NEW ORLEANS -- A couple of NFC North developments arose Tuesday from commissioner Roger Goodell's news conference to conclude the NFL owners meeting:
Goodell told Minnesota reporters that he will enforce no discipline on any participants in the StarCaps case until all appeals are exhausted. Essentially, that means Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams -- who gave up his legal case earlier this month -- will remain eligible to play until former Vikings nose tackle Pat Williams' latest appeal is decided.
Goodell confirmed that the Detroit Lions appealed the sanctions they received last month for tampering with a player under contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. He said he hoped to deal with the issue "as soon as I get back in my office." Unless overturned, the Lions will lose a seventh-round pick and drop 14 spots in the fifth round of next month's draft for allegations that the NFL said it substantiated.