How does the knife feel in the back, Goodell?
The former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliablue was appointed to hear the 2nd round of appeals from the suspended Saints players. Despite the players initially opposing the appointment, it turned out to work for them. While Tagliablue said that the players participated in the performance pool and should be fined for those actions, he overturned the suspensions putting the blame on the coaching staff with part of the release saying "My affirmation of Commissioner Goodell's findings could certainly
justify the issuance of fines. However, this entire case has been
contaminated by the coaches and others in the Saints' organization."
It looks like the iron fist of Roger Goodell has been stopped in this case which was perhaps the most unlikely thing to happen. The players, especially Jonathan Vilma, score a huge victory. The league is left looking vulnerable and NFL players might be able to challenge the league on several other issues going forward.
P.S. I guess there is fairness in the NFL... under the old commissioner.
Showing posts with label Jonathan Vilma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jonathan Vilma. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Bounty Gate Suspensions Overturned? For Now?
Two days after the kickoff game to the 2012 NFL season, the Bounty Gate story reemerges once more but this time in favor of the players.
An appeals panel hearing the suspended players case made a ruling in favor of the players. It ruled that Commissioner Roger Goodell overstepped his authority in hearing the appeals of the players related to Bounty Gate. They stated that Goodell doesn't have the authority for disciplining the players related to Bounty Gate and that task should be given to Special Master Stephen Burbank. They stated that Goodell does have the authority to punish the players if he can prove they intended to injure their opponents.
As for the suspensions Goodell has wrought, they were overturned by the panel. Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, and Scott Fujita (now on the Browns) can rejoin their teams and Anthony Hargrove (free agent) can sign and play with a team immediately.
This a big victory for the players. They might still get punished by Goodell later on in some way or fashion but this victory over the NFL in court just proves that players can go an alternate route in order to get leverage over the NFL. I'm sure Roger Goodell is having a tantrum to have his rule and law overturned in any way.
It makes you wonder if Coaches Sean Peyton and Joe Vitt along with GM Mickey Loomis should appeal their case seeing how this turned out. Anyway, the story isn't over as a new chapter is beginning.
The next question you have to ask is whether or not any of these players will play Sunday. They might not but their victories in court will lift the Saints morale.
An appeals panel hearing the suspended players case made a ruling in favor of the players. It ruled that Commissioner Roger Goodell overstepped his authority in hearing the appeals of the players related to Bounty Gate. They stated that Goodell doesn't have the authority for disciplining the players related to Bounty Gate and that task should be given to Special Master Stephen Burbank. They stated that Goodell does have the authority to punish the players if he can prove they intended to injure their opponents.
As for the suspensions Goodell has wrought, they were overturned by the panel. Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, and Scott Fujita (now on the Browns) can rejoin their teams and Anthony Hargrove (free agent) can sign and play with a team immediately.
This a big victory for the players. They might still get punished by Goodell later on in some way or fashion but this victory over the NFL in court just proves that players can go an alternate route in order to get leverage over the NFL. I'm sure Roger Goodell is having a tantrum to have his rule and law overturned in any way.
It makes you wonder if Coaches Sean Peyton and Joe Vitt along with GM Mickey Loomis should appeal their case seeing how this turned out. Anyway, the story isn't over as a new chapter is beginning.
The next question you have to ask is whether or not any of these players will play Sunday. They might not but their victories in court will lift the Saints morale.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Year Long Suspension or 8 Games: Deal or No Deal, Vilma
Man, I thought that this whole Bounty Gate issue was past for the most part but it seems to have come up again thanks to the league.
Jonathan Vilma is in the midst of suing Roger Goodell for Defamation over Bounty Gate and getting suspended for his part in it allegedly. Vilma wants to clear his name and find out what the NFL has on him when it comes to this case. The NFL (Goodell) apparently doesn't want to go this route and wants to avoid the courtroom altogether. The league has offered as part of settlement package to reduce Vilma suspension from a year long to 8 games which means Vilma could play this year for the Saints. Vilma has to drop the Defamation lawsuit in order to get this.
Interesting that the league is trying to sweep this under the rug and move on. This can be seen as a sign of weakness. Maybe the league and it's pope (Goodell) are not infallible and can be challenged by the players through an alternate route (what a radical thought). That's definitely what this offer by the league is saying. Vilma hasn't accepted the offer, that we know of, and quite frankly I hope he doesn't take it. I want to see if the league really has anything against Vilma and if the evidence is just. Now again defamation lawsuits are very hard to win and I still don't like his odds but this case could show the players and the fans just what the NFL thinks is enough for punishment.
P.S. Thoughts and prayers to Andy Reid and his family.
Jonathan Vilma is in the midst of suing Roger Goodell for Defamation over Bounty Gate and getting suspended for his part in it allegedly. Vilma wants to clear his name and find out what the NFL has on him when it comes to this case. The NFL (Goodell) apparently doesn't want to go this route and wants to avoid the courtroom altogether. The league has offered as part of settlement package to reduce Vilma suspension from a year long to 8 games which means Vilma could play this year for the Saints. Vilma has to drop the Defamation lawsuit in order to get this.
Interesting that the league is trying to sweep this under the rug and move on. This can be seen as a sign of weakness. Maybe the league and it's pope (Goodell) are not infallible and can be challenged by the players through an alternate route (what a radical thought). That's definitely what this offer by the league is saying. Vilma hasn't accepted the offer, that we know of, and quite frankly I hope he doesn't take it. I want to see if the league really has anything against Vilma and if the evidence is just. Now again defamation lawsuits are very hard to win and I still don't like his odds but this case could show the players and the fans just what the NFL thinks is enough for punishment.
P.S. Thoughts and prayers to Andy Reid and his family.
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