Goodell expected to significantly increase Watson's suspension

[Reid1boys]

usually part of suspension means you lose the money that you would get per game. He wasn't suspended, Houston and Watson came to decision for him to shove off while they find a trade partner but he still got paid.

He sat for one reason.... all of the accusations. Same reason nobody would trade for him last year.

 

[erod]

Good. Groper Cleveland needs a full season suspension at least.

Ok, I'm stealing that nickname whether you stole it or not.

 

[Vanilla2]

In other words that balloon was leaded

 

[tyke1doe]

I'd like to see him get a year's suspension.

 

[ESisback]

Goody’s got too much power, but I gotta say, Watson SHOULD get more than 6 games!

 

[AyeAtey]

Is that really Stephen A.

 

[RoboQB]

Anyone else see NFLN Judy Bautista barely hiding how livid she was about the 6 game ruling?
She was practically shaking with anger.
No doubt, Watson is, well, weird but...
You get a third party ruling and then say the ruling isn't enough!?!

 

[RJ_MacReady]

Cool.

On a related note, Mr.-ending could be suspended for the next 5 years and all of the mediots will still have him as a top-5 QB.

Personally, he’s become the most overrated player in the league. Because of that, I wish he was starting week-1 so I don’t have to wait to enjoy everyone turn on him. He will be Wentz’d in no time.

 

[J12B]

Anyone else see NFLN Judy Bautista barely hiding how livid she was about the 6 game ruling?
She was practically shaking with anger.
No doubt, Watson is, well, weird but...
You get a third party ruling and then say the ruling isn't enough!?!

https://www.nfl.com/news/response-t...me-suspension-represents-important-litmus-tes

She wrote this excellent article.

Nailed it here:
"None of that is as important, though, as this, from Robinson's ruling: The NFL, she wrote, had proved, "by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault (as defined by the NFL) against the four therapists identified in the Report."

Read that again. Watson was a repeat sexual assailant. That makes a six-game suspension mystifying and disheartening, as so much of the behavior by so many people involved in this case has been.

Somewhat incredibly, considering she said Watson's behavior was predatory and amounted to sexual assault, Robinson stressed that there was no violence involved in Watson's assaults, a factor in her decision to settle on six games. That, at best, implies that causing unwanted sexualized contact is not inherently violence against the victim."

 

[plymkr]

So why even have an arbitrator if Goodell can just say, "nah, I don't like that" and do what he wants anyway? Wasn't this supposed to be a change from how they did this before? Sounds like it's the same but with a middle man now.

Even though I feel he should have a bigger suspension than 6 games I agree with you here. Why the song and dance of bringing an arbitrator in just to over rule her because you don't like the ruling. Just make a ruling and be done with it. Kind of reminds me of the Zeke suspension. Goodell has the woman investigate Zeke, she comes back and says no punishment is needed and Zeke gets suspended. Why the song and dance?

 

[plymkr]

"None of that is as important, though, as this, from Robinson's ruling: The NFL, she wrote, had proved, "by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault (as defined by the NFL) against the four therapists identified in the Report."

Wow, so if he committed sexual assault against 4 women he should get at least a year and maybe lifetime suspension. Sexual assault against 4 women is horrible. The most important line in that is : " as defined by the NFL". So to me that suggests the NFL has a different definition of sexual assault then the police. So this puts the ball in the NFL's court. Watson violated the NFL rule of sexual assault so the NFL can punish him without criminal charges.

So this goes back to a post I made yesterday or today. At the next CBA everyone has to decide what the NFL's role is. Is the NFL a policing entity or not. This is the gray area that bothers fans like me. I don't like that the NFL has their own definition of sexual assault and I really don't like the phrase "conduct detrimental to the league ". It seems vague and subjective.

I feel Watson should at least get a year suspension but this fuzzy, gray area that allows the NFL to dish out inconsistent punishments needs to be addressed at the next CBA.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Fatman Boss YKDV is getting nervous.

 

[J12B]

Wow, so if he committed sexual assault against 4 women he should get at least a year and maybe lifetime suspension. Sexual assault against 4 women is horrible. The most important line in that is : " as defined by the NFL". So to me that suggests the NFL has a different definition of sexual assault then the police. So this puts the ball in the NFL's court. Watson violated the NFL rule of sexual assault so the NFL can punish him without criminal charges.

So this goes back to a post I made yesterday or today. At the next CBA everyone has to decide what the NFL's role is. Is the NFL a policing entity or not. This is the gray area that bothers fans like me. I don't like that the NFL has their own definition of sexual assault and I really don't like the phrase "conduct detrimental to the league ". It seems vague and subjective.

I feel Watson should at least get a year suspension but this fuzzy, gray area that allows the NFL to dish out inconsistent punishments needs to be addressed at the next CBA.

The thing is the players have so much money and power that they can get out of so many legal problems. That's why the NFL implemented the Personal Conduct Policy. They needed something in place that would hold players accountable off the field despite what the court of law rules. The NFL is more concerned with the Law of Public Opinion than anything else. In my opinion they have every right to do so and should. Could you imagine if Henry Ruggs gets off for the charges he's facing? Or gets a slap on the wrist like 1 year in jail? And if he did, he technically would be allowed to play immediately since "no crime was committed" or since he served his time. The NFL can't have that.

 

[TwoDeep3]

They have tested the public outcry waters and found 6 games decidedly lacking.

He’s so handsome and woke.

The fact they ran up a trail balloon before actually making a decision indicates this isn't about setting a tone as much as placating the public with a token punishment.

 

[plymkr]

The thing is the players have so much money and power that they can get out of so many legal problems. That's why the NFL implemented the Personal Conduct Policy. They needed something in place that would hold players accountable off the field despite what the court of law rules. The NFL is more concerned with the Law of Public Opinion than anything else. In my opinion they have every right to do so and should. Could you imagine if Henry Ruggs gets off for the charges he's facing? Or gets a slap on the wrist like 1 year in jail? And if he did, he technically would be allowed to play immediately since "no crime was committed" or since he served his time. The NFL can't have that.

I agree. What I feel they have to do is be more consistent and/or firm. So I'm hoping at the next CBA they can find a middle ground. What I would like is less language like "conduct detrimental to the league ". Again that's subjective to one person's viewpoint. And that's vague. So it sounds like the NFL has a different definition of sexual assault than the police or law enforcement. Ok I'm good with that. What I'd be happy with is once it was made clear that Watson violated the NFL's definition of sexual assault then he gets suspended and it's firm. None of these cases of battling it out in court.

So I guess what I am thinking is I would like the NFL to make up it's mind who the disciplinarian is and then go with it. Maybe hire one firm to handle all the discipline.

What I am sick of seeing is stuff that makes you scratch your head. Like in 2010 when Mara complained that the Cowboys and the Commanders violated the salary cap and Goodell punished us. Um okay, it's not a red flag that an owner in our division was instrumental in punishing us? That's frustrating.

I do agree with what you're saying. You're saying we need a system and I completely agree. I feel the current system is broken or at least flawed. Now I have no idea how to fix the system or make the system less flawed. I'm just shotgunning ideas.

 

[J12B]

I agree. What I feel they have to do is be more consistent and/or firm. So I'm hoping at the next CBA they can find a middle ground. What I would like is less language like "conduct detrimental to the league ". Again that's subjective to one person's viewpoint. And that's vague. So it sounds like the NFL has a different definition of sexual assault than the police or law enforcement. Ok I'm good with that. What I'd be happy with is once it was made clear that Watson violated the NFL's definition of sexual assault then he gets suspended and it's firm. None of these cases of battling it out in court.

So I guess what I am thinking is I would like the NFL to make up it's mind who the disciplinarian is and then go with it. Maybe hire one firm to handle all the discipline.

What I am sick of seeing is stuff that makes you scratch your head. Like in 2010 when Mara complained that the Cowboys and the Football Team violated the salary cap and Goodell punished us. Um okay, it's not a red flag that an owner in our division was instrumental in punishing us? That's frustrating.

I do agree with what you're saying. You're saying we need a system and I completely agree. I feel the current system is broken or at least flawed. Now I have no idea how to fix the system or make the system less flawed. I'm just shotgunning ideas.

You're 100% right and I definitely agree. Improvements are needed. I just don't see the NFL giving up that power. They'll find a way where they can do whatever they deem necessary in the best interest of the league.

 

[plymkr]

You're 100% right and I definitely agree. Improvements are needed. I just don't see the NFL giving up that power. They'll find a way where they can do whatever they deem necessary in the best interest of the league.

Yeah I agree, the NFL definitely is not giving up the power. I also appreciate the open minded discussion.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Good.

He better.

We'll see but I won't hold my breath. Goodell has always been inconsistent in these matters.

 

[Diehardblues]

The thing is the players have so much money and power that they can get out of so many legal problems. That's why the NFL implemented the Personal Conduct Policy. They needed something in place that would hold players accountable off the field despite what the court of law rules. The NFL is more concerned with the Law of Public Opinion than anything else. In my opinion they have every right to do so and should. Could you imagine if Henry Ruggs gets off for the charges he's facing? Or gets a slap on the wrist like 1 year in jail? And if he did, he technically would be allowed to play immediately since "no crime was committed" or since he served his time. The NFL can't have that.

This is exactly why the NFL implemented their Personal Conduct Policy as athletes were all too often with their fame and fortune able to circumvent legal prosecution as DA’s often reluctant to indict these public figures knowing it could be difficult to find 12 jurors who’d convict while the potential of placing their elected position in jeopardy.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I don't have a problem with 6 games, dude already sit all of last year.

Because he didn't want to play for Houston and he got payed for it.