News: PFT: NFL announces Harold Henderson will handle Ezekiel Elliott appeal

[Silver Surfer]

I fault him for leading an organization that intentionally swept the Ray Rice DV under the rug until it became a public outcry.

I fault him for turning the NFL into a witch hunt afterward to try to make up for the bad PR.

I fault him for being John Mara's lickspittle and setting up Zeke Elliot to be suspended for the Giants game - just because the Giants owner doesn't want to face him.

One like for the word "lickspittle". I don't know what it means, but I do like what it implies.

 

[Reality]

Not really. He is letting his deputy handle it in order to establish the appearance of propriety. People can judge for themselves if it will be effective.

That's what "running from this" means

Goodell wants to be able to say, "I suspended him and someone else reversed or reduced it" .. And that someone else being Harold Henderson or eventually the courts.

 

[Stash]

Exactly! This isn't just about missing games nor is it all about football money. If he does not fight this, then a past or future girl friend or date thinks she can get a pay day, he will be a much easier target as long as he has domestic violence ruling of any kind against him. This could cost him a year or more of football, which is already very limited for most running backs, and more importantly, it will kill endorsement deals he has and would have been able to get.

To say nothing of the precedent it sets for each and every money-grubbing nutcase to score an easy meal ticket.

Every player in the league should be invested in this case, because if Elliott goes down based on the evidence we've seen? You're next!

 

[Stash]

Could be tricky. If Harold Henderson waits to make a decision until the end of the day on Friday before the Giants game, there's no time for an injunction.

I don't think that's possible.

 

[MRV52]

Could be tricky. If Harold Henderson waits to make a decision until the end of the day on Friday before the Giants game, there's no time for an injunction.

Your are right. I hope that we can get it in on time but Henderson and the rest of the crooks are going to leave it till the last second.

 

[Reality]

To say nothing of the precedent it sets for each and every money-grubbing nutcase to score an easy meal ticket.

Every player in the league should be invested in this case, because if Elliott goes down based on the evidence we've seen? You're next!

And therein lies the real issue that some fans have pointed out but players really need to understand while they're talking about "helping Elliott mature" and such. If it turns out that he did nothing at all, this will be an eye-opener for a lot of opportunists out there and not just women as it could potentially make every player a target for a variety of accusations.

 

[links18]

That's what "running from this" means

Goodell wants to be able to say, "I suspended him and someone else reversed or reduced it" .. And that someone else being Harold Henderson or eventually the courts.

OK, man I am just ready for some football!@!@! Seems like you need a law degree to be an NFL fan these days, though.

 

[Stash]

And therein lies the real issue that some fans have pointed out but players really need to understand while they're talking about "helping Elliott mature" and such. If it turns out that he did nothing at all, this will be an eye-opener for a lot of opportunists out there and not just women as it could potentially make every player a target for a variety of accusations.

Sure.

The player's word obviously carries no weight compared to the accuser, no matter what a prove liar she is, along with the NFL's need to "fix things".

 

[jrumann59]

I think the suspension gets reduced to 2 games now. One for the St. Paddy's day incident and one to let Zeke know he isn't infallible.

as long as they state that I have no problem with it but if I were Zeke I would not take 2 games for DV.

 

[Daillest88]

Even if it gets knocked down somehow to 1 game or 2 games, he has to fight this out. The NFL would look dumb as hell if they lowered it to only a couple games. It's either 6 games or 0 , admit your mistake NFL , by holding on to this will only look more foolish

 

[Screw The Hall]

To say nothing of the precedent it sets for each and every money-grubbing nutcase to score an easy meal ticket.

Every player in the league should be invested in this case, because if Elliott goes down based on the evidence we've seen? You're next!

That's why this has to be seen all the way through now, regardless of the outcome. This is bigger than Zeke now. This is about exposing the hypocritical entity that is the NFL and showing just how deep the incompetence runs with these idiots.

 

[Doomsday101]

This is BS, this should be done by someone who is has no bias for the player or the league and based on all facts. Zeke and Jones as well as NFLPA should be demanding an independent review the appeal.

 

[Alexander]

Even if it gets knocked down somehow to 1 game or 2 games, he has to fight this out. The NFL would look dumb as hell if they lowered it to only a couple games. It's either 6 games or 0 , admit your mistake NFL , by holding on to this will only look more foolish

I disagree.

He has zero chance of winning outright, regardless of what he presents. If the idea is to fight the commissioner's authority to suspend him, it is irrelevant. The CBA gives him all the authority he needs to suspend, even on just suspicion.

If it gets drastically reduced, he should take it and move on.

I get the idea is to fight, but the NFL has far more leverage on this in terms of legality. It is a rigged table and expecting to hit on one is next to impossible.

Brady strung it out and eventually had to cave in. I don't think dragging this out is in Elliott's or our best interest.

 

[Playmaker247]

How long does it take after the hearing to announce a decision?

 

[Alexander]

This is BS, this should be done by someone who is has no bias for the player or the league and based on all facts. Zeke and Jones as well as NFLPA should be demanding an independent review the appeal.

Again, a rigged table. The CBA is the overruling factor. It should be an independent review. But it will never be under the agreement.

 

[Doomsday101]

Again, a rigged table. The CBA is the overruling factor. It should be an independent review. But it will never be under the agreement.

This is why they will not hand it over to an independent

When NFL commissioner Roger Goodell appointed Henderson as the lead arbitrator on the controversial Adrian Peterson case last year, the NFL Players Association was quick to voice its concerns. The NFLPA released a statement questioning Henderson’s ability to see the case from an un-biased angle after years as a top NFL executive:

A long-time NFL Executive and current legal consultant cannot, by definition, be a neutral arbitrator.

The NFL had appointed Hendrson despite requests from the NFLPA for a neutral third-party arbitrator. The move was particularly questionable considering the league had done just that during the Ray Rice case, appointing U.S. Judge Barbara Jones. However Jones required Goodell to testify during the appeal, much to the commissioner’s objections.

http://heavy.com/sports/2015/07/har...-appeal-reduced-suspension-nfl-roger-goodell/

 

[Alexander]

I don't think the Cowboys are "cool" with any suspension either. Because you're then looking at a "face of the franchise" labeled a "woman beater". Not cool.

They have to run that risk though. He has already been labeled a "woman beater", the damage is done as far as that front goes. A lot of people already think that since he was suspended that he beat up this poor innocent woman.

Henderson's decision will not clear him and reverse that label in the court of public opinion. It is just not how this operates.

The best interests of the team also matter. Getting him back in 2 games versus 6 games is a victory, if even it tarnishes Elliott's reputation.

 

[ilykdrama]

Meaningless prelude to court.

That's where this is ending up. Mark it.

 

[Stash]

They have to run that risk though. He has already been labeled a "woman beater", the damage is done as far as that front goes. A lot of people already think that since he was suspended that he beat up this poor innocent woman.

Henderson's decision will not clear him and reverse that label in the court of public opinion. It is just not how this operates.

The best interests of the team also matter. Getting him back in 2 games versus 6 games is a victory, if even it tarnishes Elliott's reputation.

I don't see how 2 games is better than 0 games.

0 games is vindication, 2 games is guilt.

 

[Alexander]

That's where this is ending up. Mark it.

And if it goes that far, it will likely end up just like Brady with him relenting. I don't see what the difference is having him get it out of the way now or 2018.

Thankfully, the gears of justice turn slowly. If it could be assured it is tied up in court through February, I would be all for it.

But you never know. I would have a real issue with him fighting, losing and then depending on the timing miss games late in the year.