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

[CouchCoach]

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

It is going to be a doozy with many arguing points. And the one thing that has not happened that would really grind the gears is a cap plateau or drop.

These ridiculous salaries are climbing because the cap increases. What happens when that stops and the QB is taking down 30M of the cap and the salaries for other positions start to decline?

The only thing that will be of more interest to me are the negotiations for the rights fees between the TV nets, subscription like Netflix and Roku and the online behemoths like Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, The cap is directly tied to the rights fees.

My question is when does the law of diminishing returns kick in and is there a hard ceiling? The TV ratings are down but a greater concern is the younger generation not connecting to the NFL. That is the future and they started losing 18-34 males several years ago.

The one variable is all of this is how will these states offering sports betting affect the interest in the game? Will that offer a boost?

 

[Nightman]

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.

I believe wholeheartedly that GHardy and EE got played by drama queens looking to hook a husband/lottery ticket

But they got hit hard to send a message that went right over everyone else's heads

To risk you livelihood over hitting women, smoking weed and doing PEDs is beyond stupid and I have 0 patience or sympathy

If Goodell is unfair or biased then it doesn't show to me.....DAL, NE, PITT, CLE, SF, WAS, PHI, NYG have all been hit pretty hard

 

[Tass]

The only place I would disagree is with anyone thinking PEDs should be allowed. All that does if it were allowed is set a standard that our youth needs to consider. When should they start? Not a good idea.

They should start once the growth plates in their skeletons have closed. Make the rules state that they can't start using PEDs until age 18. That should cover most men.

 

[OmerV]

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...

Without a doubt the system isn't ideal, but the Ray Rice incident cannot be used to show that things aren't always handled the same as they were then because the Ray Raice incident (and the Peterson incident) are a big reason why things are handled differently. The NFL isn't trying to be consistent with how they handled those cases.

At the end of the day, the biggest flaw is not really with the system - a system with punishment handed down, but with the opportunity to appeal is basically a reasonable plan - but with the fact that the NFL lets public opinion, advocacy groups, and whatever the influences of the moment are dictate how they use, or misuse the system. They are trying to appease everyone, and as we know, that often means nobody is appeased.

 

[Kaiser]

If Goodell is unfair or biased then it doesn't show to me.....DAL, NE, PITT, CLE, SF, WAS, PHI, NYG have all been hit pretty hard

I agree with the sentiment, but when did the Giants get hit hard?

 

[Bobhaze]

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

Who said anything about being “discreet”? I just want them to be fair and consistent.

 

[Diehardblues]

....and so is the gutless commish.

Commish is just doing what the owners want.

 

[Diehardblues]

Well they should not have given him open ended power like that but the specific policies are the product of NFL offices.

Somebody has to have the power.

 

[cowboyec]

Commish is just doing what the owners want.

dont doubt it.
but he is still an empty-suited,ill-equipped,gutless commish.
a disgrace to the leagacy of Pete Rozelle.
just my opinion but no doubt...he is the owners pet...an xpensive one.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Somebody has to have the power.

No, they don't. Unlimited power is not necessary for successful discipline. That is an argument that loyalists used to make against those that sought democracy 200+ years ago.

Limited power in leadership is sustainable. Unlimited is not because a stooge like Goodell is always going to come along.

 

[Diehardblues]

It is going to be a doozy with many arguing points. And the one thing that has not happened that would really grind the gears is a cap plateau or drop.

These ridiculous salaries are climbing because the cap increases. What happens when that stops and the QB is taking down 30M of the cap and the salaries for other positions start to decline?

The only thing that will be of more interest to me are the negotiations for the rights fees between the TV nets, subscription like Netflix and Roku and the online behemoths like Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, The cap is directly tied to the rights fees.

My question is when does the law of diminishing returns kick in and is there a hard ceiling? The TV ratings are down but a greater concern is the younger generation not connecting to the NFL. That is the future and they started losing 18-34 males several years ago.

The one variable is all of this is how will these states offering sports betting affect the interest in the game? Will that offer a boost?

Great questions .

We just got back from Oklahoma casino trip and no info or word on Sports Betting. I’m Not sure how much this is going to be implemented nationwide? At least before this season.

States have to pass new legislation . Jersey appears only one ready to go.

 

[TheGoat73]

Maybe the Players should stop doing drugs and committing crimes........just a thought

But they all won’t. That’s too much for you to expect. Bunch of young dudes with satchels of cash who bang their heads together a lot.

It’s not too much to expect the league to demonstrate some consistency.

 

[TheGoat73]

No, they don't. Unlimited power is not necessary for successful discipline. That is an argument that loyalists used to make against those that sought democracy 200+ years ago.

Limited power in leadership is sustainable. Unlimited is not because a stooge like Goodell is always going to come along.

A stooge will always come along and act like he has unlimited power. Always. That’s when people have to refuse to stand for it.

 

[Diehardblues]

No, they don't. Unlimited power is not necessary for successful discipline. That is an argument that loyalists used to make against those that sought democracy 200+ years ago.

Limited power in leadership is sustainable. Unlimited is not because a stooge like Goodell is always going to come along.

Y’all act like this is about Goodell. It’s about the Owners giving the power to him and the players signing off on it.

I don’t understand why fans are so fussy about. Yes, if one of our players screw up it hurts. But that’s on the player. They know the rules going in.

 

[OmerV]

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

Like Coach said, it all comes down to money, and there are things the players will concede to maintain their share of the money.

I think another point is that everyone recognizes that an employer cannot give up the right to discipline employees. The question is simply is there a better way that will be fair. Obviously there is no system that everyone that gets disciplined will think is fair to them - that's an age old employer/employee issue.

In general, having an appeals process is big for players, because in the real world there is no appeals process. But if there is going to be an appeals process, for that process to be considered fair it can't be under the 100% control of the party that made the initial ruling.

 

[Diehardblues]

The NFL is a privileged society. You have to earn the right and then be selected for an opportunity.

It’s Sports Entertainment at the highest level.

The Billionaires involved be it ownership , networks and sponsors who will be investing hundreds of millions in each team ever year have the right to set policies however they choose with the cooperation of the Players Union.

I think fans lose face sometimes sitting at home lounging on the couch cheering their team of fantasy players this isn’t and hasn’t been for a long time just a game for us to enjoy on Sunday afternoon drinking a beer and eating pizza.

This is a serious multi billion dollar business. These aren’t just jocks or athletes. These are sports commodities worth millions with billions at stake.

If you just want to enjoy a friendly football game without all of politics and business involved I’d suggest heading out to watch your favorite local school.

 

[northerncowboynation]

It is going to be a doozy with many arguing points. And the one thing that has not happened that would really grind the gears is a cap plateau or drop.

These ridiculous salaries are climbing because the cap increases. What happens when that stops and the QB is taking down 30M of the cap and the salaries for other positions start to decline?

The only thing that will be of more interest to me are the negotiations for the rights fees between the TV nets, subscription like Netflix and Roku and the online behemoths like Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, The cap is directly tied to the rights fees.

My question is when does the law of diminishing returns kick in and is there a hard ceiling? The TV ratings are down but a greater concern is the younger generation not connecting to the NFL. That is the future and they started losing 18-34 males several years ago.

The one variable is all of this is how will these states offering sports betting affect the interest in the game? Will that offer a boost?

Yes, the TV ratings are down and that sucks for the networks like CBS,NBC, ABC and FOX but in all honesty TV ratings are down across the board especially for the the group younger than 30 or 35. When my kids are here they never watch network TV and we watch what they like because, we actually prefer it to BS reality TV and very bad network TV. IMO, live streaming and working with companies like Amazon and Google is the future for the NFL.

My concern isn't over that stuff at all. I'm concerned about a certain stance on a topic we can't talk about on here, and CTE. Head injuries are not getting lessened and concussion protocol only prevents further injury during the game it happened in, occasionally carrying over to the next game. In no way is the league addressing personal safety. Another huge issue will be how the league disciplines players, how they arrive at the discipline and somehow standardizing. And we all know the NFLPA will ask for a bigger piece of profits. They may cave on the real issues just to keep a bigger piece.

Whatever happens, I see it being nasty, potential strike and season ending combined with probable long term implications

 

[Diehardblues]

Yes, the TV ratings are down and that sucks for the networks like CBS,NBC, ABC and FOX but in all honesty TV ratings are down across the board especially for the the group younger than 30 or 35. When my kids are here they never watch network TV and we watch what they like because, we actually prefer it to BS reality TV and very bad network TV. IMO, live streaming and working with companies like Amazon and Google is the future for the NFL.

My concern isn't over that stuff at all. I'm concerned about a certain stance on a topic we can't talk about on here, and CTE. Head injuries are not getting lessened and concussion protocol only prevents further injury during the game it happened in, occasionally carrying over to the next game. In no way is the league addressing personal safety. Another huge issue will be how the league disciplines players, how they arrive at the discipline and somehow standardizing. And we all know the NFLPA will ask for a bigger piece of profits. They may cave on the real issues just to keep a bigger piece.

Whatever happens, I see it being nasty, potential strike and season ending combined with probable long term implications

Great points!!

Yea, overall TV viewership is down much more than NFL viewership. You rarely see that included with these reports. It’s just taken longer to effect live sports.

NFL is still the most watched programming on TV.

 

[northerncowboynation]

Great points!!

Yea, overall TV viewership is down much more than NFL viewership. You rarely see that included with these reports. It’s just taken longer to effect life sports.

NFL is still the most watched programming on TV.

agreed. We make the declining TV ratings about things like the NFL. It's not. It's about very bad programming, TV that is boring,repetitious, old and not socially redeeming in any way. I mean they even brought back old hag Roseann Barr

 

[Diehardblues]

agreed. We make the declining TV ratings about things like the NFL. It's not. It's about very bad programming, TV that is boring,repetitious, old and not socially redeeming in any way. I mean they even brought back old hag Roseann Barr

I thought it was more about additional choices of entertainment with new technology and options to view programming?