PFT: Goodell urges players to meet with him, could reduce suspensions

[JBSaint]

We all know that Goodell is an arrogant man and he is basically ticked that the players did not simply feed his ego, come to him on bended knees and not have this play out in the public and courts. I agree with an earlier post about the oil company/gas price fixing in that Goodell will likely reduce the suspensions, but it is horrendous that the players have to suck up to him.

[Expatriate]

Originally Posted by Broadmoor74

So in essence:

Goodell: "I have ruled. I have reviewed my ruling and I stand by my ruling. Now you may kneel before me and, if you sufficiently admit to everyone that you did not do what I say you did, I may change my ruling that I have already reviewed."

Fixt

[coldseat]

Ya, uh hu. Hargrove trusted you Goodell and gave you a declaration of what happened. For his trouble, not only he have it misrepresented but he also got an 8 game suspension. That inspires a lot of trust in the system Roger, the players have no reason not to trust you.

/sarcasmoff

[Mudbug67]

Originally Posted by 2009ring

If Roger Goodell being publicly humiliated and resigned/fired in shame meant that the Falcons had to win the Super Bowl this year, it would be a tough call, but I might be convinced to go for it.

Let's not get carried away. Think this through. The refs couldn't even help Maty Ice that much with RG blessings. Besides the problem with that kind of sandwich is once you eat it the taste would never go away.
(Mods... I hope I haven't crossed the line again. If so, I stand edited... Again)
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[Flipx99]

I would love it Hargrove showed up and his attorney asked him to stand, and the asked Goodell to come over, look AH in the eyes, and explain exactly why he is suspended.

Of course Goodell would never do that, but if he did he would have to say "because you lied in your interview in 2010." But how does that make sense? Vitt was also interviewed, he received 6 games and the player gets 8?

I am not throwing Vitt under the bus here, but just pointing out how absurd the position is that the NFL is now being forced to take with respect to AH. All of the suspensions are whacked, but AH is the one that the NFL is really boxed into a corner with.

With the others, they have their double secret evidence that they refuse to disclose. But with AH, they thought they had the goods and showed their hand.

If they considered the evidence on AH a stone cold lock, imagine how crappy the evidence is that they want to keep hidden away.

[Brad01]

And the NFLPA urged to have them all meet with the coaches who were suspended as well as the accuser, yet the NFL denied.

Can't fairly cooperate when the NFL is only willing to hear one side of the story... especially one in which they villainized the team for months publicly before making the initial punishments or inviting the players in.

If I'm not mistaken, when a player tests positive on a drug test... the NFL and the players find out months (and often appeals are heard) before anyone in the media finds out. In this case, the media & public found out before the Saints coaches & players did.

[Mudbug67]

What if one of the players, say Will Smith accepted the offer to meet and asked to have the meeting recorded? Maybe even bring in another attorney, a neutral, like maybe...Florio... yuk, I can't believe I said that. But that would show willingness to meet and discuss and then put the PR burden back on RG.
Just a thought.
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[SeLuSaint]

It's a trap!

[bclemms]

Originally Posted by St. Aaron

The NFLPA hired a voice recognition expert to examine the film and he concluded that Hargrove didn't say what the league is accusing him of saying. That seems like pretty legit evidence.

True but Hargrove was suspended for lying about the bounty program, it never said anything in the release of the suspension about a video.

/sarcasm

[26ISTHEMAN]

Originally Posted by SeLuSaint

It's a trap!

It is undoubtedly a trap, and if the players fell for it, it would be the biggest mistake they make. Just imagine one or all of the players agreeing to meet with roger and they present their best defense to him. Afterwards, roger issues a press release that he heard everything the players had to say and that he is now more convinced than ever that the suspensions are justified.

There is zero chance at this point that roger will reduce the suspensions. The only hope now is that Vilma's suit is allowed to proceed, subpoenas are issued for the "evidence" and roger and his minions have to take the stand in federal court and answer questions under oath. That's when **** will get ubber real!

[Professor]

Goodell just doesn't want this going to court, where he would have to present all the evidence, including the exculpatory evidence, and coaches, both past (Cerullo and GW) and present would be forced to testify and tell the truth. If Cerullo did recant, the NFL and Goodell would end up looking like idiots, which in this case they are. If GW and Payton say it was clear that saying anything to anyone about this would only increase their punishments--not a gag order, but what is tantamount to one--Goodell will come off as the all-powerful bully he is.

Yep, this is about ending this without having to go to a REAL court.

[MJ in Calif]

Why didn't he do this before he tried this whole thing in the media? He could have approached the NFLPA reps in private and asked for their help, but nooooo. He had to go straight to ESPN and the NFLN. He is beyond contempt as far as I'm concerned.

[birdog]

Originally Posted by Professor

Goodell just doesn't want this going to court, where he would have to present all the evidence, including the exculpatory evidence, and coaches, both past (Cerullo and GW) and present would be forced to testify and tell the truth. If Cerullo did recant, the NFL and Goodell would end up looking like idiots, which in this case they are. If GW and Payton say it was clear that saying anything to anyone about this would only increase their punishments--not a gag order, but what is tantamount to one--Goodell will come off as the all-powerful bully he is.

Yep, this is about ending this without having to go to a REAL court.

Oh, I disagree here, professor.....this isn't about not wanting to go to court...this is nothing more than humiliate the players even more! Sure he's willing to listen to them.....then he will upheld his decision....

At this point Goodell lost all his credibility. Going back to him is like the dog returning to his own vomit.....it ain't happening!

[VPCajun]

So, basically, Goddell will play the role of Lucy and the players will take turn playing Charlie Brown.

He *promises* he won't yank the ball away THIS TIME!

.

[Saintgadi]

Originally Posted by Flipx99

Finally, Junior Gallete will be the arbitrator on whether you are telling the truth. But don't worry, if you need to appeal you can see Junior again in two weeks.

I laughed out loud so hard at this comment and I keep laughing every time I think of it. Junior Gallete. Classic.