Inadequate suspension = no deterrent - New England Patriots Forums

ironwasp · 09-01-2007, 01:42 AM

I know HGH is not in the same class as anabolic steroids, but substance abuse is substance and, I'm sorry, but a four game suspension is an entirely inadequate punishment from the NFL. Rodney should be banned for 12 months minimum, justy as Merriman should have been.

Goodell's worked really hard this off season to clean the NFL's act up with regards behaviour off the field, but this is as serious as the gun-toting, the DUIs and all the rest of it and should be treated as such.

The vast majority of professional sports from track and field through cycling to rugby and soccer have a minimum 12-month suspension for substance abuse, and until the NFL treats this issue with the seriousness it deserves it will continue to have a problem.

The message this sends to other players is: go ahead, take the risk, because even in the worst case scenario you're only going to miss four games.

I've loved Rodney as a Patriot, but he realy shouldn't be in our uniform this season.

***Deus Irae*** · 09-01-2007, 01:45 AM

The penalties are laid out in the CBA. What was given is appropriate for the conduct according to that agreement.

***DarrylS*** · 09-01-2007, 01:47 AM

Admittedly I have not read everything on this yet, but my initial reaction is one of shock.. with that being said, as far as the penalty goes it appears that this is comparable to some type of plea bargain. The NFL does not test for HGH, so Rodney could have said it was for a cousin or something like that. Just because he bought it, does not necessarily mean he used it.. his admission of responsibility if refreshing and not unexpected from this man.

PATRIOT64 · 09-01-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironwasp

I know HGH is not in the same class as anabolic steroids, but substance abuse is substance and, I'm sorry, but a four game suspension is an entirely inadequate punishment from the NFL. Rodney should be banned for 12 months minimum, justy as Merriman should have been.

Goodell's worked really hard this off season to clean the NFL's act up with regards behaviour off the field, but this is as serious as the gun-toting, the DUIs and all the rest of it and should be treated as such.

The vast majority of professional sports from track and field through cycling to rugby and soccer have a minimum 12-month suspension for substance abuse, and until the NFL treats this issue with the seriousness it deserves it will continue to have a problem.

The message this sends to other players is: go ahead, take the risk, because even in the worst case scenario you're only going to miss four games.

I've loved Rodney as a Patriot, but he realy shouldn't be in our uniform this season.

I think any violation of any NFL policy that of course any player has had to go through in a very knowlegable way and knows every violation should be for a 1 year minimum if not more depending on previous records of these incidents.

I think Rodney may decide to retire with a sudden decision upcoming..I really do and would not be surprised if indeed this happened before the end of September.

I just think he has too much pride and has worked too hard in this business to just go back to the locker room to face the guys and face the fans like it never happened,Rodney is a unique character unlike many others before him who have screwed up and came back,He may not..we will see

ironwasp · 09-01-2007, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

The penalties are laid out in the CBA. What was given is appropriate for the conduct according to that agreement.

I understand that, and my point is not really about Rodney per se. THis is the same argument I put forward here last year after Merriman. The CBA needs changing. If you want an example of what happens to a sport that either turns a blind eye or treats substance abusers leniently look at the Tour De France, which is now in tatters because the doping is utterly out of control and the sport has lost the confidence of its supporters.

***Deus Irae*** · 09-01-2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironwasp

I understand that, and my point is not really about Rodney per se. THis is the same argument I put forward here last year after Merriman. The CBA needs changing. If you want an example of what happens to a sport that either turns a blind eye or treats substance abusers leniently look at the Tour De France, which is now in tatters because the doping is utterly out of control and the sport has lost the confidence of its supporters.

Yes, the CBA does need changing. The power of the Commissioner to pull this nonsense regarding suspensions needs to be stripped completely away, and drug testing should not be permitted unless some heightened status (reasonable suspicion/probable cause) can be proven. This needs to be done by an independent 3rd party.

As for the Tour, the reason it's in tatters is not because it's turning a blind eye, but because there are so many getting caught because the sport is NOT turning a blind eye. Baseball certainly wasn't in tatters when the Commissioner was turning a blind eye to Bonds and company: quite the opposite in fact, it probably saved the sport. The 'problems' in baseball didn't begin until the congressional hearings.

Look, I'm opposed to the use of illegal drugs by players of any sport, and I'm also opposed to the use of any drugs agreed upon by the players in conjunction with the league. But, I'm also tired of seeing people surrender their rights.

zippo59 · 09-01-2007, 02:36 AM

Didn't the league want to make the suspension longer but the union wouldn't let them?

BadMoFo · 09-01-2007, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

Yes, the CBA does need changing. The power of the Commissioner to pull this nonsense regarding suspensions needs to be stripped completely away, and drug testing should not be permitted unless some heightened status (reasonable suspicion/probable cause) can be proven. This needs to be done by an independent 3rd party.

As for the Tour, the reason it's in tatters is not because it's turning a blind eye, but because there are so many getting caught because the sport is NOT turning a blind eye. Baseball certainly wasn't in tatters when the Commissioner was turning a blind eye to Bonds and company: quite the opposite in fact, it probably saved the sport. The 'problems' in baseball didn't begin until the congressional hearings.

Look, I'm opposed to the use of illegal drugs by players of any sport, and I'm also opposed to the use of any drugs agreed upon by the players in conjunction with the league. But, I'm also tired of seeing people surrender their rights.

The NFL and Commissioner Goodell are cleaning up the sport and all the people who have given it a bad name. I don't think we should start criticizing him now because it's one of our guys who is in trouble. Rodney admitted that he has used HGH for two years to recover from his injuries. It's not like he just got caught this week buying the stuff.

***Deus Irae*** · 09-01-2007, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadMoFo

The NFL and Commissioner Goodell are cleaning up the sport and all the people who have given it a bad name. I don't think we should start criticizing him now because it's one of our guys who is in trouble. Rodney admitted that he has used HGH for two years to recover from his injuries. It's not like he just got caught this week buying the stuff.

I've criticized Goodell over more than just Patriot issues, although I'm not sure if I've done any of that on posts here. He's been terrible, in my opinion. I never thought I'd be longing for Tagliabue so soon after his departure.

BadMoFo · 09-01-2007, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

I've criticized Goodell over more than just Patriot issues, although I'm not sure if I've done any of that on posts here. He's been terrible, in my opinion. I never thought I'd be longing for Tagliabue so soon after his departure.

And what exactly is wrong with Goodell in his brief time as Commish? He is ridding the league of troublemakers and cheaters. How is that a bad thing?