Goodell to Enforce Stiff Penalties

[The Wolf]

According to Yahoo Sports:

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Av6c...o&type=lgns

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is leaning toward indefinitely suspending former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress(notes) and continuing to sideline quarterback Michael Vick(notes), three sources with knowledge of the situations have indicated. Such moves would be the latest examples of Goodell’s tough stance on players embroiled in off-field issues as evidenced with the suspension of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth(notes) earlier this month.

 

Stallworth has been ruled out indefinitely by the league after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter in the death of a Miami man in March. Stallworth was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years of house arrest and reached a financial settlement with the family of the late Mario Reyes.

 

According to a source with the Giants, the league and another that’s close to Vick, Goodell figures to take a similar stance with the quarterback and Burress. Vick, a former starter for the Atlanta Falcons, is scheduled to be released from federal confinement on July 20 after serving 20 months for his part in a dog-fighting ring. A source indicated there was a reasonable likelihood that Vick, suspended indefinitely by the league in August 2007, will not be allowed to play this season and certainly not be with a team in training camp.

 

Goodell has said multiple times that he wants to see Vick show remorse for his actions. That means Vick may have to follow a strict path of behavior before he’s allowed to return.

 

“[Vick] is not just walking out one day and playing again,” the source close to Vick said. “I don’t know if he understands that yet, but that’s what it looks like right now if you really pay attention. … Yeah, he served his time, but he has to prove himself. When the commissioner talks about wanting to see remorse, he’s not kidding.”

 

By contrast, Burress has yet to be indicted on charges that he possessed and fired an unregistered gun in a New York City nightclub in November. However, the slow development of Burress’ case – adjourned until September and could be delayed until March, according to Burress’ lawyer Benjamin Brafman – may not keep him from being punished by the NFL.

 

His refusal to accept jail time as part of a plea bargain in the case that resulted in a self-inflicted gun wound and could be punishable by as much as 3½ years has irritated Goodell and others within the NFL, according to the league source.

 

That situation has left Burress’ status up in the air. Agent Drew Rosenhaus said as many as five teams have contacted him about signing Burress. However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have said they are not interested in the receiver and most teams are still in a holding pattern when it comes to making a real offer because of the unclear status of Burress with the league and the legal system.

 

“The commissioner would rather have the prosecutors take some action before he does anything, but he’s prepared to do something regardless if he has to,” the league source said.

 

We've probably known this was coming but it is the first I have seen that he is prepared to rule on the Burress case without the legal process running its course.

[WaterMan]

“[Vick] is not just walking out one day and playing again,” the source close to Vick said. “I don’t know if he understands that yet, but that’s what it looks like right now if you really pay attention. … Yeah, he served his time, but he has to prove himself. When the commissioner talks about wanting to see remorse, he’s not kidding.”

 

Sounds like this source is just rattling his opinion.

[vonromig]

Goodell is a two-faced wussy moron. He gives out punishments for players who act stupid outside the realm of football, but does nothing when a coach is caught cheating (except for a who-knows draft pick and a fine that means even less).

 

If Goodell was consistent he should have banned Belicheat indefinitely. At least his actions had a direct effect on the integrity of the game... not the stupidity of the individual player. Also Goodell helps in trying to cover up the scandel by destroying the evidence before anyone else can see it. This tells me that the films were much more than reported...

 

Goodell is an idiot and Belcheat should not be allowed to coach.

[Flip_Side]

Goodell is a tool. Vick served his time, who are you to say he should show remorse and how can you judge someone's remorse in the first place?

[cdrudge]

Goodell is a two-faced wussy

I agree that Goodell is a wussy. And I like to criticize all things Patriots as much as anyone. But give it up on the Spygate. It was 2 years ago. Move on.

 

Goodell needs to grow a set a balls and just give out swiff punishment once the facts are reasonably known. This isn't criminal court. There is no "reasonable doubt". Did Vick commit multiple felonies for involvement in dog fighting? Undisputed. C-ya you'll never play again. Did Burress shoot himself in his own leg at a public nightclub? I don't think any of that can be disputed. Minimum 1 year suspension if not more. If he gets convicted for more (e.g. lying to investigators) then more can be tacked on later. Stallworth pleads guilty to DUI Manslaughter with both alcohol and Josh Gordon . Lifetime suspension for killing someone, accidentally or not.

 

All three of these could have been easily prevented with better personal choices. Send the message that you get one change. You screw it up and you easily can lose the privlege to be a professional player forever.

[BeeR]

Agree on all counts. This "Goodell tough guy" BS is just that. I fully expect him to give more lip service than anything about Vick or anyone else regarding a so-called tough stance. Yeah right......he's full of it. Expect plenty more limp-wristed "discipline" because the inmates still run the asylum.

Edited July 4, 2009 by BeeR