It won't do them any good, but they SHOULD appeal on principle alone. This is still America last time I checked.

Yep, I don't understand the level of animosity either, other then much of it being fueled by the media and people always like to kick you when you're down. If Goodell can arbitrarily punish the Saints without showing his cards, he can do it to the rest of the league as well.

I can't think of any scenario where releasing all the information could make the situation any worse. Worst case scenario; there's hard facts that convince the Player's Union that all that was reported is true, and the media has a day of "no surprise" articles. Whatever; everyone already thinks we're guilty, at least we know the truth and move on.

However; if all they have is one disgruntled ex-Saint throwing around words like "cart off" and "knockout" and saying he heard Vilma one time in the locker room put a bounty on Favre for $10,000, then I think we come out looking a little better. Unless there's video, audio, or emails using phrases like "knockout" or "cart off" I think the Player's Union has a good case to attack Goodell's credibility. It's very hard to suspend or fine players based on what one person said to the commissioner. I also think that the NFL has played their best cards and the rest of their "proof" is all one person's account of everything that happened.

And they should appeal. As should the players. Show me the ledger, show me the audio, video of a deal going down. Isn't that what our justice system requires to arrest, convict and sentence?

Present ALL of the evidence.

Justice system yes, however there are no criminal charges involved and in civil lawsuits only a preponderance of evidence is needed to 'convict' or issue guilt upon a party.

Also worth noting this is not a court case of any kind. Goodell has all the power and even appeals will go to him. Doesn't sound fair because it isn't.

Yeah, I know. I meant it more as a reflection of what "should" happen.

Oh no!

Bad words and punishments have been dished out. So really it cannot get worse. Spill the beans, all of it. And the we can we can understand the mess and wipe it up if we wish.

Transparency

All very true, but if I'm anyone being associated with all this, and what the NFL is stating isn't accurate - isn't provable - whether they punish me or not - I want that known. I want it known that they have no real evidence...just because...

'Timay - Please report to the "Defend Your Handle" thread on the Welcome Wagon!

Alaska