RockyMountainSaint

League’s internal memo suggests that suspensions will be re-issued | ProFootballTalk
Many are painting the decision to wipe out the bounty suspensions imposed against Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, Saints defensive end Will Smith, Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, and free-agent defensive end Anthony Hargrove as a slam-dunk win for the players.

While it was a victory on the surface, it was fairly hollow and potentially temporary.

Apart from the fact that the timing of the decision prevented the players from practicing in preparation for Week One, the ruling gives the NFL another chance to impose the suspensions in a way that draws clear lines between conduct detrimental to the game (over which Commissioner Roger Goodell has jurisdiction) and salary-cap violations arising from a pay-for-performance/bounty system (over which Goodell has no jurisdiction).

It’s likely that the league will simply re-issue the same suspensions. Indeed, the memo sent by NFL general counsel Jeff Pash to the various teams on Friday clearly indicates that the league continues to believe that wrongdoing occurred — and that there should be significant punishment for it.

“Nothing in today’s decision contradicts any of the facts found in the investigation into this matter, or absolves any player of responsibility for conduct detrimental,” Pash writes. “Nor does the decision in any way suggest what discipline would be appropriate for conduct that lies within the authority of the Commissioner. Per the panel’s direction, the Commissioner will promptly reconsider the matter and make a determination of the appropriate discipline consistent with the standards set forth in today’s decision. All clubs will be advised when that decision is made.”

It would be a surprise if the outcome is anything other than what it already was: a full season for Vilma, four games for Smith, three games for Fujita, and eight games for Hargrove.

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Seer1

Well of course they will........

RaginCajun83

.....and the legal merry go around continues to turn

Goddell can go suck it

homerj07

that was my take also.

I still want the judge to make her ruling. I think that may have more weight than this silly appeals council!!

ChrisXVI

Goodell can hand down the same suspensions all he wants... He did it once and it was overturned. He's fighting a losing battle. He's not going to get his way... the Saints did nothing wrong and our boys will fight it every step of the way as they have done already successfully. Face it Herr Goodell, you're wrong.

ScottF

might be a chance for Goddell to offer the olive branch and signifcantly reduce the suspensions

NuNu318

She's basically waiting on Goodell's decision first before she rules. She said she won't rule at this time...but the cases are still pending. She's pretty much indirectly telling him he either better come to a reasonable settlement for both sides or risk getting exposed even more than he already has.

The Dude

skank

QBREES9

yes they will.

saintfan

Somebody else said it here and I agree. I think this was at least in part manipulated by the NFL. Roger DOES NOT want to show his 'evidence' in a real court, or even at all. We know he's hacked all to hell over this and he's certainly not going to just give in.