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Goodell: Suh's intent very difficult to judge

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says it's very difficult for the league to judge whether Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh intended to kick Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says it's very difficult for the league to judge whether Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh intended to kick Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub in the groin.

Goodell met with reporters before speaking at a Lions charity event Tuesday night, a day after the league decided it would not suspend Suh.

Goodell says he hasn't spoken to Suh about the play but that the league's football operations staff is in the process of speaking to the player about it. Goodell says the league will decide whether Suh will be fined within the next few days.

Suh was on his chest after being taken down by an offensive lineman on Thursday and extended his left foot to hit Schaub below the belt.

NFL great Pardee is ill

Jack Pardee, one of Bear Bryant's "Junction Boys" who went on to become a five-time all-pro linebacker and an NFL coach, has been diagnosed with gall bladder cancer and has six to nine months to live, his family said.

Anne Pardee said her father was in good spirits despite the diagnosis.

She said the cancer has spread to other organs and that her 77-year-old father plans to move to a Denver hospice, where the College Football Hall of Fame inductee's wife, Phyllis, has been receiving care since having a stroke, Anne confirmed to the Associated Press.

Newton is improving

Coach Ron Rivera says despite some growing pains he believes Cam Newton is improving and is "right where you want a second-year quarterback to be."

Newton's overall record as an NFL starter is just 9-18 and he hasn't come close this year to matching the numbers he put up as a rookie.

Still, Rivera says Carolina's 30-22 victory Monday night over the Eagles only reaffirms his belief Newton is making steady strides. Newton threw for 306 yards and had four touchdowns - two passing and two rushing - in the victory.

The Panthers expected more of those types of performances from Newton.