NFLPA files suit in bounty matter

Attached Thumbnails · 07-05-2012, 10:02 AM

It started early this morning....

The NFL Players Association has filed a lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of three players suspended in connection with the league's bounty investigation.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Orleans on Thursday. It says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell violated the collective bargaining agreement by showing publicly he had determined Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita had participated in a bounty system even before serving as an arbitrator at their hearing.

The lawsuit asks a judge to set aside earlier arbitration rulings and order a new arbitrator to preside over the matter. The suit comes two days after Goodell denied appeals by four players. The other player, Jonathan Vilma, has sued the NFL and Goodell separately.

Vilma is suspended for a season, Hargrove for eight games, Smith four and Fujita three.

TheOak · 07-05-2012, 10:56 AM

Hummmm interesting angle.... I do not recall any verbiage that was violated..

burningmetal · 07-05-2012, 10:59 AM

The NFLPA really annoys me. This is about the 12th time they've tried to sue the NFL, and each time they use the most vague reasoning. I'm absolutely all for suing the league, but the NFLPA continuously fails to attack the weakest points of Goodell's arguments.

If you keep complaining about language in the CBA being misinterpreted and violated, you're gonna keep getting the same result. Nothing. It's been proven that no arbitrator wants to look at the CBA, as they have repeatedly sided with the commissioner. I've said it before and I'll say it again, every time they question whether Roger has jurisdiction it makes it seem like they're admitting guilt and hoping for a way around punishment.

The players themselves have been vehemently denying any involvement, and so the question is not whether he has jurisdiction, but rather does he have reason, or just cause to punish our team. I keep hearing Goodell, after each time he denies our appeals, saying "you haven't shown me any evidence to reverse my rulings". Huh? What exactly do you want them to show you, Roger? You have zero proof that the Saints ever tried to hurt anyone... That seems like evidence in favor of the players to me. You talk about some ledger of which no one knows it's origin, and not surprisingly there are no links between players on the ledger and any actual injury to said players.

This man is the perfect definition of a dictator.

Halo · 07-05-2012, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

If you keep complaining about language in the CBA being misinterpreted and violated, you're gonna keep getting the same result. Nothing. It's been proven that no arbitrator wants to look at the CBA, as they have repeatedly sided with the commissioner. I've said it before and I'll say it again, every time they question whether Roger has jurisdiction it makes it seem like they're admitting guilt and hoping for a way around punishment....

This man is the perfect definition of a dictator.

I totally agree with everything you said.
I think the NFLPA is in a MUST SUE situation to backup the players suing or about to sue.

The "unfairness" they are discussing is whether dictator Goodell who handed down the punishment should have stepped back and allowed other arbitrators to work on the appeal.

And they are correct, it's almost like players careers are in the hands of a school principle dictator in Goodell.

All we know is this.... the flood gates of litigation have been opened by ROGER GOODELL and he has only one person to blame and that's himself!!!!

Bad for football?? Yes, horrible.

Who is to blame? Don't blame Vilma! Look no further than Goodell. Tough job or not he needs to give players and coaches a fair shake, which he is not doing.

SmashMouth · 07-05-2012, 11:21 AM

Sucks to be Goodell right now!

burningmetal · 07-05-2012, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Halo

I totally agree with everything you said.
I think the NFLPA is in a MUST SUE situation to backup the players suing or about to sue.

The "unfairness" they are discussing is whether dictator Goodell who handed down the punishment should have stepped back and allowed other arbitrators to work on the appeal.

And they are correct, it's almost like players careers are in the hands of a school principle dictator in Goodell.

All we know is this.... the flood gates of litigation have been opened by ROGER GOODELL and he has only one person to blame and that's himself!!!!

Bad for football?? Yes, horrible.

Who is to blame? Don't blame Vilma! Look no further than Goodell. Tough job or not he needs to give players and coaches a fair shake, which he is not doing.

Oh yeah, definitely. He absolutely should step back and allow an unbiased set of eyes and ears look at it. But it seems like the NFLPA has tried this before, with no success. I want the NFLPA to really attack him in court and call him out for all the loose "documents" he keeps throwing around that, for one, nobody ever seems to know where they came from, and secondly, don't show anything but names and holds no proof of any wrong doing.

But you're right, these players deserve a real chance, and we all know they haven't had it yet.

Srgt. Hulka · 07-05-2012, 11:41 AM

Gentlemen, I believe we are witnessing the end of football as we know it. We have reached a point in the NFL from which there is no turning back. Ten years from now, we won't even recognize the NFL. This is a sad time to be a NFL fan imo. Thanks NFLPA and Comrade Goodell. You are both equally guilty of destroying an American institution.

TXGSP · 07-05-2012, 11:53 AM

The bias angle due to the release of information and public statements could be an interesting angle. Could bring into question ethics surrounding the "Judge, Jury, Executioner" view of the appeals process.

The court could be a good venue to pull more information regarding the investigation and any involvment by the Kommisar's office leading it.

I know the arbitrator is supposed to be impartial, but didn't the MLB fire an arbitrator after he overturned a suspension? Not sure if it was the same arbitrator or not.

Beastmode · 07-05-2012, 11:55 AM

I think the NFLPA has a stronger case than most believe. One thing I noticed is that Roger was on lock down after the March ESPN interview. Other than general statements, he hasn't opened his mouth since.

burningmetal · 07-05-2012, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by TXGSP

The bias angle due to the release of information and public statements could be an interesting angle. Could bring into question ethics surrounding the "Judge, Jury, Executioner" view of the appeals process.

The court could be a good venue to pull more information regarding the investigation and any involvment by the Kommisar's office leading it.

I know the arbitrator is supposed to be impartial, but didn't the MLB fire an arbitrator after he overturned a suspension? Not sure if it was the same arbitrator or not.

Yep, the arbitrator who overturned Ryan Braun's drug suspension before this season was almost immediately fired thereafter.

07-05-2012, 10:02 AM	#1
Threaded by TXGSP LET MY TEAM GO! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Just north of COWGAL HELL Posts: 296 Rating: (0 votes - average) It started early this morning.... The NFL Players Association has filed a lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of three players suspended in connection with the league's bounty investigation. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in New Orleans on Thursday. It says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell violated the collective bargaining agreement by showing publicly he had determined Will Smith, Anthony Hargrove and Scott Fujita had participated in a bounty system even before serving as an arbitrator at their hearing. The lawsuit asks a judge to set aside earlier arbitration rulings and order a new arbitrator to preside over the matter. The suit comes two days after Goodell denied appeals by four players. The other player, Jonathan Vilma, has sued the NFL and Goodell separately. Vilma is suspended for a season, Hargrove for eight games, Smith four and Fujita three. Attached Thumbnails Halo and kcsaints like this. Last edited by Halo; 07-05-2012 at 11:11 AM..
Views: 6044

07-05-2012, 10:59 AM	#3
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	The NFLPA really annoys me. This is about the 12th time they've tried to sue the NFL, and each time they use the most vague reasoning. I'm absolutely all for suing the league, but the NFLPA continuously fails to attack the weakest points of Goodell's arguments. If you keep complaining about language in the CBA being misinterpreted and violated, you're gonna keep getting the same result. Nothing. It's been proven that no arbitrator wants to look at the CBA, as they have repeatedly sided with the commissioner. I've said it before and I'll say it again, every time they question whether Roger has jurisdiction it makes it seem like they're admitting guilt and hoping for a way around punishment. The players themselves have been vehemently denying any involvement, and so the question is not whether he has jurisdiction, but rather does he have reason, or just cause to punish our team. I keep hearing Goodell, after each time he denies our appeals, saying "you haven't shown me any evidence to reverse my rulings". Huh? What exactly do you want them to show you, Roger? You have zero proof that the Saints ever tried to hurt anyone... That seems like evidence in favor of the players to me. You talk about some ledger of which no one knows it's origin, and not surprisingly there are no links between players on the ledger and any actual injury to said players. This man is the perfect definition of a dictator. saintfan, TheOak and Elsewheres like this.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

07-05-2012, 11:16 AM	#4
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,607 Blog Entries: 45	Originally Posted by burningmetal If you keep complaining about language in the CBA being misinterpreted and violated, you're gonna keep getting the same result. Nothing. It's been proven that no arbitrator wants to look at the CBA, as they have repeatedly sided with the commissioner. I've said it before and I'll say it again, every time they question whether Roger has jurisdiction it makes it seem like they're admitting guilt and hoping for a way around punishment.... This man is the perfect definition of a dictator. I totally agree with everything you said. I think the NFLPA is in a MUST SUE situation to backup the players suing or about to sue. The "unfairness" they are discussing is whether dictator Goodell who handed down the punishment should have stepped back and allowed other arbitrators to work on the appeal. And they are correct, it's almost like players careers are in the hands of a school principle dictator in Goodell. All we know is this.... the flood gates of litigation have been opened by ROGER GOODELL and he has only one person to blame and that's himself!!!! Bad for football?? Yes, horrible. Who is to blame? Don't blame Vilma! Look no further than Goodell. Tough job or not he needs to give players and coaches a fair shake, which he is not doing. saintfan, Rugby Saint II and SaintsBro like this.
	Like blackandgold.com on facebook follow us on Twitter

07-05-2012, 11:24 AM	#6
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Originally Posted by Halo I totally agree with everything you said. I think the NFLPA is in a MUST SUE situation to backup the players suing or about to sue. The "unfairness" they are discussing is whether dictator Goodell who handed down the punishment should have stepped back and allowed other arbitrators to work on the appeal. And they are correct, it's almost like players careers are in the hands of a school principle dictator in Goodell. All we know is this.... the flood gates of litigation have been opened by ROGER GOODELL and he has only one person to blame and that's himself!!!! Bad for football?? Yes, horrible. Who is to blame? Don't blame Vilma! Look no further than Goodell. Tough job or not he needs to give players and coaches a fair shake, which he is not doing. Oh yeah, definitely. He absolutely should step back and allow an unbiased set of eyes and ears look at it. But it seems like the NFLPA has tried this before, with no success. I want the NFLPA to really attack him in court and call him out for all the loose "documents" he keeps throwing around that, for one, nobody ever seems to know where they came from, and secondly, don't show anything but names and holds no proof of any wrong doing. But you're right, these players deserve a real chance, and we all know they haven't had it yet.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

07-05-2012, 11:55 AM	#9
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	I think the NFLPA has a stronger case than most believe. One thing I noticed is that Roger was on lock down after the March ESPN interview. Other than general statements, he hasn't opened his mouth since.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

07-05-2012, 10:56 AM	#2
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,026	Hummmm interesting angle.... I do not recall any verbiage that was violated..

07-05-2012, 11:21 AM	#5
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,127 Blog Entries: 29	Sucks to be Goodell right now!

07-05-2012, 11:41 AM	#7
Srgt. Hulka 1000 Posts + Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 4,417	Gentlemen, I believe we are witnessing the end of football as we know it. We have reached a point in the NFL from which there is no turning back. Ten years from now, we won't even recognize the NFL. This is a sad time to be a NFL fan imo. Thanks NFLPA and Comrade Goodell. You are both equally guilty of destroying an American institution.

07-05-2012, 11:53 AM	#8
TXGSP LET MY TEAM GO! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Just north of COWGAL HELL Posts: 296	The bias angle due to the release of information and public statements could be an interesting angle. Could bring into question ethics surrounding the "Judge, Jury, Executioner" view of the appeals process. The court could be a good venue to pull more information regarding the investigation and any involvment by the Kommisar's office leading it. I know the arbitrator is supposed to be impartial, but didn't the MLB fire an arbitrator after he overturned a suspension? Not sure if it was the same arbitrator or not.

07-05-2012, 11:58 AM	#10
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Originally Posted by TXGSP The bias angle due to the release of information and public statements could be an interesting angle. Could bring into question ethics surrounding the "Judge, Jury, Executioner" view of the appeals process. The court could be a good venue to pull more information regarding the investigation and any involvment by the Kommisar's office leading it. I know the arbitrator is supposed to be impartial, but didn't the MLB fire an arbitrator after he overturned a suspension? Not sure if it was the same arbitrator or not. Yep, the arbitrator who overturned Ryan Braun's drug suspension before this season was almost immediately fired thereafter.

LinkBacks (?) LinkBack to this Thread: https://blackandgold.com/saints/45211-nflpa-files-suit-bounty-matter.html
Posted By	For	Type	Date	Hits
NFLPA files suit in bounty matter	This thread	Refback	07-05-2012 12:11 PM	1