Union hopes to convince Goodell on Jones

The NFL Players Association hopes to convince commissioner Roger Goodell to change his mind and reduce the season-long suspension of Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, a union attorney said Monday.

"Our main argument is when you compare Jones' suspension to that of other players whose conduct have fallen under the policy, his discipline is quite severe in comparison," attorney Richard Berthelsen said.

The union notified the NFL of its appeal in a letter dated Nov. 8 and asked for a hearing as soon as possible. The NFL declined to comment when asked about the union's appeal Sunday.

Berthelsen said they hope to talk with NFL officials Tuesday and agree on a date quickly. Only seven weeks remain in the regular season. The union would like to see the suspension reduced to 10 games, which Berthelsen said was the inference drawn from the punishment handed down in April.

Goodell did not reduce the punishments he gave defensive tackle Tank Johnson or Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry. He promised to review Jones' case after the Titans' 10th game, which will be played Monday night in Denver.

But Goodell met with Jones on Nov. 2 and notified him Nov. 6 the suspension would not be shortened.

"It's an attempt to get him to change his mind, frankly," Berthelsen said.

Because this involves the NFL's personal conduct policy, the commissioner has exclusive jurisdiction and the union's appeal will be heard by Goodell.

"No one said it would be easy," Berthelsen said.

When Goodell suspended Jones in April, the cornerback had been arrested five times since the Titans drafted him in April 2005 with the sixth pick overall. He was arrested for the sixth time in June on two felony counts stemming from a fight at a Las Vegas strip club that led to a triple shooting and left one man paralyzed.