News: The NFL’s System of Discipline Is An Absolute Joke

[Kaiser]

Excellent points. The NFL seems more concerned about “being tough” with discipline instead of being fair.

There is no question it is PR driven, especially when you look at the huge shift in the NFL's stance toward DV. It was a non-issue for the league until they "misplaced" video evidence of Ray Rice punching his wife in the face. Then the "next man up" was Greg Hardy and they gave him ten times the punishment they gave Rice even though the DA refused to press charges and the accusor had zero credibility.

But prior to that, the Giants Kicker Brown had to be physically pulled away from his wife by team security at a team hotel and that warranted a one game suspension.

 

[Diehardblues]

The players are at fault for allowing this system in the CBA. The owners are too shortsighted to see that the current system, while designed to keep the image of the league clean, actually has the opposite effect.

Why would 99% of the players give up anything to protect this problem 1%?

 

[Kaiser]

Who wants them to be discreet with criminals? I don't

You don't, but you have strike some kind of balance between disciplining a player based on real evidence vs waiting a year or so for everything to wind through the Court system and be proven. You need real standards and you need consistent punishment - and right now the NFL has neither.

 

[Diehardblues]

There is no question it is PR driven, especially when you look at the huge shift in the NFL's stance toward DV. It was a non-issue for the league until they "misplaced" video evidence of Ray Rice punching his wife in the face. Then the "next man up" was Greg Hardy and they gave him ten times the punishment they gave Rice even though the DA refused to press charges and the accusor had zero credibility.

But prior to that, the Giants Kicker Brown had to be physically pulled away from his wife by team security at a team hotel and that warranted a one game suspension.

Absolutely correct !!

It’s all about public perception that the league is taking action.

If the league was truly intent on cleaning it up they’d ban them not just suspend allowing them a path to return.

 

[Diehardblues]

You don't, but you have strike some kind of balance between disciplining a player based on real evidence vs waiting a year or so for everything to wind through the Court system and be proven. You need real standards and you need consistent punishment - and right now the NFL has neither.

The league isn’t really interested in anything but saving face in the public perception.

It isn’t about due course of law, etc. Goodell is like the Soup ****. Lol

 

[CouchCoach]

This is the fault of the NFLPA for accepting how this is handled in order to keep their % of the take. It always comes back to the money. The owners acquiesce on practices and put a crappy product on the field at the beginning of the season because of the money. No one wants to give up a % so they bargain on everything else.

The NFL should set up a third party entity including a sitting judge to hand down all disciplinary action and take themselves completely out of it.

The part about the PED's and pot is not going to change. Since they began with the bans on PED's, if they relaxed it, they would be liable and that's their second moist important item. Money, liability and liability means money. Until the federal pot law is eliminated, the NFL will do nothing to get their buddy in DC to tweet about them. I am not even sure they could reduce the games without some flak.

The other pro sports are smarter than the NFL and realize if they don't create a rule, they don't have to catch flak for dumping it.

But this disciplinary action affects such a small % of the rosters of the NFL, it really isn't an issue to them. We get bent because the Cowboys always seem to have a player out on suspension but do we not invite that? That's like Booger getting players like this and then trying to get the rules changed. What a joke.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

The NFL is the one that pushed for it. Sure the NFLPA accepted it but to say that only the players are to be held accountable is unreasonable IMO.

And then of course it is Goodell and his office that actually administer the process. Sure the NFLPA opened the door but that does not excuse this asinine process in place right now.

I understand what you are saying. But the system as it is got little push back from the NFLPA during bargaining.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

Why would 99% of the players give up anything to protect this problem 1%?

Because there is no burden of proof and that can impact any player at any time.

 

[Diehardblues]

This is the fault of the NFLPA for accepting how this is handled in order to keep their % of the take. It always comes back to the money. The owners acquiesce on practices and put a crappy product on the field at the beginning of the season because of the money. No one wants to give up a % so they bargain on everything else.

The NFL should set up a third party entity including a sitting judge to hand down all disciplinary action and take themselves completely out of it.

The part about the PED's and pot is not going to change. Since they began with the bans on PED's, if they relaxed it, they would be liable and that's their second moist important item. Money, liability and liability means money. Until the federal pot law is eliminated, the NFL will do nothing to get their buddy in DC to tweet about them. I am not even sure they could reduce the games without some flak.

The other pro sports are smarter than the NFL and realize if they don't create a rule, they don't have to catch flak for dumping it.

But this disciplinary action affects such a small % of the rosters of the NFL, it really isn't an issue to them. We get bent because the Cowboys always seem to have a player out on suspension but do we not invite that? That's like Booger getting players like this and then trying to get the rules changed. What a joke.

All good stuff and agree with most but my only concern would be this outside judicial system . If the public isn’t satisfied with appropriate discipline there could be an uproar similar to Rice’s lenient punishment especially if a video surfaced later.

Which goes back to the intent of the Conduct Policy. It’s not intended to serve justice. Only to save face with public perception that the league is being tough.

A fair judicial system probably won’t be tough enough. Unfortunately for the sake of protecting the shield some innocent kids falsely accused will have to be punished.

 

[John813]

Well, an interesting case just landed at Goodells feet.

An image of a bloodied woman is all over social media accusing a star NFL player of assault. Some cases, the evidence wasn't shown till after suspension or not at all. Not with this case, and not to mention the alleged abuse to an animal, his son and steroids.

 

[Diehardblues]

Because there is no burden of proof and that can impact any player at any time.

I understand . This is what the owners feel they need to protect their shield. They’re concern is a fair judicial system might not serve the punishment to satisfy public perception they’re being tough enough.

It’s all about protecting the revenue stream not due course of law. And as long as the players aren’t willing to give up money or other concessions to protect this 1% it’s not going to change. It’s the price they’ll pay placing themselves in a compromised situation.

If it effected a larger segment I think we might see the needle move on this but companies nor legislators rarely are motivated to protect 1%.

99% of the players get it. They know when to stop when mandated drug test are coming and at least try not to place themselves in these compromised situations surrounding themselves with less suspect individuals.

One of the first lessons I was taught. Pick your friends wisely or you could be guilty by association. These players need to keep clean for what., 5-10 years on average to set themselves and their family up for the rest of their lives. Looks like most have it figured out.

 

[CouchCoach]

All good stuff and agree with most but my only concern would be this outside judicial system . If the public isn’t satisfied with appropriate discipline there could be an uproar similar to Rice’s lenient punishment especially if a video surfaced later.

Which goes back to the intent of the Conduct Policy. It’s not intended to serve justice. Only to save face with public perception that the league is being tough.

A fair judicial system probably won’t be tough enough. Unfortunately for the sake of protecting the shield some innocent kids falsely accused will have to be punished.

But they remove Goodell and the NFL from the bad guy role. They set up the court with the judge, NFL attorney, the prosecutor, and the NFLPA lawyer for the defendant should it be referred to the NFL Court. How many of these have been appealed to a real judge anyway, start and end there.

What does the NFL shield represent to Americans? $, that is all it is. Who cares about the perception because much of it is negative right now because they are policing their own and to most people, it is inconsistent

Fans just want to watch games, they don't give a damn about the discipline. If it's bad enough, the courts will really deal with it as they did with Carruth, Hernandez and Goodrich for real crimes.

The irony is touching. We watch games played by millionaires for billionaires and we want justice? It is not the fault of the athletes or the sports that they are role models, that speaks to the cracks in the walls of our society.

 

[CouchCoach]

I understand . This is what the owners feel they need to protect their shield. They’re concern is a fair judicial system might not serve the punishment to satisfy public perception they’re being tough enough.

It’s all about protecting the revenue stream not due course of law. And as long as the players aren’t willing to give up money or other concessions to protect this 1% it’s not going to change. It’s the price they’ll pay placing themselves in a compromised situation.

If it effected a larger segment I think we might see the needle move on this but companies nor legislators rarely are motivated to protect 1%.

99% of the players get it. They know when to stop when mandated drug test are coming and at least try not to place themselves in these compromised situations surrounding themselves with less suspect individuals.

One of the first lessons I was taught. Pick your friends wisely or you could be guilty by association. These players need to keep clean for what., 5-10 years on average to set themselves and their family up for the rest of their lives. Looks like most have it figured out.

As far as keeping their nose clean, the vast majority have done so and the ones that do smoke pot, and I think there are many, many of them are smart enough not to get caught.

Our fans rail at the system while we select stupid players. And that idiot tries to change the rules because most of his risks fail.

 

[Diehardblues]

I think the bigger message is to teams who tend to pursue or tolerate these type of risky characters because of their talent level which wouldn’t otherwise make them available to them.

Cowboys have had a history of pursuing them for what could be considered a competitive advantage attempting to fill voids with players who without these character flaws wouldn’t have been available.

I believe this was at least part of why Goodell came down harder on Elliott and of course the Cowboys are only team I believe which has been fined for too many suspended players.

 

[northerncowboynation]

The NFL’s System of Discipline Is An Absolute Joke
http://profootballtalkline.com/nfl-opinion/news/116405/nfl-system-of-discipline-is-joke.html/



On Tuesday night, the NFL announced another round of suspensions pertaining to a variety of conduct issues among players, such as drug use, PED use, and domestic violence. They also announced their denial of Julian Edelman’s appeal of his PED suspension. This dumping of discipline, as well as that of Jameis Winston which was announced earlier in the week, once again demonstrates the NFL’s discipline process to be a complete and utter joke. From arbitrary punishments to baffling social and moral ideals, the NFL’s attempt to administer “justice” across the league is an embarrassment to the game of football and American sports as a whole.

The NFL, like all other professional sports leagues, has a number of rules and restrictions that dictate the behaviors of players both on and off the field, from personal conduct policies to limits on the types of substances that players can put in their bodies (both recreationally and professionally). It is important to note that the NFL is not wrong for implementing these policies. Players should be held up to certain social and moral standards as they are both professionals and role models. In addition, while there are fair and reasonable debates that argue that players should be allowed to utilize some PED’s and some types of recreational drugs (such as marijuana), the NFL is still a private company and is allowed to place these restrictions on their employees if they see fit. The problem is not in these rules themselves, but rather in the bizarre and illogical way in which they are enforced.

Let’s start with the process itself. When an incident occurs with a player, the NFL investigates the situation and then uses the collected evidence to make an informed decision, through which they determine a punishment. Well, sometimes. Other times, such as with Ray Rice, the NFL does not independently or thoroughly investigate the situation at all, instead choosing to simply hear the player’s side of the story and make an arbitrary decision based on one meeting. In situations like this, the league puts absolutely no effort into searching for the truth of the matter, but rather hoping that a quick suspension will be able to push the matter out of people’s minds...

Not disagreeing with you at all BUT remember the fat white cat owners don't want to sully their rep by disciplining their own players themselves. IMO, we would be far more forgiving of our own owner doing the discipline but that's never going to happen. How do you feel about the NFLPA challenging the NFL on the knee thing?

 

[Diehardblues]

As far as keeping their nose clean, the vast majority have done so and the ones that do smoke pot, and I think there are many, many of them are smart enough not to get caught.

Our fans rail at the system while we select stupid players. And that idiot tries to change the rules because most of his risks fail.

Right.

And we should be punished if we are intently pursuing players with these character flaws who are only available because of their history.

I seriously believe it’s an intent to circumvent the system for a competitive advantage. And then like you say try and change the rules.

I think it’s time to start suspending owners.

 

[northerncowboynation]

As far as keeping their nose clean, the vast majority have done so and the ones that do smoke pot, and I think there are many, many of them are smart enough not to get caught.

Our fans rail at the system while we select stupid players. And that idiot tries to change the rules because most of his risks fail.

Who is the idiot in that post Coach? Sorry, should read all but a little hard to follow at times

 

[northerncowboynation]

Right.

And we should be punished if we are intently pursuing players with these character flaws who are only available because of their history.

I seriously believe it’s an intent to circumvent the system for a competitive advantage. And then like you say then try and change the rules.

I think it’s time to start suspending owners.

A few have been ditched recently. JJ will never be suspended, he makes money for the NFL and actually pays a portion of Goody 2 shoes salary.

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

I understand . This is what the owners feel they need to protect their shield. They’re concern is a fair judicial system might not serve the punishment to satisfy public perception they’re being tough enough.

It’s all about protecting the revenue stream not due course of law. And as long as the players aren’t willing to give up money or other concessions to protect this 1% it’s not going to change. It’s the price they’ll pay placing themselves in a compromised situation.

If it effected a larger segment I think we might see the needle move on this but companies nor legislators rarely are motivated to protect 1%.

99% of the players get it. They know when to stop when mandated drug test are coming and at least try not to place themselves in these compromised situations surrounding themselves with less suspect individuals.

One of the first lessons I was taught. Pick your friends wisely or you could be guilty by association. These players need to keep clean for what., 5-10 years on average to set themselves and their family up for the rest of their lives. Looks like most have it figured out.

I don't have any problem making players accountable for their own actions. I'm a big believer in that. And it is true, 99.9 percent of folks who get in trouble just happened to get caught this time and it's part of a pattern, not an outlier. But I still take issue with the league being judge and jury over off-field issues. I know why they do it and why they think they need to do it, but it's actually backfired and they look more incompetent and petty than they do pure of heart.

 

[northerncowboynation]

A few have been ditched recently. JJ will never be suspended, he makes money for the NFL and actually pays a portion of Goody 2 shoes salary.

I know one thing in certainty, the next CBA negotiations are going to be a nightmare to negotiate through if the NFLPA stands on some of their current positions. And they should. HOWEVER there is that money thing right. Money talks, and BS will walk