Speaking after testifying before a House subcommittee yesterday about a legal case involving two Vikings players, Goodell told the Associated Press he would be present for today’s talks in New York about a new collective bargaining agreement.

Goodell has not attended all of the sessions the league and union have held so far.

The NFL opted out of the collective bargaining agreement last year, although the contract won’t expire until after the 2010 season. That season will not have a salary cap under the current CBA, and Smith has said he hopes to have an agreement before then.

The old contract was negotiated in 2006 by then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue and then-union head Gene Upshaw, who died last year.

These guys are accustomed to losses.

Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas hardly knew Kokinis, who was hired in January and left the club under unexplained circumstances Monday.

“He wasn’t around too much, and when he was, he was pretty quiet,’’ Thomas said.

Everyone inside team headquarters at 76 Lou Groza Blvd. was pretty quiet yesterday. The Browns, who have a bye this week, went about their business as rumors swirled about Kokinis, the events that led up to his departure and who - or if - anyone will replace him.

Browns coach Eric Mangini offered no details about the decision to move on without his friend and hand-picked GM.

“Any time a decision like this is made, it is difficult personally and professionally,’’ Mangini said. “George is a friend of mine and I respect him and I wish his family well. I can tell you that for a variety of reasons things didn’t work out. You never go into a situation like this with the intention of it not working out.

“We felt that, organizationally, this was the best decision in order to move forward.’’

It’s still not known if Kokinis was fired or forced out by the Browns, who are 1-7 and have been overmatched in most of their games.

There are reports that Kokinis was asked to resign by owner Randy Lerner, who pressed the former GM and sought to dismiss him “for cause.’’