uebshingo1988

NOTEBOOK GREEN BAY, Wis. — Commissioner Roger Goodell hopes to haveBrett Favre's standoff with the Green Bay Packers resolved byMonday — even if he has to force the issue.

"Both parties are talking, the Green Bay Packers and Brett,"Goodell said in an interview with the NFL Network on Saturday. "AndI think the discussions are moving ahead. I would hope that wewould have something resolved by Monday."

Goodell made it clear he thinks the situation has lingered longenough.

"I think we have to force it," Goodell said. "I think it's come tothe point where there need to be some decisions made on behalf ofthe Packers, on behalf of Brett, on behalf of all the fans."

In a visit to Bengals training camp earlier Saturday, Goodell saidhe wasn't trying to interject himself into the Favre situation.

"I was interjected into it because there was a tampering chargeinitially," Goodell said.

During that visit, Goodell said that "something is wrong" with theNFL's system for signing rookies, noting that Cincinnati stilldoesn't have its top draft pick in camp. USC linebacker KeithRivers, the ninth overall pick last April, has missed six days ofpractice.

"I think it's a disservice when players aren't in camp and beingpaid properly," Goodell said.

Panthers suspend Smith

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Receiver Steve Smith was suspended twogames by the Carolina Panthers after a training-camp fight withcornerback Ken Lucas.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, will continue to practicewhen training camp resumes Monday and will be allowed toparticipate in exhibition games, coach John Fox said Saturday.

Lucas, who left the practice field at Wofford College on Fridaywith ice over his left eye, has a broken nose, Fox said. Smith waskicked out of practice and sent back to Charlotte.