Pacman suspended for 2007; Henry suspended 8 games

[jrumann59]

I wonder if Pac Man went into Goodfella Goodell"s office and basicly said, "Up yours, give me your best shot." I really doubt that Pac Man showed remorse he probably did what people like him do, tried to make himself out as the victim.

 

[theogt]

Jones has been arrested ten times since he was drafted I think this last incident is considered the straw that brok the camel's back not the whole reason he was suspended.

No, he hasn't. And this is a big problem with this whole ordeal. The suspensions are largely a reaction to fan opinion. Hell, Goodell basically admitted as much with the "ridicule" line. The problem is that a lot of fans don't even know what's going on. I see/hear the bolded statement quite a bit, and it's simply not true.

I'm not giddy about the move, but Goodell was clearly out to make an example of these two, so he made it strong.

I'm just not following the new commish's logic.

Haynesworth assaults a player on national television, and gets a couple game suspension. These guys did something out of sight, have not been convicted of much of anything that I recall, and they're suspended longer.

It's all about handling the public's perception I guess. People are tired of "thugs"

That's my worry. Where is this line drawn? If a guy gets in a fight at a strip club, but isn't arrested, is he suspended? What if he's attacked on the street, outside of a club, like Hamlin? Suspension? Fine? What if a player is accused of spitting on another, like TO? Year suspension? One week? What are the standards? How can a player know how the league is going to react?

If you're going to get into this sort of action, I'm 100% ok with it. A corporation has the right to fire or suspend its employees, with certain legal restrictions, particularly if the employee contracted into such a right/obligation. However, they're opening themselves up to a fair amount of litigation (and ridicule) if they don't establish a clear set of guidelines with reasonably accurate consequences, etc.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Even the due process was'nt violated. As the commissioner gave Pacman a chance to present his case, and then made his decision on the evidence given. The fact that pacman refuses to stay out of trouble got him a suspension. Goodell said it right, the NFL is a privilege not a right. And to many times a player thinks that hes so good, hes above the law. Pacman might be able to get around the law enforcement, but if hes no longer employed by the NFL. Then he will no longer have that protection, and then he might decide to get his head out of his butt, and follow the got dang rules.

Above all, the NFL isn't the Judicial Branch of the government nor do they have to follow any precedence or interpretation of the legislation defined by the government in deciding how to react any situation. The NFL is considered a private entity and participators do so under their own free will and must abide by the will set forth by the NFL.

 

[superpunk]

Haynesworth got 5 games, not just a couple.

As for PacMan, I didn't think he would get a full year suspension. But when watching his interview with NFL Network, it was clear he was gearing up for battle. I don't know if the suspension will stick, but it's clear he was preparing for it.

The problem with Pacman's case is that he didn't inform the team of the case in GA where he was arrested of something involving an officer. That's a clear violation of the personal conduct policy. So regardless of the other incidents, they had him by the nads on that alone.

It's just overkill, IMO, for a player that is still waiting to undergo the process from the actual law system. I know Goodell wasn't commish, but if he's doing this to these guys just for consistently getting in minor troubles, is he gonna retroactively cut Leonard Little's nads off?

Just too far, IMO. It's skewed, because I am far less concerned about what these people are doing off the field than on the field, but I would think guys like Haynesworth would garner the steeper punishment, doing something in plain view on TV, that was just disgusting. I am far more inline with how the NHL treated Marty McSorley and Chris Simon than this charade.

Fix the steroid and substance abuse problems - don't put on this show for your conservative conglomerate who are tired of seeing these guys getting in trouble off the field. It's all about what matters to you more, I think. I just don't care what Pac-man is doing off the field. I'm pretty content to just let the legal system do what it will to him, without punishing him, the team, and the fans.

 

[adamknite]

It's just overkill, IMO, for a player that is still waiting to undergo the process from the actual law system. I know Goodell wasn't commish, but if he's doing this to these guys just for consistently getting in minor troubles, is he gonna retroactively cut Leonard Little's nads off?

Just too far, IMO. It's skewed, because I am far less concerned about what these people are doing off the field than on the field, but I would think guys like Haynesworth would garner the steeper punishment, doing something in plain view on TV, that was just disgusting. I am far more inline with how the NHL treated Marty McSorley and Chris Simon than this charade.

Fix the steroid and substance abuse problems - don't put on this show for your conservative conglomerate who are tired of seeing these guys getting in trouble off the field. It's all about what matters to you more, I think. I just don't care what Pac-man is doing off the field. I'm pretty content to just let the legal system do what it will to him, without punishing him, the team, and the fans.

Oh I thought Haynesworth should have been Pete Rosed for what he did, don't get me wrong. I was looking for the ultimate punishment, ripping a players helmet off and then repeatedly trying to stab his eye out with your cleet.... he should have never been on the field again.

Edit: Also I wish he would rip Little's nads off, I literally hate that guy for what he did and commits he made afterwards, then gets caught drinking and driving again. He shouldn't be allowed to play right now either.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Will there be a steeper punishment to come?

Yep, probably not by the NFL though. By Bubba.

 

[theogt]

Nobody has ever been suspended more than 2 games for an on field incident except for Haynesworth, and he got 5 games. Plenty of players have been suspended a year for off the field issues.

I think his point is that the on/off field dinstiction is surprising, particularly when on-field actions are televised to millions of viewers. Do kids know that Henry was arrested recently for driving with an invalid license? No, but they saw Haynesworth stomp Gurode's face on TV repeatedly.

 

[Juke99]

Oh I thought Haynesworth should have been Pete Rosed for what he did, don't get me wrong. I was looking for the ultimate punishment, ripping a players helmet off and then repeatedly trying to stab his eye out with your cleet.... he should have never been on the field again.

On the nosey.

 

[burmafrd]

As things were at the time, Goodel could not do much more then he did with Haynesworth- but the FIVE game suspension (thought it was four) was the LONGEST suspension for an on field incident ever. I guess that was a hint for what was to come.
I have to laugh at these people whinning about due process. Unlike our mess of a court system, things are a lot simpler in the NFL. No fancy lawyers arguing technicalities are going to get you off. Pacman and Henry were the easy calls since they had really been blatant about misbehaving. The Morals clause that is still in the NFL players contract gives the NFL all the rights it needs to suspend any player at any time. When you act dumb, you are going to pay for it- THAT is what the message of today is.

 

[Hostile]

Even the due process was'nt violated. As the commissioner gave Pacman a chance to present his case, and then made his decision on the evidence given. The fact that pacman refuses to stay out of trouble got him a suspension. Goodell said it right, the NFL is a privilege not a right. And to many times a player thinks that hes so good, hes above the law. Pacman might be able to get around the law enforcement, but if hes no longer employed by the NFL. Then he will no longer have that protection, and then he might decide to get his head out of his butt, and follow the got dang rules.

His lawyers will argue that the Commissioner is not a Judge, and therefore was not afforded "Due Process." I'm not saying they are right. Just telling you what they will do and how they will fight it.

 

[Hostile]

Do I detect a legal scholar? Hos is a man of many talents.

As far as my opinion goes, I'm wondering if Goodell jumped the gun a little bit. I applaud the suspension, because a business has a right to dictate how it's employees act to a certain extent... But if Pacman is later convicted, then what? Will there be a steeper punishment to come?

I considered going to Law School. I love the Law. I regret that i never followed through after a 169 on the LSAT.

:bang2:

 

[theogt]

Due Process is a restriction against the government. The NFL is not the government.

 

[superpunk]

I think his point is that the on/off field dinstiction is surprising, particularly when on-field actions are televised to millions of viewers. Do kids know that Henry was arrested recently for driving with an invalid license? No, but they saw Haynesworth stomp Gurode's face on TV repeatedly.

Precisely. I don't watch the NFL because I give a darn about what these guys do on their own time, and I'm not gonna get a banana in my butt just because they're getting arrested. I understand they have to maintain some decorum, and keep these guys in line, but this is too far, IMO.

I do however watch to see the product on the field. I have never been so completely disgusted as when I saw what Haynesworth did, and he's a guy who had a history of this behavior. But week 10, there he was playing on the field again.

Merriman violates all principles of fair sport, and 4 games later, there he is, dancing like a ******.

Give me a break with this dance.

 

[burmafrd]

When a player signs his nfl contract, he agrees to accept certain terms and conditions. One of those is agreeing to abide by the decisions of the Commissioner. There is nothing he can do as regards the NFL. Now he can try and go to an outside court, but his case is pretty weak by anyones standards. He HAS held the NFL up for ridicule and bad publicity, which could threaten the league as regards revenue. He HAS NO CASE.

 

[jrumann59]

The thing is I think he is trying to set a precedence, he set it high knowing he probably will negotiate down if there is too much of a firestorm, if not talk about a deterent a couple millions in lost income. When is he going to banish Leonard Little.

 

[adamknite]

I think his point is that the on/off field dinstiction is surprising, particularly when on-field actions are televised to millions of viewers. Do kids know that Henry was arrested recently for driving with an invalid license? No, but they saw Haynesworth stomp Gurode's face on TV repeatedly.

Like I said, I thought Haynesworth's punishment was too soft, I was just pointing out that compared to what others were punished for on the field actions that he got over twice the sentence. There have been plenty of players who have been suspended a year for doing something stupid off he field be it failing a drug test or what not. Jones may have not been arrested ten times like I said, but he has been arrested before and he has been in a lot of other incidents and has been basically just getting wrist slaps. How many times does the headline have to read "Pacman Jones allegedly involved in incident at night/stripclup" before it becomes clear it isn't a coincidence.

 

[sjordan6]

What alot of you guys have to understand is that before now the commish hands were tied because of the old rules of discipline. Haynesworth got a just punishment and next time will probably get banned.

As for the pacman and henry suspensions? Good job commish! If you read the statements then you will see its not about their play but how they conduct themselves and represent the league.

But I want to raise one more question. what about the other repeat offenders who have not been suspended yet? Like Jeremy Stevens and dominic rhodes? Henry is not the only bengal with multiple arrests nor is pacman the only player that stays in trouble. I am anxious to see if he levies anymore suspensions to other players and what about the guys who have cases pending? Remember there were over 50 players to be arrested in the last year. Sure, henry and Pacman probably were the most covered in the media but they are not the only ones.

One last thing that I simply love about the suspension is the fact that these guys are not just suspended but they have to "earn" there way back into the league. Going to counseling and classes and basically going thru the whole shabang to just get back into the league. Now thats punishment! You are not getting paid but you still have to comply if you want back in. Thats is the most beautiful and gorgeous pimple of the face of the new policy. Again great job Goodel!

 

[theogt]

When a player signs his nfl contract, he agrees to accept certain terms and conditions. One of those is agreeing to abide by the decisions of the Commissioner. There is nothing he can do as regards the NFL. Now he can try and go to an outside court, but his case is pretty weak by anyones standards. He HAS held the NFL up for ridicule and bad publicity, which could threaten the league as regards revenue. He HAS NO CASE.

Actually, they also contract into a proceeding for handling appeals. So there is something he can do. I believe the process would be to "appeal" to arbitration, and if the arbibtrator's decision is unsatisfactory, he could file a suit in a federal or state court under the FAA or under state law, and the judge would be able to consider whether the guidelines were sufficient to warrant the suspension. It could then be appealed to the state appellate court or to a federal circuit court, etc.

 

[Big Dakota]

I just don't understand how anyone can defend these guys that act like they do. Even the players want this junk to stop.

 

[WoodysGirl]

It's just overkill, IMO, for a player that is still waiting to undergo the process from the actual law system. I know Goodell wasn't commish, but if he's doing this to these guys just for consistently getting in minor troubles, is he gonna retroactively cut Leonard Little's nads off?

I don't think any punishment can be done retroactively. I also think any punishment given will be on a case-by-case basis.

Just too far, IMO. It's skewed, because I am far less concerned about what these people are doing off the field than on the field, but I would think guys like Haynesworth would garner the steeper punishment, doing something in plain view on TV, that was just disgusting. I am far more inline with how the NHL treated Marty McSorley and Chris Simon than this charade.

Fix the steroid and substance abuse problems - don't put on this show for your conservative conglomerate who are tired of seeing these guys getting in trouble off the field. It's all about what matters to you more, I think. I just don't care what Pac-man is doing off the field. I'm pretty content to just let the legal system do what it will to him, without punishing him, the team, and the fans.

On field actions should be treated more harshly than off-field. But these guys are being disciplined for their body of work off the field...and they haven't been previously sanctioned by the NFL for anything.

And while you, as a fan, is not concerned by their off-field actions, these teams pay alot of money to these guys who are not handling themselves in a professional manner, nor are they displaying a certain amount of responsibility that is expected of an adult.

I just don't know how many companies wouldn't discipline their employees after the number of incidents that some of these guys have been involved in.