John Clayton on EE suspension

[DogFace]

I'm not sure anyone is saying there's a conspiracy against the Cowboys.

What many are wondering regarding this incident is how could it take so long. How can the accuser get caught red handed via texts trying to coerce a witness to lie and still the investigation goes on?

Can you name an investigation against another team that lasted this long? Do you know of another team being investigated by a person who holds season tickets to one other that teams biggest rivals and has been reported as having a Giants shrine in her house? If so maybe some who think the Cowboys are getting special treatment would feel better that this is normal.

There are some conflicts of interest coupled with a very long investigation that make some wonder, at this point, If this is a reasonable investigation.

Typo "holds season tickets to a rival of the team being investigated"

Sorry.

 

[aria]

I'm not sure anyone is saying there's a conspiracy against the Cowboys.

What many are wondering regarding this incident is how could it take so long. How can the accuser get caught red handed via texts trying to coerce a witness to lie and still the investigation goes on?

Can you name an investigation against another team that lasted this long? Do you know of another team being investigated by a person who holds season tickets to one other that teams biggest rivals and has been reported as having a Giants shrine in her house? If so maybe some who think the Cowboys are getting special treatment would feel better that this is normal.

There are some conflicts of interest coupled with a very long investigation that make some wonder, at this point, If this is a reasonable investigation.

The conspiracy theories are rampant on this site and have been getting worse for the past few years. If you haven't seen that you haven't been reading that much. As far as other teams being investigated by someone who holds season tickets for a rival team, I have no idea. I only keep up with teams in the NFCE for the most part. I would hope that person, and others involved would do the right thing. Season ticket holder or not, I'd bet my house that every single person involved in the NFL from officials to directors, executives, etc has a favorite team and some of them are probably Cowboys fans, imagine that. Although I agree, I don't like it, I don't think it's fair to say just because someone holds season tickets makes them guilty of being unfair or corrupt.

As far as investigations taking this long, no I can't think of any, but again that doesn't mean anything. Does it suck? Absolutely, and I want it to be over with ASAP. I think it's unfair to Zeke and the team but we all know how inconsistent the NFL is with punishments, suspensions, etc. Almost every single team who has had guys in trouble can make a case that they were unfairly treated. It's part of why I've stated multiple times that the NFL needs ro be revamped from top to bottom.

Do I think this is some vendetta to punish the Cowboys? Absolutely not and I could make several cases or instances in games that point to special treatment of the Cowboys. It goes both ways and that goes for every team so for me to think or say we're being singled out over one incident would be a little one sided and I try to remain objective, not subjective.

 

[InDakWeTrust]

Wow! The pitchfork crew is out because EE is the worst guy in the league, no charges, no police record and the people who think he deserves a suspension are being overdramatic teenagers right now.

Have we forgotten the immoral players like Josh Brown, Ray Rice, DRC, and Joe Nixon? Would there be a twenty pager if they did this same thing? If it were some practice squad guy, do you think there'd be a year long plus investigation?

Its a bunch of crap that he deserves this. Hell we hadn't heard much about it since he was rumored cleared late in the season. The NFL should send us a check to see if Wentz can actually walk on water, or if Eli is just a doofus with an arm transplant.

 

[Longboysfan]

Mara will find a way to suspend him.

Jerry and the NFLPA needs to grow a pair and sue the NFL all the way to the Supreme Court if needed. This would be an employee vs. and employer type lawsuit in a way.

Fixed it.

 

[aria]

Wow! The pitchfork crew is out because EE is the worst guy in the league, no charges, no police record and the people who think he deserves a suspension are being overdramatic teenagers right now.

Have we forgotten the immoral players like Josh Brown, Ray Rice, DRC, and Joe Nixon? Would there be a twenty pager if they did this same thing? If it were some practice squad guy, do you think there'd be a year long plus investigation?

Its a bunch of crap that he deserves this. Hell we hadn't heard much about it since he was rumored cleared late in the season. The NFL should send us a check to see if Wentz can actually walk on water, or if Eli is just a doofus with an arm transplant.

Who said they think EE should be suspended? Serious question, I haven't seen that. Qoute or link?

 

[DogFace]

The conspiracy theories are rampant on this site and have been getting worse for the past few years. If you haven't seen that you haven't been reading that much. As far as other teams being investigated by someone who holds season tickets for a rival team, I have no idea. I only keep up with teams in the NFCE for the most part. I would hope that person, and others involved would do the right thing. Season ticket holder or not, I'd bet my house that every single person involved in the NFL from officials to directors, executives, etc has a favorite team and some of them are probably Cowboys fans, imagine that. Although I agree, I don't like it, I don't think it's fair to say just because someone holds season tickets makes them guilty of being unfair or corrupt.

As far as investigations taking this long, no I can't think of any, but again that doesn't mean anything. Does it suck? Absolutely, and I want it to be over with ASAP. I think it's unfair to Zeke and the team but we all know how inconsistent the NFL is with punishments, suspensions, etc. Almost every single team who has had guys in trouble can make a case that they were unfairly treated. It's part of why I've stated multiple times that the NFL needs ro be revamped from top to bottom.

Do I think this is some vendetta to punish the Cowboys? Absolutely not and I could make several cases or instances in games that point to special treatment of the Cowboys. It goes both ways and that goes for every team so for me to think or say we're being singled out over one incident would be a little one sided and I try to remain objective, not subjective.

So if you only know about the Cowboys and how they are treated Is it fair to say you have no reference to know if they are being treated normally or not?

I guess someone told you there is no conspiracy against the Cowboys since you aren't aware of other teams and wouldn't be able to have an informed opinion about whether there was one or not. I'll back them up. There isn't one, but there seems to be a bias. The "illegal"(kind of)(sometimes) Butler in the huddle was one the strangest and most rare calls I've seen and a call that hasn't been called on other teams that commit the same infraction.

This year long investigation is strange. I'm happy that you are so trusting that there is no bias even when there is a clear conflict of interest. So I feel assured that you can trust me too.

Please share some of the special instances in games in the Cowboys favor.

 

[aria]

So if you only know about the Cowboys and how they are treated Is it fair to say you have no reference to know if they are being treated normally or not?

I guess someone told you there is no conspiracy against the Cowboys since you aren't aware of other teams and wouldn't be able to have an informed opinion about whether there was one or not. I'll back them up. There isn't one, but there seems to be a bias. The "illegal"(kind of)(sometimes) Butler in the huddle was one the strangest and most rare calls I've seen and a call that hasn't been called on other teams that commit the same infraction.

This year long investigation is strange. I'm happy that you are so trusting that there is no bias even when there is a clear conflict of interest. So I feel assured that you can trust me too.

Please share some of the special instances in games in the Cowboys favor.

Was it conflict of interest when Jerry had the head of officiating on his "party bus" right before a critical game? Was it bias against the Cowboys when a receiver was being tackled before the ball even hit his hands, a flag was thrown and then later picked up? What about after that same play when Dez ran out on the field, with his helmet off, and proceeded to argue with an official and didn't get flagged? This was the a critical game vs Detroit. Any of those penalties would have most likely resulted in a Detroit FG, at the least, and a good chance at the win.

All Cowboy fans remember was the Dez catch against GB the next game and went on to cry foul, unfair, "bias"against the Cowboys, etc.

Another example from last year was vs GB. I absolutely agree that huddle call was BS but did you not see the GB receiver who had his jersey literally pulled off his shoulder pad with the official staring right at him. That catch would have resulted in a first down but instead it resulted in a punt which the Cowboys got points from.

Take off the blue and grey shades, it goes both ways man. I hate the inconsistencies which is why I'm disgusted with the NFL as a whole but the "bias"/conspiracy/whatever you want to call it is all in your head.

 

[DogFace]

Was it conflict of interest when Jerry had the head of officiating on his "party bus" right before a critical game? Was it bias against the Cowboys when a receiver was being tackled before the ball even hit his hands, a flag was thrown and then later picked up? What about after that same play when Dez ran out on the field, with his helmet off, and proceeded to argue with an official and didn't get flagged? This was the a critical game vs Detroit. Any of those penalties would have most likely resulted in a Detroit FG, at the least, and a good chance at the win.

All Cowboy fans remember was the Dez catch against GB the next game and went on to cry foul, unfair, "bias"against the Cowboys, etc.

Another example from last year was vs GB. I absolutely agree that huddle call was BS but did you not see the GB receiver who had his jersey literally pulled off his shoulder pad with the official staring right at him. That catch would have resulted in a first down but instead it resulted in a punt which the Cowboys got points from.

Take off the blue and grey shades, it goes both ways man. I hate the inconsistencies which is why I'm disgusted with the NFL as a whole but the "bias"/conspiracy/whatever you want to call it is all in your head.

Pretty sure BLANDINO was on the bus before the season. Not right before a critical game. I could be wrong. Either way that obviously didn't bias him towards the Cowboys as we saw. Whereas the Giants fan investigator has clearly dragged this out of nothing else despite the evidence pointing to the girl being a fraud and a liar.

The Lions call has been discussed here. I'll discuss it again since you missed it and clearly missed the play when it happened. The Lions TE grabbed Hichens face mask. Hichens then grabbed his hand and threw it off of him. Was there illegal contact very early in the play that wasn't called ? Probably. That's a judgment call and was not part of this call/no call.

The GB game and a missed PI... yeah that happens a lot and did in that game on both sides of the ball. An illegal huddle doesn't and erased a large gain and a ton of momentum.

Clearly bad calls go both ways. It's the degree to how bad the mistakes are and how critical they are in the game in regards to the time on the clock among other factors.

The double tackle hold against Irving on the last play is a nice example of the time of the game being a factor as it was the last play of the game and more obvious than the PI no call.


The blue shades thing is so clever. How did you think of it? Just brilliant and I've never heard it before.

 

[cowboyblue22]

if he is suspended it will be on Friday just before camp starts so that it will be fresh on the minds of the press and they will have a field day it will be a distraction instead of what is going on at the practice it will be the suspensions of irving and Wilson conduct

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Was it conflict of interest when Jerry had the head of officiating on his "party bus" right before a critical game?

It was the first preseason game against the Chargers.

Was it bias against the Cowboys when a receiver was being tackled before the ball even hit his hands, a flag was thrown and then later picked up?

He wasn't tackled. And that receiver also grabbed Hitchens' face mask prior to the throw which allowed the receiver to get separation.

What about after that same play when Dez ran out on the field, with his helmet off, and proceeded to argue with an official and didn't get flagged? This was the a critical game vs Detroit. Any of those penalties would have most likely resulted in a Detroit FG, at the least, and a good chance at the win.

There was 8 minutes left in the game when the 'pass interference' happened (again, Pettigrew grabbed Hitchens facemask before). The Lions had the ball on 4th and 1 at the Cowboys 39 yard line and tried to draw Dallas offsides. Then they called timeout and punted it away. Unfortunately for the Lions, the punt went about 7 yards and Dallas got the ball back and scored. And the Lions couldn't score back.

This also neglects to mention the offensive PI call on Williams that negated a TD and the offensive PI call was completely incorrect.

Detroit was given every opportunity to win that game and they blew it, plain and simple. And prior to the Hitchens no-call, it was terribly lopsided towards the Lions' favor. And again...Pettigrew grabbed Hitchens' face mask prior to the no-call.





YR

 

[aria]

Pretty sure BLANDINO was on the bus before the season. Not right before a critical game. I could be wrong. Either way that obviously didn't bias him towards the Cowboys as we saw. Whereas the Giants fan investigator has clearly dragged this out of nothing else despite the evidence pointing to the girl being a fraud and a liar.

The Lions call has been discussed here. I'll discuss it again since you missed it and clearly missed the play when it happened. The Lions TE grabbed Hichens face mask. Hichens then grabbed his hand and threw it off of him. Was there illegal contact very early in the play that wasn't called ? Probably. That's a judgment call and was not part of this call/no call.

The GB game and a missed PI... yeah that happens a lot and did in that game on both sides of the ball. An illegal huddle doesn't and erased a large gain and a ton of momentum.

Clearly bad calls go both ways. It's the degree to how bad the mistakes are and how critical they are in the game in regards to the time on the clock among other factors.

The double tackle hold against Irving on the last play is a nice example of the time of the game being a factor as it was the last play of the game and more obvious than the PI no call.


The blue shades thing is so clever. How did you think of it? Just brilliant and I've never heard it before.

I noticed you left a lot out. Do you sit in the meeting room and know for a fact the Giants season ticket holder is the one delaying this? Do you know for a fact that they don't have more information that we're not aware of?

You do have think other NFL employees have favorite teams or does the "bias" only apply to season ticket holders?

You failed to mention Dez taking off his helmet, running on the field with the defense still out there and arguing with an official. That's two penalties that could have been called. I was furious at Dez but we got some "bias" go our way.

I agree, penalties (ie holding, PI, etc) occur every play and don't get called but not with an official staring right at him which was clear during the replay and with a jersey pulled off his shoulder.

Your right about the timing of the call. The non call on Dez was a perfect example that went in our favor.

Keep seeing what you want to see. As I've said, it goes both ways and it sucks.

 

[aria]

It was the first preseason game against the Chargers.



He wasn't tackled. And that receiver also grabbed Hitchens' face mask prior to the throw which allowed the receiver to get separation.



There was 8 minutes left in the game when the 'pass interference' happened (again, Pettigrew grabbed Hitchens facemask before). The Lions had the ball on 4th and 1 at the Cowboys 39 yard line and tried to draw Dallas offsides. Then they called timeout and punted it away. Unfortunately for the Lions, the punt went about 7 yards and Dallas got the ball back and scored. And the Lions couldn't score back.

This also neglects to mention the offensive PI call on Williams that negated a TD and the offensive PI call was completely incorrect.

Detroit was given every opportunity to win that game and they blew it, plain and simple. And prior to the Hitchens no-call, it was terribly lopsided towards the Lions' favor. And again...Pettigrew grabbed Hitchens' face mask prior to the no-call.





YR

Does it really matter when Bladino was on the bus or is it a potential conflict of interest regardless?

Anyways, nice post but all that proves to me is what I've been saying all along, the NFL is inconsistent! So that doesn't mean any call that goes for or against us is "bias".

Edit: BTW, again the Dez non call isn't addressed. The "Lions blew it" doesn't mean they didn't get a "bias" non call against them.

 

[aria]

I would also think if there was any true "bias" it would be in favor of the Cowboys. The further they go, the better they do, the better the ratings and more money for the NFL.

Personally, I don't want "bias" in our favor or against us. I want a cleanly called game with no excuses for either team.

This may be shocker but I remember someone here wishing Jordy Nelson was injured to improve our chances of winning. If he's injured so be it but hoping he's injured is not only sickening but cowardly.

I want the other team full strength, bring it! You really want to see the Cowboys beat the Patriots in the Super Bowl because Tom Brady got injured in the Conference Championship? I don't. I want the Cowboys to stomp a mud hole in Brady.

 

[viman96]

Now a guy who visits a cannibus store is showing too much interest in pot.

Ba sign

That is your personal opinion. Going to a pot shop is a tourist thing to do so who cares? An example of a" bad sign" would be he was caught buying weed behind the building from a dealer. There is no proof he would have smoked the weed but it would be a "bad sign" that he likes weed.

 

[Redball Express]

That is your personal opinion. Going to a pot shop is a tourist thing to do so who cares? An example of a" bad sign" would be he was caught buying weed behind the building from a dealer. There is no proof he would have smoked the weed but it would be a "bad sign" that he likes weed.

We all see things differently.

I'm a pot smoker.

Do it for medical reasons after a stroke 2 years ago.

Helps me walk and takes the edge off all the meds. Got dizziness all the time.

So I understand the curiousity.

And I have nothing against it with others.

But he's in a business which prohibits it.

That's his choice.

I just say watch the actions and expect less from Zeke than what we all want to see.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Does it really matter when Bladino was on the bus or is it a potential conflict of interest regardless?

Yes, it does.

And that's why you made the erroneous point that it was before a 'critical game.'

If it didn't matter, you would not have made that point. And that's why I corrected you.

Anyways, nice post but all that proves to me is what I've been saying all along, the NFL is inconsistent! So that doesn't mean any call that goes for or against us is "bias".

Edit: BTW, again the Dez non call isn't addressed. The "Lions blew it" doesn't mean they didn't get a "bias" non call against them.

The Dez call is a judgment call by the officials and it didn't have the impact nearly as much as any of the calls that have been mentioned. Everybody points to Hitchens' non-call, but they always forget to mention that Pettigrew grabbed his facemask prior to alleged PI.

I will always revert to the NBA and Tim Donaghy.

After Donaghy was arrested, the FBI did a thorough investigation on whether or not he actually fixed games. The FBI came to the conclusion that Donaghy did *not* fix any games. In fact, they were able to point to particular games Donaghy refereed where he ejected the star player of the team he bet on.

What Donaghy did was prior to each game he would talk with the other refs he was working with and would gather how they were going to call the game. He then would bet on the team that he thought was going to get screwed over. And he was right a whopping 78% of the time (78% in gambling is outrageous).

All from just gathering intelligence of how the other refs felt in that game.

I can't reconcile the idea that there are no NFL refs that are the same way.






YR

 

[Redball Express]

The Salvation Army and those who benefitted from it disagree.

I understand.

No problem there.

And I don't think that was a problem..

other than the penalty.

Its the doing it knowing its a penalty.

 

[LittleD]

Who said they think EE should be suspended? Serious question, I haven't seen that. Qoute or link?

I don't think anyone believes EE deserves a suspension for his issues. He does need to watch his step for awhile. My only argument is that
the NFL could suspend him if they wanted to which they may not want to walk down that rabbit hole. My hope is that EE has learned that he should trust no one with a microphone or camera.

 

[viman96]

We all see things differently.

I'm a pot smoker.

Do it for medical reasons after a stroke 2 years ago.

Helps me walk and takes the edge off all the meds. Got dizziness all the time.

So I understand the curiousity.

And I have nothing against it with others.

But he's in a business which prohibits it.

That's his choice.

I just say watch the actions and expect less from Zeke than what we all want to see.

Someone like Zeke probably never seen a head shop so consider it a novelty for him to checkout a store that openly sells weed and fancy looking pipes.

 

[Redball Express]

Someone like Zeke probably never seen a head shop so consider it a novelty for him to checkout a store that openly sells weed and fancy looking pipes.

Fancy pipes?

Lets go Zeke..