The NFL's annual rookie symposium is an opportunity for the league to tell its newest players how to conduct themselves as professionals. But this year, it also became an opportunity for some new players to give NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a piece of their minds.

NFL Network showed Ravens rookie quarterback Troy Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State, quizzing Goodell about why he focuses on the negative things players do, although the league's official TV network didn't show Troy Smith telling Goodell, "You haven't answered my question."

And now Len Pasquarelli of ESPN.com reports in his (Insider) Tip Sheet that Bears rookie Garrett Wolfe and Redskins rookie Jordan Palmer (Carson's brother) "were far more pointed than Troy Smith in their comments" to Goodell. Pasquarelli says Wolfe asked why he should listen to Goodell when Goodell never played the game, and that Goodell answered the question diplomatically.

I admire the players who were willing to ask Goodell tough questions. Goodell deserves credit for the way he's trying to clean up the league's image, but the players have every right to question Goodell's actions. Good for Troy Smith, Wolfe and Palmer.

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