RockyMountainSaint

Goodell urges Saints to meet with him, could reduce suspensions | ProFootballTalk

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell continues to maintain that he has the full authority to decide on the suspensions of four Saints players for their roles in the team’s bounty program, but in his letter to the four players today, he provided at least a glimmer of hope that he could be persuaded to reduce those suspensions.

In the league’s announcement about Goodell upholding the suspensions of Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Packers defensive end Anthony Hargrove, Saints defensive end Will Smith and Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a portion of the letter from Goodell to the players indicates that the commissioner still wants to hear from the players and is committed to listening to what they have to say.

“While this decision constitutes my final and binding determination under the CBA, I of course retain the inherent authority to reduce a suspension should facts be brought to my attention warranting the exercise of that discretion,” Goodell wrote to the players. “The record confirms that each of you was given multiple chances to meet with me to present your side of the story. You are each still welcome to do so.”

For their part, the players seem to think meeting with Goodell would be futile, and they’d be better off going to court to obtain an injunction preventing the NFL from implementing their suspensions. Goodell may say his door is open and he’s ready to listen, but the players believe he has presided over an unfair investigation that he has no intention of opening his mind.


WHAT AN A-HOLE!

I'm no one.
Who are you?

RaginCajun83

I'm with the players, I don't believe a word that comes out of his mouth

Utah_Saint

I would venture to guess that the only way the players get a reduction in their suspensions would be if they signed pre approved confessions.

That way he comes across as both wise and merciful.

RockyMountainSaint

"I am kind."

Ashley

He is a dill-hole. what can we believe he says

Speedy Ron

F this guy man. i sure hope i run into him when he comes here. I would take an arrest to hit him in between his eyes with an egg or even crow hop punch him in the face and drop him

SmashMouth

He should meet those Saints in New Orleans at Championship Square in front of the fans....

papz

Commissioner Roger Goodell has upheld the "Bounty Scandal" suspensions of Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma, Saints DE Will Smith, Browns OLB Scott Fujita, and Packers DL Anthony Hargrove.

This was certainly not unexpected. An arbitrator ruled last month that Goodell retained the power to impose discipline on players involved in the scandal from 2009-2011. "None of you has offered any evidence that would warrant reconsideration of your suspensions," Goodell explained in a letter to the players. "Your lawyers raised a series of jurisdictional and procedural objections that generally ignore the CBA."

Mike Freeman on Twitter

Maybe now everyone can finally move on.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

SaintsBro

I dunno, I think there might be a little bit of an opening here.

Reading between the lines, I maybe get the feeling that Goodell kinda wants this thing to end. The more crap comes out about this, the worse Vilma and Fujita and their attorneys are making Goodell and his office look. And the thing about this snowballing situation is that it's not just about four measly Saints players - Goodell knows everyone is watching, and it affects his image with ALL the other players in the league, and the owners, which CAN ultimately affect his job security.

RaginCajun83

Good, I want this to cost Goodell his job