NFLPA disappointed with “lack of integrity of the investigation”

[SeLuSaint]

Link:NFLPA disappointed with

“The players are disappointed with the League’s conduct during this process,” the statement said. “We reiterate our concerns about the lack of fair due process, lack of integrity of the investigation and lack of the jurisdictional authority to impose discipline under the collective bargaining agreement. Moreover, the Commissioner took actions during this process that rendered it impossible for him to be an impartial arbitrator.

[saintsfan26]

Real the feces is getting!

[billinms]

Maybe the NFLPA shouldn't have let Goodell have almost God-like power in disciplining the players.

[SeLuSaint]

Originally Posted by billinms

Maybe the NFLPA shouldn't have let Goodell have almost God-like power in disciplining the players.

Yea they kind of messed up with that during new CBA talks.

[cdogg]

It was all about the Benjamins to the NFLPA.

[bornnraisedwhodat]

Originally Posted by billinms

Maybe the NFLPA shouldn't have let Goodell have almost God-like power in disciplining the players.

I see this posted and stated a lot in the media. But I seem to remember just about everyone during this time last year saying "just get a damn deal done!!"

Not to mention, for the players to make discipline a huge sticking point would have further prolonged the lockout and cost the 1900 so players in the union pay checks. Goodell held onto that power with a clutched fist. Funny thing is these powers have always existed in the commissioners office, the only reason its a big deal now is because Goodell is a power hungry dictator.

[Expatriate]

It would suck for fans, but what if the players decided to not really play as a way of protest? Show up for the games, but just walk through it. That way they get paid, but the NFL looks bad. Networks would be livid and demand instant action, but short of cutting all players and then hoping another team doesn't pick them up, what would a team do?

I know it will never happen, but the look on Roger's face would be classic.

[FWtex]

Originally Posted by Expatriate

It would suck for fans, but what if the players decided to not really play as a way of protest? Show up for the games, but just walk through it. That way they get paid, but the NFL looks bad. Networks would be livid and demand instant action, but short of cutting all players and then hoping another team doesn't pick them up, what would a team do?

I know it will never happen, but the look on Roger's face would be classic.

I guarantee a change to the CBA would be made before the next weeks games. It would be a great way to strike and show Goodell who really has the power. Afterall, goodell is about less contact, right.

[SaintItSweet]

Originally Posted by FWtex

I guarantee a change to the CBA would be made before the next weeks games. It would be a great way to strike and show Goodell who really has the power. Afterall, goodell is about less contact, right.

The players are not that united.

[jayd265]

Originally Posted by SaintItSweet

The players are not that united.

this... players still want to win.

[doctorj]

"Lack of integrity" says it all. I know my Saints players have integrity. They have shown it in their actions too many times to count. Corporate NFL? Zero in the Goodell years. Absolutely ZERO!

[guidomerkinsrules]

Originally Posted by bornnraisedwhodat

I see this posted and stated a lot in the media. But I seem to remember just about everyone during this time last year saying "just get a damn deal done!!"

Not to mention, for the players to make discipline a huge sticking point would have further prolonged the lockout and cost the 1900 so players in the union pay checks. Goodell held onto that power with a clutched fist. Funny thing is these powers have always existed in the commissioners office, the only reason its a big deal now is because Goodell is a power hungry dictator.

this can't be said often enough nor loud enough
this was a hill the owners were willing to die on and the players would have been pilloried by the press and fans if they had made a sticking point of this

instead of harping on this "well this is what the players negotiated" the narrative needs to be - "yes the players negotiated this b/c no one could foresee that goodell would abuse this power to this degree"

edit:
also, what florio said:

Many will be inclined to fault the players and the NFLPA for taking this approach, arguing that the players should accept the process for which their union bargained under the CBA. But they bargained for a fair and impartial process; if they didn’t get it, they have every right to fight the suspensions on that basis.

[Flipx99]

If I recall correctly, what was on everyone's minds at the time was Big Ben's rape allegations and maybe a couple of other off the field allegations against players where the criminal charges were not going to stick, and yet everyone believed the guys were guilty. The idea, I think, was that Goodell should be able to act, even if prosecutors could not.

I guess we (the public) should learn a lesson about the dangers of giving away absolute power with the idea that it will only be used against "bad guys."

[Professor]

Originally Posted by Flipx99

If I recall correctly, what was on everyone's minds at the time was Big Ben's rape allegations and maybe a couple of other off the field allegations against players where the criminal charges were not going to stick, and yet everyone believed the guys were guilty. The idea, I think, was that Goodell should be able to act, even if prosecutors could not.

NFL Radio's Moving the Chains afternoon show had Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan talking about this last week. They talked about how the players felt this would involve cut-and-dried situations where the player was obviously guilty of wrongdoing. This was about DUI's and drug busts, not seemingly fabricated evidence. Nobody foresaw this situation, and frankly, I would not have believed it had I not seen it for myself. If it is true that Cerullo recanted to Goodell in April, then this becomes a witch-hunt. I can just see Goodell saying, "I've already suspended the coaches. No turning back now!"

[mt15]

Professor, so have Tim and Pat changed their tune about the suspensions? Last I heard was after the meeting in NY where the NFL showed their "evidence" to the press and Pat was pretty supportive of the NFL. I was a little disappointed in him. Haven't heard him speak of it since, but I don't get to listen very often.