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NFL | Goodell acts, suspending Jones, Henry

NEW YORK - Roger Goodell cracked down yesterday on the player misconduct that has plagued his first seven months as NFL commissioner, suspending Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones for the 2007 season and Cincinnati's Chris Henry for eight games.

The Titans' Adam "Pacman" Jones has been suspended, with the Bengals' Chris Henry. E8.
The Titans' Adam "Pacman" Jones has been suspended, with the Bengals' Chris Henry. E8.Read more

NEW YORK - Roger Goodell cracked down yesterday on the player misconduct that has plagued his first seven months as NFL commissioner, suspending Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones for the 2007 season and Cincinnati's Chris Henry for eight games.

"It is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right," Goodell said in a statement. "These players and all members of our league have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis."

Goodell warned Henry and Jones that they were down to their "last opportunity" to save their careers. He warned they could be banned from the league if they get into more trouble.

Jones' off-field conduct has included 10 instances in which he was interviewed by police. The most recent took place during the NBA's all-star weekend in Las Vegas. Police there recommended felony and misdemeanor charges against the cornerback after a fight and shooting at a strip club paralyzed one man.

Jones' suspension could be longer depending on developments in that case. However, the suspension also could be as short as 10 games if Jones meets the conditions set by the NFL and is cleared in a pending case in Georgia as well as the Las Vegas case.

Henry was arrested four times within 14 months, resulting in two benchings by coach Marvin Lewis and a two-game league suspension. The wide receiver was one of nine Bengals arrested in nine months.

Goodell handed down the suspensions under the NFL's existing conduct policy and announced a new, broader policy that will allow longer fines and suspensions for players and potential penalties against teams.

The Titans and Bengals said they supported the suspensions. Jones' attorney, Manny Arora, declined comment.

"Unfortunately, this decision does not end our deliberations about this player for our team," Titans owner Bud Adams said.

"We support the commissioner's ruling," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "And while we regret the circumstances that called for it, it's good for both Chris and the Bengals to have the matter resolved."

Henry is permitted to work out at the Bengals' facilities in the off-season and participate in training camp, including preseason games.

Goodell and Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, met with a group of players in February and again last week and agreed the league needed a stronger disciplinary policy.

Falcons. Star tight end Alge Crumpler, a four-time Pro Bowl performer, underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday to clean debris from his left knee, the team said.

Packers. Middle linebacker Nick Barnett, Green Bay's leading tackler in three of his four seasons with the club, agreed to a six-year contract extension. Financial details were not available, but ESPN.com estimated that the deal was worth $10 million.

Giants. New York signed placekicker Marc Hickok and punter Cory Ohnesorge. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

Jurisprudence. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon was arrested for investigation of drunken driving after a trooper pulled over his vehicle for speeding.

Moon was stopped in downtown Kirkland, Wash., state police said. The case was forwarded to King County prosecutors. Results of Moon's blood-alcohol test were not released.

Irvin sued. Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin is being sued by a contractor who contends the former Dallas Cowboys star grabbed his arm and injured him during a dispute over a $2,800 payment.

Shawn Vandergrift was hired to install a fountain at Irvin's home in Plano, Texas. He is seeking unspecified damages stemming from the December argument, according to court records.

Irvin told the Dallas Morning News the allegations were "blackmail."

Noteworthy. Darryl Stingley, paralyzed by one of the most infamous hits in the history of professional football, was remembered for the grace with which he accepted his life-altering injury.

He died Thursday at age 55 and was buried yesterday in Forest Hills, Ill.

Stingley, a star receiver with the New England Patriots, was left a quadriplegic after a hit by the Oakland Raiders' Jack Tatum while trying to catch a pass in an exhibition game on Aug. 12, 1978. Stingley's neck was broken, and he spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair.