Goodell says the two Los Angeles stadium projects look 'viable'

NEW YORK – Roger Goodell says the two stadium projects in the Los Angeles area look promising enough to lead to the return of the NFL to the nation's second-largest city.

The NFL commissioner told the Associated Press Sports Editors group Friday that he thinks the projects in Inglewood and Carson are "viable" and have a "great deal of potential to be successful."

"We had presentations earlier this week that are very exciting," Goodell said. "Not just for a return but to continue being successful going forward."

St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke is involved in the Inglewood project, while the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders have combined to work on the Carson proposal.

Goodell said there is some urgency in the matter. The league has not had a franchise in Los Angeles since 1994.

Indeed, the window for applying to move to LA, currently early January, could be moved up, he said. The owners would need to vote on any franchise transfer at next March's annual meeting.

He also noted that a move to Los Angeles "is not a new issue in any of these communities."

Members of a St. Louis stadium task force hoping to keep the Rams there met with league officials on Wednesday. The St. Louis group showed the NFL officials revised renderings and video of plans for a stadium along the Mississippi River that would cost around $1 billion.

The Tennessee Titans agreed on a one-year deal with receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Nicks, 27, caught 38 passes for 405 yards and four TDs with the Indianapolis Colts last year after playing five seasons with the New York Giants.

Dallas Cowboys backup defensive lineman Davon Coleman and defensive end Greg Hardy got into a heated argument following conditioning drills on Friday, but Coleman's agent said the story has been blown "significantly out of proportion."Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin said on his Twitter page, citing an unnamed source, that Coleman called Hardy "a woman beater."