Unleash that man

Bryant Gumbel apparently will keep his play-by-play gig with the NFL Network despite saying on his HBO show that Paul Tagliabue should show his successor as commissioner “where he keeps Gene Upshaw’s leash.�

Roger Goodell, who officially took over for Tagliabue last Friday, said he met with Gumbel to discuss his remarks about the Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association. Without disclosing the specifics of the conversation, Goodell said: “We had a good discussion. I feel comfortable and he will stay on.�

Gumbel had addressed his closing remarks on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel� on Aug. 15 to Goodell.

"Before he cleans out his office," Gumbel said, "have Paul Tagliabue show you where he keeps Gene Upshaw's leash. By making the docile head of the players union his personal pet, your predecessor has kept the peace without giving players the kind of guarantees other pros take for granted. Try to make sure no one competent ever replaces Upshaw on your watch."

An HBO spokesman said Gumbel was unavailable for comment.