NFL considering minority hirings issue

New York The NFL is considering meeting with two lawyers threatening to sue the league over the lack of black head coaches.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed Sunday that the league received a request from Johnnie Cochran Jr. and Cyrus Mehri, the two lawyers who released a report on the issue last week.

“We’ve had many meetings over the years on this subject,” Aiello said. “We’re considering the request and will respond next week.”

Tagliabue long has advocated hiring more black coaches. There are currently two in the NFL Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts and Herman Edwards of the New York Jets.

Using statistics from the past 15 years, the lawyers’ report said black coaches had been more successful than their white counterparts, but that they weren’t being hired in numbers commensurate with that success.

Since Art Shell became the first black head coach of the modern era with the Raiders in 1989, there have been five hired: Dungy, Edwards, Shell, Dennis Green and Ray Rhodes.

Saints cornerback denied readmission

New Orleans New Orleans Saints cornerback Dale Carter, serving an indefinite suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, has been denied reinstatement by commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

“Yes, that’s correct. He was not reinstated,” Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Sunday, confirming a decision first reported by CBS.

Carter, a four-time Pro Bowler and former Kansas City Chief, who had to sit out the 2000 season for substance abuse, failed another test was suspended indefinitely in July.

“We don’t talk about it, it’s a confidential matter as far as the NFL is concerned,” said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. “I can confirm he has not been reinstated, but I can’t say anything else.”

Carter is free to apply for reinstatement again at any time, Aiello said.

Carter, who signed a seven-year, $28 million contract with the Saints in March, was suspended in April 2000 for 1 1/2 years for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

Under the agreement with the NFL Management Council that allowed his reinstatement, Carter agreed to abstain from alcohol and was told a positive test would mean suspension.

Neither Carter, nor his agent Mitch Frankel were available for comment.

Seahawks’ Bell fined $25,000

New York Seattle linebacker Marcus Bell has been fined $25,000 for knocking down umpire Carl Madsen during the Sept. 29 game between the Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings.

It’s the largest fine in the NFL this year. Denver’s Deltha O’Neal was fined $15,000 for bumping an official during Monday night’s game in Baltimore.

Bell was not penalized for the hit on Madsen.

The fine was first reported Sunday by CBS and confirmed by the NFL.