TXGSP

No Suprise here......

Heir GoofDell has released a statement as well

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/81...ts-bounty-case

The NFL has upheld its player discipline in the New Orleans Saints' bounty case.


Saints Bounty Scandal
An NFL investigation found that the New Orleans Saints operated a bounty system rewarding between 22 and 27 players for hard hits and injuring opposing players. Profile »

New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive end Will Smith and former Saints Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita appealed their league suspensions earlier this month.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday that none of the players provided evidence to contradict the league's findings of a three-year pay-for-injury system orchestrated by former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

"Although you claimed to have been 'wrongfully accused with insufficient evidence,' your lawyers elected not to ask a single question of the principal investigators, both of whom were present at the hearing (as your lawyers had requested); you elected not to testify or to make any substantive statement, written or oral, in support of your appeal; you elected not to call a single witness to support your appeal; and you elected not to introduce a single exhibit addressing the merits of your appeal," Goodell said of the players' appeal hearings in a statement. "Instead, your lawyers raised a series of jurisdictional and procedural objections that generally ignore the CBA, in particular its provisions governing 'conduct detrimental' determinations&"

Vilma has been suspended for the entire 2012 season; Hargrove for the first eight games; Smith for four games; Fujita for three games.

An Optimist sees the big picture and views obstacles as temporary hurdles

Rugby Saint II

Damn. I just knew we were going to be vindicated after all this crap.......Oh, wait.............That's all......just wait.

TXGSP

I felt the suspensions would be upheld, especially with the current language of the CBA. The players will probably have to deal with this for the remaining term of the agreement.

The only way the league may agree to alter the terms (for suspensions & appeals) is an agreement to increase the number of regular season games to 18.

Seer1

Well of course he does was my first reaction as well. Thinking about it though, those guys really did give the Kommish a way out by not following the proceedures. I think they would've backed his asshatedness into much more of a corner had they done the meet and greet thing with him. Then sued the scowl right off his face.

Halo

I still think the facts of how the "proceedings" leading to the decision are still in question. The NFL spread rumors in the media that the players never responded to their investigation, the players said publicly they were never asked to meet with the NFL.

Goodell says no one called witnesses, but neither Gregg Williams nor Sean Payton are allowed to be involved or they face further repercussions from the league.

Goodell says no one presented any evidence in the appeals, but the NFL NEVER fully presented any evidence to the players UNTIL THE APPEAL, and were late at that doing it the day of the appeal.

Best part is in a court of law Goodell will be on trial along with is big fat fugly mouth!!! In fact, this "memo" from Goodell is another power play. He didn't just say the players were denied, he has to go ALL OUT in the media to slam them.

I wonder how much money Vilma will get out of this?

Oh and I'm sorry poor New York lovin haters of the evil Bountygate.... but Vilma will have an injunction to play this season. I guess it's DOUBLE DOWN here BABY!

TheEnigma

That's funny, neither did you, Roger.

TXGSP

NFLPA Statement on the ruling today...

NFLPA Statement on Commissioner Goodell's Ruling
{ The NFL Players Association issues a statement on the ruling by Roger Goodell regarding the pay-to-injure program. }
Author: NFL Players Association

July 3, 2012

NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON TODAY’S RULING

“The players are disappointed with the League’s conduct during this process. We reiterate our concerns about the lack of fair due process, lack of integrity of the investigation and lack of the jurisdictional authority to impose discipline under the collective bargaining agreement. Moreover, the Commissioner took actions during this process that rendered it impossible for him to be an impartial arbitrator.

The NFLPA has never and will never condone dangerous or reckless conduct in football and to date, nothing the League has provided proves these players were participants in a pay-to-injure program. We will continue to pursue all options.”

# # #

They should pursue all options, every player in the league is subject to the same process. The NFLCA (Coaches Association) should get involved as well.

Noone knows what/who is next.

An Optimist sees the big picture and views obstacles as temporary hurdles

saintfan

The players were wise to stay quiet because they can only hope to get it out of Roger's kangaroo court. Roger knows it. He can't back down and he never intended too. This is where this thing was going almost from the beginning, and it's entirely due to the way Roger has chosen to approach it.

I sure hope they hand him his ass in a spoon with it's all said and done.

Halo

Just as Goodell exercised his right to make a public spectacle of these players without any evidence to back it up, I think the players push back has made a public spectacle and mockery of Goodell and their Kangaroo Court of the NFL judicial process.

Regardless of how anyone feels about the accusations, the public opinions of the NFL kangaroo courts makes 9 in 10 Americans feel they could get better due process in Mexico or Costa Rica.

The damage has been done to the image of the NFL and Roger Goodell. Going forward, the more he squeezes his fingers around players, the more they will slip through the cracks.

OH AND BY THE WAY, Vilma is only the FIRST player to sue Goodell, be prepared for EVERY snap decision Goodell makes to go to trial.... quite the deterrent I would think.

OldMaid

What a mess.

It needs to be over now. NFL and Goodell should release all proof, evidence, and person's name , esp. the person's name who brought to this the NFL and Goodells' attention.
Coach Sp , and the other guys' names are out there, well, that name of the "Goodell pet" needs to be released and dragged through.

Vilma and others, stop the lawsuits, and everything and just let it go.
It is all such a distraction. It is taking away from the good of the team at this point. This is July and this thing still drags on. I get how they feel, but ,hey, sometimes you ahve to take it for te good of the whole. The whole team is being draged through if Vilma and others keep pushing, I don't anything good, only worst things coming fporht in a federal lawsuit...under oath.....long dragged out mess.
I don't want to see the Saints playing in August, which is preseason next month, and commentators taking about this.
I am sick of it now.
Whatever is my attitude. Enough!
The spy case with the Patirots just disappeared.
Other teams got out of any bounty trouble.
I get all of that.
Life is unfair at times...other teams ...I get all of that. It is still time to move on.
Whatever. You did x and Saints got caught and some disgruntled, angry, ex staff member took out some revenge on the Saints.That particular man , his name should be out there and you know, no NFL team will touch him. No one wants someone on staff who is not trustworthy .
That bothers me that this "Goodell pet" is now on staff at some other NFL team, no doubt.
Who is he? His name needs to be out there.