Saints caught running "bounty" program that awarded injuring players

[Balt]

OH, I read why it was overturned--didn't realize that this could go further if they get taken under oath (yeah right!), so that's one thing.

Still, as it stands, all this ruling now shows is that these players were not punished for doing what they did, which absolutely sends the wrong message for the league. I don't give a rats ass that this is done everywhere, most likely--but someone has to take the fall, right? that's the important thing.


(I would be equally incensed if my Redskins had been caught doing this, and demand the same "justice." ...of course, one can imagine some possible fallout from such a scenario--Snyder jumping ship! Ohhh, one can only hope. :\)

You are already taking for granted that the players are guilty of everything that they were accused of. The problem with that is that the credibility of all of the evidence that Goodell allegedly used to levy his very harsh punishment has been called into question. And since he won't actually make it publicly available, despite being sued for defamation by Vilma, that doesn't help his case very much.

NFL players do not have a long shelf life, generally speaking. You shouldn't suspend someone and threaten their livelihood unless you're ready to back up the punishment with full disclosure.

Personally, I think he used these players and the Saints' coaches as scapegoats to show that he was 'getting tough' and serious about player injuries. It just happened to coincide with former players filing lawsuits saying that the NFL didn't do enough to protect them from head injuries. What a coincidence.

I won't claim that they are all completely innocent, but I certainly think they've been made scapegoats.

 

[darrontrask]

Actually the ruling was that Goodell did not have jurisdiction to suspend the player for possible salary cap violations but he clearly had jurisdicition to be judge jury and executioner for violations of conduct detrimental to the league.

The panel ruled that there was no clear distinction of why they were suspended, salary cap or conduct, so the suspensions were overturned.

The players should celebrate and egt the games in now because all this does is delay the inevitable and give the league and Goodell a clean slate to prove the charges again and as we all know Roger does not like to be wrong, so now I wouldn't be suprised if the suspensions get longer and Vilma is permantaly banned.

All along I suspected that the league only released so much evidence so that if the dumb fucks would have met with him he would have reduced the punishment. Roger is also know to do this when a player has come to NY to face the music and state their case, but they all refused at the direction of the NFLPA.

This is far from over and for Vilma, who is injured and can't play anyway it really does nothing. Really this is do over for the NFL and this time because of the lawsuits I fully expect more evidence to be released and this time the punishments to be far more severe.

Lets not forget the Judge Berrigan stated the paying for injuries even on clean legal hits constitutes a "bounty" of sorts.

They are guilty. They should be men and face the music but they refused and hopefully it only goes to punish them more severely very shortly.

Hopefully this doesn't blow up the whole CBA.