WhoDat!656

The two current Saints who face bounty-related suspensions are not present. Per Breer, linebacker Jonathan Vilma decided to remain with the team for offseason workouts. (It’s unknown why Smith didn’t attend.)

Their absence doesn’t mean they don’t care. Given that Vilma and Smith play for the team that was hit hardest by the penalties, it makes sense for them to choose to stay at the workouts over attending the grievance hearing. They already believe they’re facing unwarranted suspensions; why make it worse by missing the limited opportunities in the offseason to get ready for the regular season?

Hargrove, Fujita present at grievance hearing | ProFootballTalk

"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."

TheOak

Well it also takes the passion and accidental outbursts out of the hearing.

I know for sure I would develop turrets during that hearing.

SloMotion

... and then he goes on to say, "Their absence doesn’t mean they don’t care" & "it makes sense for them to choose to stay at the workouts over attending the grievance hearing." ... I don't get it, which one is it? It's not like Florio to ride the fence on this issue ... and in what former life did Florio ever advise clients? I thought he was a butt-pirate/cabin boy for the HMS Bounty before this ... if they weren't there, I'd assume it was because they (Vilma/Smith) had something bigger & better planned then just appealing to Lord Goodell ... my 'Florio' rant is done, you may now return to your regularly scheduled programming ...

Tobias-Reiper

???

Rugby Saint II

Now that's funny!!!

TheOak

Damn iPhone auto complete.... That will teach me to make a funny using Tapatalk.

Tourette's

SloMotion

... I was thinking Iowa-class battleship style, myself ... as in the USS Missouri (BB-63), ... but I did find Tourette's referred to as "Turret's" online, so I guess it's one of those you say 'tomates', I say 'tomatos' kind of words, eh? Would have been one hell of an appeal with the players bringing those bad boys to the hearing, .

SaintsBro

This actually makes prefect sense.

Hargrove is so turned around and vulnerable, twisting in the wind, he doesn't know what to do. At this point he'll do or say anything, to anyone, just to keep being able to play football. Fujita is hopping mad and he is an officer of the NFLPA and is also concerned about his life after football. This was ONLY the first hearing, to appeal whether Goodell has the power to punish players for the so-called bounty program, since it occurred prior to the current labor agreement signed last August. Since he is with the NFLPA, the interpretation of the specific terms of the CBA is obviously very important to Fujita...and since he's always been a bit of a trainwreck, Anthony Hargrove is obviously very keenly interested in being "excused" or not able to be punished for anything else he might have done prior to the labor agreement.

I am sure their lawyers advised them what to do on this.

TheOak

Basically this hearing is to decide "if" Goodell can punish for actions before the 2011 CBA.

Makes sense that Hargrove and Fujita would be present, if the verdict is no they they are free and clear.

Next step would be to see if any of that evidence dates during the 2011 season, that will directly effect Smith, and Vilma only...

Halo

I think to get this OUT of the hands of His Lordship Goodell, the NFLPA decided it was best to send players to the hearing who were not involved with the Saints last season because the Saints were considered "still in the bounty business" last season.

These guys were accused of actions before the current NFLPA-NFL agreement. If they send these 2 to appeal away from Goodell, so to will Vilma and Smith.

Smart strategy.