(08-16-2017, 10:50 AM)Pape Wrote:

(08-12-2017, 07:07 PM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: It's not that the league doesn't need evidence, it's that they don't need undisputed proof like the D.A. did in order to prosecute. Unlike the legal system, the NFL can use the circumstantial evidence that they collected to form an opinion. They don't hold themselves to the same standards that the prosecutors office is held to. I'm fine with that. Most of the time, where there's smoke, there's fire. It's about time for these guys to start getting punished.

The problem with the way the League Office handles things is that half the time they react based on public opinion. They make arbitrary decisions and their punishments are basically based on how much a certain topic has resonated with the public.

Two parallel cases, two completely different outcomes:
Ezekiel Elliot gets 6 games for a dv violation
Josh Brown, the Giants kicker, gets 1 game

Where is the consistency?

The NFL is suspending these players, who often face large financial penalties as a result. The League owes it to the players to investigate fully and not to make such impactful decisions based on hearsay and/or circumstantial evidence.  The League has a duty to be better than that. They shouldn't base disciplinary decisions on which ever way the wind is blowing, its not fair to the players or the fans.

There isn't any.
And Goodell has proven he doesn't need to rule with any. The current CBA gives him almighty power.

Ray Rice was a debacle that almost cost him his 40 million a year gig. (Holy more than QB money batman)
Josh Brown was another screw up that Goodell dodged because the Giants took a lot of heat off the shield by screwing up even more (extending him after the fact of DV)
However... Hardy and Peterson both got heavy suspensions for their violent incidents...

Seemingly the more the public knows and the bigger the star... the bigger the slap... on the wrist, as it were...
But I suspect, from here out... any and all DV incidents will be dealt with a heavy hand. And whether there is a lot of proof (video?) or just a lot of smoke (Zeke had a year of accusations and issues) the NFL will bring the hammer.


I wouldn't expect anything to really change as far as punishments go... until the new CBA relinquishes some of Roger's power as Judge, Jury, & Executioner.

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