WhoDat!656

On Friday, NFL general counsel Jeff Pash tried to drive a wedge within the NFLPA rank-and-file, calling out the union for defending Saints players believed to have been involved in the bounty program at the expense of the players who were targeted by the bounties.

So why did Pash commit an arguable breach in etiquette by complaining publicly about the NFLPA, when it simply is exercising its duty to defend the players accused of participating in the bounty program?

As we understand it, the NFL has become frustrated with the union’s tactics. In addition to the obvious argument that there’s no clear link between bounties and the intentional infliction of injuries (Brett Favre’s purple leg may suggest otherwise), the NFLPA is pushing the argument, we’re told, that the players were coerced by their coaches into funding the pay-for-performance/bounty pool — and into participating in the process of paying out the money.

Taking the element of coercion to the next level, the NFLPA also is arguing, we’re told, that the players were coerced into lying to investigators about the existence of a pay-for-performance/bounty pool.

True or not, the NFL doesn’t but it. And the delayed imposition of discipline against the Saints players has resulted in part from the fact that these arguments have forced NFL Security to engage in additional interviews to explore and/or knock down the coercion defense.

It’s unclear when the process will end. Eventually, if/when discipline is imposed, the players will have appeal rights.

As previously explained, the question eventually will become whether the penalties arise from on-field conduct or off-field behavior. The former entails an independent review process; for the latter, the league once again will serve as judge, jury, executioner, and appeals court.


NFL frustrated by NFLPA

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

|Mitch|

In other words; Roger is mad that he can't rashly and harshly punish the players and get away with it...

halloween 65

Good! I'm mad at the NFL, they are the ones dragging this bull out.

Seer1

Then when the FTNFL got frustrated, they then sent their mouthpiece Pash out to start another trial by media. Next out of the box for round two'll be King and another convenient audio tape by Pamphilon.

Ashley

Screw roger and the NFL. This whole thing is total b.s.

NOLA54

Jeff Pash is using this tactic to divide the players & the union. It's an old trick used over & over again. I hope it doesn't work this time.

saintfan

Good job Smith! Fine job sir. Keep up the good work.

I, for one, question the 'evidence' the league says it has. I've been hoping all along that the NFLPA would bow up and force the league's hand, and maybe that's what is happening?

I absolutely love it. Eat a turd Roger...

FinSaint

I'm not buying the coercion, at least that the players were coerced into participating in the PFP program, because that would somewhat defeat the purpose of having the said program.

Whatever the final conclusion to this drama will be, I just hope that they'll be able to reach it as quickly as possible, because the Saints can't really move forward before that happens.

And these further interviews by the NFL Security will only cause more diversions to the staff and players, taking away from their off-season preparations for the coming season.

SloMotion

Good for the NLFPA, if the whole thing hadn't of been conducted behind closed doors and tried publicly in the media, there wouldn't be a need for the NFLPA to raise these issues ... it's the 'union', that's what they do ... protect the rank-and-file, bet.

CheramieIII

Roger needs to shut up. The coaches and team were fined enough for everyone who has ever committed pay for play. Don't they get paid to beat the crap out of each other anyway, what's wrong with a little freakin bonus when they already get a mill or 2.