his "horrible mistake." "We just cant make up the discipline," Goodell said. "It has to be consistent with other cases. And it was in this matter." Goodell stressed that the Baltimore running back has assumed responsibility for his conduct, has no history of assault and is following a court order to enter a diversionary program following his domestic violence arrest. "Weve dealt with it in a serious manner, and were very confident that this young man understands where he is and what he needs to do going forward," Goodell said. "I think whats important here is Ray has taken responsibility for this. Hes been accountable for his actions. He recognizes he made a horrible mistake that is unacceptable by his standards, by our standards. And hes got to work to re-establish himself." Goodell spoke a day before the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It was his first opportunity to answer questions regarding Rice since disciplining him July 24. A day earlier, Rice apologized at training camp in his first comments since the suspension. He called his actions "totally inexcusable" and acknowledged he must live with this for the rest of his life. The six-year veteran will miss the Ravens season opener against Cincinnati on Sept. 7 and the Sept. 11 game against Pittsburgh. Rice allegedly struck then-fiancee Janay Palmer, now his wife, on Feb. 15 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 27-year-old player has been accepted into a diversion program and upon completion could result in the charges being expunged. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended six games in 2010 after being accused of sexually assaulting a 20-year-old college student. That suspension was eventually reduced to four games. Goodell said, unlike Roethlisberger, Rice had not had off-field problems before. "If its a first offence, someone whos had a strong background of being very responsible in the community, doing the right things and not violating other policies or anything else that reflect poorly on the NFL, then we would take that into account," Goodell said. "And when theres a pattern, we also take that into account on the other side." Many critics contend Rices suspension is insufficient when compared to longer suspensions for players who violate the leagues substance abuse policy. Goodell noted there is a policy in place to determine punishment based on the number of times a player tests positive. "You have to respond to facts here. You have a lot of people voicing their opinions," Goodell said. "But I think its important to understand that this is a young man who made a terrible mistake." Goodell also stressed that Rice acknowledged he was wrong and promised to speak out against domestic violence. The commissioner said it was important he had the chance to meet with both the player and Palmer. "What I want to see is success stories," Goodell said. "I want to see people, when they make a mistake, I want to see them take responsibility, be accountable for it and make a difference going forward. I hope thats what Ray Rice is going to do." On other league matters, Goodell declined to comment on possible suspensions for three players implicated in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal last season, but he said theyve fulfilled league requirements so far. Richie Incognito, Mike Pouncey and John Jerry were all implicated in the episode, which prompted tackle Jonathan Martin to quit the team. "There are different issues with different individuals," Goodell said. "The bottom line is everything is proceeding. Theyre doing what theyve been asked to do. And that we will make individual decisions if necessary." Pouncey is still with the Dolphins. Jerry is with the New York Giants. Incognito, whose troubled relationship with Martin caused the scandal to mushroom, is unsigned. "I would say the one person that has been very responsive and has gone through the program is Richie Incognito," Goodell said. "Were working with his people and monitoring his progress." Cheap Soccer Jerseys Online . It will mark the 22nd time the tournament has been held in this country and fourth in Atlanta Canada but will make its first appearance ever in played Nova Scotia. Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Store . "Im excited just for a new start, just to see where things are going, to bring some kind of tradition back to the team and guys being excited about something new," the defensive back said during a conference call Monday after agreeing to stay with the Bombers rather than go to free agency next month. http://www.cheapsoccerjerseys.co/ . -- Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera has a broken bone below his right eye after being struck by a bad-hop grounder, sidelining the star slugger for at least a week with opening day on deck. Soccer Jerseys Outlet . The 21-year-old Canadian earned a spot in his third career ATP final on Saturday thanks to his first Top 10 victory of the new tennis season, a 6-4, 6-4 win over world no. 10 Nicolas Almagro of Spain. Discount Soccer Jerseys .5 million contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. Hatcher agreed to terms Thursday, according to a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been signed.MANCHESTER, England -- Jose Mourinho endured his first Premier League loss since returning to Chelsea at Everton on Saturday, while Manchester City was frustrated in a draw at Stoke. For Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham, however, there were routine victories as the league swung back into action for the first time since the transfer window closed in the international break. Samuel Etoo failed to make an immediate scoring impact on his Chelsea debut as Steven Naismith gave Everton a 1-0 win. Naismith headed into the net from close range in first-half stoppage time on his 27th birthday after Nikica Jelavic nodded the ball across to the forward. While it was Roberto Martinezs first win as Everton manager after three draws, Chelsea has two wins from four league matches since Mourinho -- the self-styled "Special One" -- returned after six years. "It was a special game, a special opposition and a very good performance," Martinez said. Mourinho saw things differently. "We didnt deserve to lose because we were the best team because we played the best football because we dominated the whole game," he said. Arsenal reaped some early reward from its decision to spend a club-record 50 million euros ($66 million) on Mesut Ozil on transfer deadline day two weeks ago. The Germany playmaker set up Olivier Giroud for the opener before in-form Aaron Ramsey scored twice in a 3-1 win at Sunderland. A third straight win maintained Arsenals resurgence after a demoralizing opening-day defeat to Aston Villa. "Youve seen what he is all about, slipping those balls in," Ramsey said of Ozil, who was substituted after 80 minutes on his debut. "He has one of highest assist rates in Europe and he is going to create a lot of opportunities for us." Manchester Citys mixed start to the season continued by scraping a 0-0 draw at Stoke. United was also far from fluent in aa 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace that turned on a contentious decision to send off Kagisho Dikgacoi in the 43rd minute for a foul on Ashley Young.dddddddddddd Despite the challenge coming outside the area, a penalty was awarded -- and converted by Robin van Persie -- before Wayne Rooney curled in an 81st-minute free kick to hand David Moyes a first success at Old Trafford. Rooney was playing with a thick headband to cover a deep cut to the forehead sustained in a training-ground incident two weeks ago. Tottenham began life without Gareth Bale, who joined Real Madrid two weeks ago, by outclassing Norwich 2-0 with a double from Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was set up for his first goal by new signing Christian Eriksen. Arsenal and Tottenham are level on nine points while the Manchester rivals both are on 7. Liverpool protects its perfect start to the season when it plays Swansea on Monday. Elsewhere Saturday, France playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa scored one and set up another as Newcastle beat Aston Villa 2-1 away for its second victory in a row. West Bromwich Albion claimed its first point of the season by scoring in injury time for a 1-1 draw at Fulham and Hull drew 1-1 with Cardiff in a match between two promoted clubs. While United was thankful for a refereeing decision to turn its game against Palace, Arsenal also benefited from a debatable call at the Stadium of Light when the score was 2-1. United States striker Jozy Altidore beat Bacary Sagna to the ball and prodded home a finish, only for the referee to bring play back for an earlier foul against Arsenal. It was too much for combustible Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio, who was sent from the dugout in injury time. "He came to me and said if you keep going with your manner, I send you up to the stand," Di Canio said. "I said to him, If you want to complete a perfect job, you send me off and that is what he did." ' ' '