Goodell on Favre, M. Lynch

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said today that he will not serve as a mediator in the dispute between the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Brett Favre.

"From my standpoint, these are decisions that the team and Brett are going to have to make individually based on what their desires are," Goodell told reporters after visiting the Buffalo Bills' training camp, according to a transcript provided by the Bills. "The most important thing is that they're communicating properly and they both understand what's important to one another."

Favre had said over the weekend he was hopeful that Goodell would serve as an arbitrator. Goodell said today that he won't be directly involved in formulating a resolution.

"I was asked to get involved," Goodell said. "We had a charge as it relates to tampering, which is a very important rule from our standpoint. And then I was asked to be involved with some various discussions between the parties, which is an issue that is important for the Green Bay Packers. They have rights here. It's important for Brett Favre. He has rights also. And I'm glad to see that they're all productive discussions and they're talking directly to one another. They're both important to the league going forward and hopefully they'll reach a proper resolution."

Goodell said the investigation of possible tampering by the Viking for alleged improper contact with Favre was ongoing.

Of the possibility of Favre playing this season, Goodell said: "Brett Favre's a great player, a great competitor, and I think it's been a great reflection on the Packers and the NFL. So if Brett Favre wants to return and play, I think that would be a great thing for the fans and for the league."

Goodell also indicated the league would not discipline Bills tailback Marshawn Lynch for his involvement in a hit-and-run accident.

"It was reduced to a traffic violation and I think when you look at the facts and understand exactly what happened after some of the initial reports, I think that it's not a violation of our personal conduct policy," Goodell said. "On the other hand, Marshawn understands that these things are important to the league and that he will avoid those types of situations in the future."

By Mark Maske |  July 28, 2008; 4:31 PM ET  | Category:  Bills , League , Packers
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