Brees backs up comments on player's trust issues with Goodell

Well-respected Saints quarterback Drew Brees told NFL Network on Wednesday that he was representing the league's consensus opinion earlier this week when he said nobody trusts NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

"I was asked a direct question: How do players in the league feel about the commissioner?'" Brees told Marshall Faulk of NFL Network. "I've talked to many, many players obviously. I'm on the executive committee of the Players Association. So I talk to a lot of the guys who are involved in the union, and certainly my teammates and others. And I think that there is a general feeling that the players don't trust the commissioner."

Brees said in the interview that he has a very honest relationship with Goodell and doesn't expect that to change.

"It just happens to be that the big topic or issue this offseason has been the bounty allegations," he said. "Unfortunately, my team, my organization, has been directly affected in a very negative way by those allegations. The process is still ongoing and I think that we've said and done as much as we can do to prove our innocence. I would say that we felt the process from the very beginning has not been fair. But I think if you really want to look at where we're at right now, it's not over. I think we believe the commissioner has a great opportunity to come to a positive resolution."

Brees submitted a sworn affidavit in support of suspended linebacker Jonathan Vilma, saying Vilma's absence would "have a significant impact on our team and within the community." The court document is part of Vilma's defamation lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order against Goodell, the motive of which is to have his yearlong suspension lifted.