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Shell will handle appeals of on-field discipline

NEW YORK -- Hall of Famer Art Shell was hired Thursday by the league to handle player appeals of on-field disciplinary action.

Shell, an All-Pro tackle for the Raiders who also was the first black coach in the modern NFL, was appointed as appeals officer by commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

The league and NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw cited Shell's coaching experience as a plus for serving in the position.

"All of us here feel it is a perfect fit," said John Beake, the NFL's vice president of operations and development. "The commissioner and Gene Upshaw recognized the players wanted somebody with playing experience, coaching experience, who was a position coach and head coach. Art brings a lot to the whole process.

"The other thing is he is so well-respected."

Shell, who was traveling Thursday and unavailable for comment, will decide on appeals of discipline handed out by NFL director of football operations Gene Washington. He will assume his duties next week. For the past year, Shell has worked for the NFL on college relations issues, a job he will continue.

Under the collective-bargaining agreement between the league and the NFLPA, players can appeal fines or suspensions for on-field rules violations. Those appeals in the past would be heard by Tagliabue or a designee.

"The players were saying someone in New York who never played the game or understood the game (heard the appeals)," Upshaw said. "When we did the CBA extension, there was a place for this person."

Upshaw said such people as Don Shula and veteran Redskins cornerback Darrell Green were discussed for the job before Shell was offered the position.

"We said, "Okay, here is a former player and a head coach who is in the Hall of Fame and he has all the attributes,"' Upshaw said. "His being respected is a key, and Art is very levelheaded. To him, the facts are what the facts are. He can be a fair arbitrator."

BEARS: Quarterback Chris Chandler was named starter for the second straight week after trainers ruled out Jim Miller, who has tendinitis in his throwing shoulder and elbow. He practiced with the first team Wednesday, but the injury flared up. He likely will serve as backup Sunday against Minnesota.

Chandler, who went 16-of-25 for 163 yards, a touchdown and an interception in a loss to Detroit Sunday, took all the first-team snaps in practice. A sore left thumb prevented him from taking snaps earlier in the week, but Chandler said the injury is fine.

CHARGERS: Strong safety Rodney Harrison was suspended without pay for one game for his third serious rules violation in two seasons, a helmet-to-helmet hit on Oakland's Jerry Rice on Sunday.

The Chargers plan to appeal. If the appeal is denied, the Pro Bowl player stands to lose $111,764 -- 1/17th of his base pay, which is listed as $1.9-million on the players association's Web site.

Harrison, who's been fined about $100,000 for various hits during his nine-year career, refused comment as he left the Chargers complex after practice. Later, he issued this statement through the team: "I'm disappointed, but once we go through the appeal process, I'm confident it will be overturned."

49ERS: Receivers Terrell Owens and J.J. Stokes practiced, but tight end Eric Johnson missed workouts with a back injury that could sideline him this weekend.

GIANTS: Rookie tight end Jeremy Shockey aggravated a foot injury late in practice and sat out the last part of the workout. He was listed as questionable for Monday night's game and the team signed former Bucs tight end John Waerig to the practice squad.

PANTHERS: Linebackers Dan Morgan and Mark Fields returned to practice, but rookie running back DeShaun Foster suffered another setback.

Foster (knee) has not played this season. The team had hoped he would make his season debut against Tampa Bay, but Foster was downgraded to doubtful and left practice to have another exam.

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