SaintsBro

I agreed with you 100% on all points except this one.


Benson did not stand idly by over this, he HAS fought it, but in a very low-key, business-like, gentlemanly manner. He has been having closed-door meetings repeatedly with Goodell to plead his case, since this began, and he hired Louis Freeh formerly from the FBI to conduct an independent internal investigation into what really happened. If he bought the NFL's version of the story hook line and sinker, why do the investigation, and why not fire Payton, Loomis, the whole crew and clean house? Instead he has stood by them -- would he do that, IF they are really that guilty and the evidence was so damning?

He is sticking up for them, without defying Goodell or making a big public stink about it, or starting a big PR war over Bounties the year before hosting a Super Bowl. That's a good business decision. And he is probably just as cautious and touchy about the pending concussion lawsuits as any owner. So he is laying low. Working behind the scenes. He got Payton into the Hall of Fame game, after Roger originally said Sean couldn't go, remember?


My theory is that Benson went up there to meet Goodell in August, and basically told him, "my guy Freeh is looking into this, and his findings better jive exactly with what you've been saying, otherwise you are in a world of deep doo doo my friend, when I go public with it -- I will have your head if your evidence is less than 110% ironclad on this" and the two of them have left it hanging like that, for the time being. We'll see. Ever since that Goodell/Benson meeting in late August, Goodell sure seems to be churning out the signed affidavits dated in September 2012, I'll say that much.


Meanwhile, the other owners ARE going to stand by quietly, and let Benson fight it on his own, because face it -- anything that makes a strong team weak, will help them with their own teams. Why the heck not? But I guarantee you that behind the scenes, there is a group of disgruntled owners who are quietly, unobstrusively "less than satisfied" with the job Goodell is doing as commissioner. Benson, Jerrah, the Krafts, the Snyders in DC. Probably the Rooneys. Discontent is slowly growing, but these things take time.

I say the evidence is not being made public, NOT because it is damning, but because Goodell is simply a secretive weenie who doesn't want people looking into his bizness and asking questions about his job performance. Nothing more. He did the same thing with the evidence in Spygate, wouldn't show it to anybody. So don't let 'em wear you down. They WANT you to feel bad.