NFL and Zeke

[Verdict]

I know all of us have been assuming that the league is out to get the Cowboys and they probably are. But having said that, if the NFL isn't totally brain dead they know how weak this case is.

I will pose a different thought process for consideration. It is entirely possible that the league suspended Elliott 6 games to appear hard on domestic violence with the intention that it get totally reversed on appeal before it actually gets to the courts.

Zeke would essentially get no remedy for his sullied reputation even though his suspension was dropped. He would essentially have to just bite the bullet on it and say I'm glad this is finally behind me and I am vindicated.

The league could ***** and whine about how they think it is wrong and it should have been upheld and we are oh so against domestic violence, but we respect the process.

The league appears tough on domestic violence, and the band plays on. Really that is probably the best case scenario for the league in this case. They didn't shrug it off, they avoid the publicity hit, and Zeke and the Cowboys don't miss a beat.

That's not really been floated out there, but it is a possibility. The league seems to have gone overboard to appear like this is a witch hunt for Zeke, but the owners care about protecting the brand. That would be the safest way for them to protect the brand.

If they suspend him and Zeke doesn't settle, then this is going to give the league a black eye that is going to take a long time to heal and go away. It's going to leave quite a mark.

 

[jazzcat22]

But if the NFL was honest it should have never came to this. But I don't doubt for a bit they wanted to make a case about its stance on DV against a high profile player.

They should have just sucked it up, and said there is nothing here. So what if the DV groups whined. Even they should see there was no DV.

Which just shows how corrupt the NFL FO is to do all this just for a political PC cause.
They should be fined and sued by Zeke jist for that alone for defamation of character.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I know all of us have been assuming that the league is out to get the Cowboys and they probably are. But having said that, if the NFL isn't totally brain dead they know how weak this case is.

I will pose a different thought process for consideration. It is entirely possible that the league suspended Elliott 6 games to appear hard on domestic violence with the intention that it get totally reversed on appeal before it actually gets to the courts.

Zeke would essentially get no remedy for his sullied reputation even though his suspension was dropped. He would essentially have to just bite the bullet on it and say I'm glad this is finally behind me and I am vindicated.

The league could ***** and whine about how they think it is wrong and it should have been upheld and we are oh so against domestic violence, but we respect the process.

The league appears tough on domestic violence, and the band plays on. Really that is probably the best case scenario for the league in this case. They didn't shrug it off, they avoid the publicity hit, and Zeke and the Cowboys don't miss a beat.

That's not really been floated out there, but it is a possibility. The league seems to have gone overboard to appear like this is a witch hunt for Zeke, but the owners care about protecting the brand. That would be the safest way for them to protect the brand.

If they suspend him and Zeke doesn't settle, then this is going to give the league a black eye that is going to take a long time to heal and go away. It's going to leave quite a mark.

All the league cares about is that they are looking like they are tough on women beaters. Public perception. The fact that the fans of the players team get upset is secondary in their minds. To me it is a lose situation all around.

 

[Beast_from_East]

I know all of us have been assuming that the league is out to get the Cowboys and they probably are. But having said that, if the NFL isn't totally brain dead they know how weak this case is.

I will pose a different thought process for consideration. It is entirely possible that the league suspended Elliott 6 games to appear hard on domestic violence with the intention that it get totally reversed on appeal before it actually gets to the courts.

Zeke would essentially get no remedy for his sullied reputation even though his suspension was dropped. He would essentially have to just bite the bullet on it and say I'm glad this is finally behind me and I am vindicated.

The league could ***** and whine about how they think it is wrong and it should have been upheld and we are oh so against domestic violence, but we respect the process.

The league appears tough on domestic violence, and the band plays on. Really that is probably the best case scenario for the league in this case. They didn't shrug it off, they avoid the publicity hit, and Zeke and the Cowboys don't miss a beat.

That's not really been floated out there, but it is a possibility. The league seems to have gone overboard to appear like this is a witch hunt for Zeke, but the owners care about protecting the brand. That would be the safest way for them to protect the brand.

If they suspend him and Zeke doesn't settle, then this is going to give the league a black eye that is going to take a long time to heal and go away. It's going to leave quite a mark.

One problem with this theory, they appointed company man Henderson to rule on the appeal. He works for the league, so the odds of him saying the league botched this is slim and none

 

[Cowboys22]

Has any suspension ever been totally overturned on appeal. I can't recall it ever happening. It's get reduced but never overturned completely. I doubt this is what's happening. I think they simply decided Zeke would be the highest profile player they would ever have in their sights and with all the other little things decided to make an example of him and finally give someone the maximum 6 games under the new policy. Their biggest problem is they have flimsy evidence and an untrustworthy accuser.

 

[hornitosmonster]

Even if it reduced to zero games I would like to see Zeke sue for defamation.

 

[Cowboys22]

One problem with this theory, they appointed company man Henderson to rule on the appeal. He works for the league, so the odds of him saying the league botched this is slim and none

Not if it's what the league wants him to do. I don't buy it but the theory as put forth would require a company man to oversee the appeal.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Not if it's what the league wants him to do. I don't buy it but the theory as put forth would require a company man to oversee the appeal.

Interesting theory, but I am just not buying it. Sometimes things are exactly like they appear, they saw an opportunity to look tough on DV and Zeke happened to be the poor fellow that was at the wrong place at the wrong time

 

[Don Corleone]

The NFL needs to defer to the legal system and stop policing social issues as their own arm of the government. They need to simply stay away from social agendas. The product would be much better.

 

[Fletch]

The NFL needs to defer to the legal system and stop policing social issues as their own arm of the government. They need to simply stay away from social agendas. The product would be much better.

I seriously just took a knee while reading this.

Correct!

 

[erod]

Overall, I'm sympathetic to what the NFL is trying to do.

They're inundated with criticism for being a band of unappreciative thugs who won't stand up like gentlemen for an anthem, don't treat women appropriately, party like rock stars, abuse steroids and PEDs, act like fools on Sunday, and aren't being truthful about concussions.

Politics from all sides and mainstream media have put a big target on the NFL. It's driving people away. More specifically, it's driving people who pay the freight away.

They're trying to make everybody happy, and they're making nobody happy.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

The NFL needs to defer to the legal system and stop policing social issues as their own arm of the government. They need to simply stay away from social agendas. The product would be much better.

well said,,,, Engaging the media or special interests on these issues is a fool's errand. They will never be happy and many of them fully intend to bring the NFL to heel, shake it down, and neuter it of all things deemed 'offensive'.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It is entirely possible that the league suspended Elliott 6 games to appear hard on domestic violence with the intention that it get totally reversed on appeal before it actually gets to the courts.

Isn't that the approach the league takes with every suspension?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Overall, I'm sympathetic to what the NFL is trying to do.

I would be if they did things the right way. The backward approach they seem to always take makes me say screw them.

 

[erod]

I would be if they did things the right way. The backward approach they seem to always take makes me say screw them.

They're just swimming in waters over their head on this.

 

[Don Corleone]

Overall, I'm sympathetic to what the NFL is trying to do.

They're inundated with criticism for being a band of unappreciative thugs who won't stand up like gentlemen for an anthem, don't treat women appropriately, party like rock stars, abuse steroids and PEDs, act like fools on Sunday, and aren't being truthful about concussions.

Politics from all sides and mainstream media have put a big target on the NFL. It's driving people away. More specifically, it's driving people who pay the freight away.

They're trying to make everybody happy, and they're making nobody happy.

I dunno. I think the NFL was doing fine even with all the cirticism of the issues you mention. I've been a fan for 36 years and this mess with Zeke has caused me to lower my interest in the NFL to an all time low. REAL fans are too smart for the charade that the NFL is putting on, and it is drawing them away. A slippery slope for the NFL.

 

[Corso]

Overall, I'm sympathetic to what the NFL is trying to do.

They're inundated with criticism for being a band of unappreciative thugs who won't stand up like gentlemen for an anthem, don't treat women appropriately, party like rock stars, abuse steroids and PEDs, act like fools on Sunday, and aren't being truthful about concussions.

Politics from all sides and mainstream media have put a big target on the NFL. It's driving people away. More specifically, it's driving people who pay the freight away.

They're trying to make everybody happy, and they're making nobody happy.

They are generally in a no-win situation in most of their situations. It doesn't help when they look inept, though.

 

[Plumfool]

Isn't that the approach the league takes with every suspension?

With the "keystone cop" manner all of this was handled I wouldn't be surprised if Zeke's suspension was just to appease certain groups.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

With the "keystone cop" manner all of this was handled I wouldn't be surprised if Zeke's suspension was just to appease certain groups.

The NFL took over a year to finish investigating an incident they still cannot prove even happened. They were going to look stupid no matter what they did- suspending Zeke or leaving him alone.

I agree, the suspension was just a grandstand tactic. They erred on the side of appeasing women's rights groups, etc.. However, they have also succeeded in soiling the reputation of Zeke for the rest of his career and they may have a very messy legal situation coming up here pretty soon.

It's time for the NFL to stop playing judge, jury, and executioner. If a player gets arrested, suspend him accordingly. If he uses PED's, suspend him accordingly. In cases like Zeke's, where he was never charged, just leave things be.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

The NFL took over a year to finish investigating an incident they still cannot prove even happened. They were going to look stupid no matter what they did- suspending Zeke or leaving him alone.

I agree, the suspension was just a grandstand tactic. They erred on the side of appeasing women's rights groups, etc.. However, they have also succeeded in soiling the reputation of Zeke for the rest of his career and they may have a very messy legal situation coming up here pretty soon.

It's time for the NFL to stop playing judge, jury, and executioner. If a player gets arrested, suspend him accordingly. If he uses PED's, suspend him accordingly. In cases like Zeke's, where he was never charged, just leave things be.

If they would have ended the investigation after the DA did and say he wasn't charged and there is no proof he did anything this would have been all behind them. Nobody was even paying much attention to the NFL in the off-season. Instead they keep the investigation going right through training camp. That's why they're in a no win situation. They brought it on themselves.