RockyMountainSaint

There is the chance that all parties -- the Saints, coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant head coach Joe Vitt -- could have their appeals heard Thursday, a source said.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who suspended Payton for the season, Loomis for eight games, Vitt for six; fined the Saints $500,000 and docked them two second-round picks, will hear -- and rule -- on the appeals. Goodell said he hoped to expedite the process and there is little thought any discipline would be reduced, however the appeals process could buy all parties more time to chart their futures while punishment is being administered.

The NFL has yet to rule on the 22-27 players cited in the bounty scandal but discipline could also be meted out in the near future. NFL security and league officials met with representatives from the NFL Players Association on Monday to go over evidence.

Goodell said he hopes to get a recommendation from NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith regarding player discipline before ruling. However, NFLPA sources said Smith might not offer counsel on punishment.

Goodell has sole authority to punish players.

NFL.com news: Some of 'bounty' appeals will be heard by Goodell on Thursday

I'm no one.
Who are you?

|Mitch|

uh oh!

UK_WhoDat

Transcript of appeal.

Goodell: "Next"
(Before anyone else can open their mouth)
Goodell: "There's the exit door right there. Please remember to sign out"

Beastmode

And this is the fundamental issue. He's the investigator, sherriff, and judge. Then serves as judge again during an appeal. Entirely too much power for one person under any system of justice. The owners and NFLPA should have a vote at least during an appeal and they should have access to all pertinent information.

RockyMountainSaint

QBREES9

Thank you for coming ................................. Don't let the door hit on the way out. Loomis get Drew signed.

73Saint

Why didn't this get changed in the recent CBA? Do the owners and NFLPA have that much faith in Goodell? Or was it more of a 'Pick your battles' deal? Just makes me wonder, you would think that would have been changed in the CBA.

Rugby Saint II

Good God.......Goodel

Beastmode

I'm assuming that it was not really on the table since most sentences have been more than lenient over the years. In fact they did more to cover incidents up than anything else. You'll have a hard time finding good info when the 49ers cheated the cap and the Pats evidence was all destroyed. How long were they conducting illegal activity? Nobody really knows.