Is the NFL doing the right thing????

[nhpatsfan]

A proud moment for football fans?? If the NFL does NOT do something how proud can the NFL be of it's actions/non-action? It's a TOTAL nightmare for the NFL PR wise.

I agree. That's the point I was trying to make - maybe I need more caffeine

 

[A.C Vegas]

you can't compare the actions of Vick to PacMan and Tank they were repeat offenders and this is Vick's first time. Let everything run it's course believe me it wouldn't be the first time government went after a big name to shed light on an issue

 

[Pats726]

The NFL doesn't want to jeopardize the fairly unheardof (in a union situation) scope of discretionary authority it has just garnered for this new commissioner. The NFLPA and it members have signed off on it, and to set Vick up as the poster boy to challenge it, to force them to take up his cause, would be devastatingly counterproductive in the long run. Patience grasshoppers, as Box often says...

I agree patience is needed...so suspend him pending an investigation by the NFL. What is wrong with that? These are egregious allegations and the facts of the case are NOT very pleasant. ALive and dead dogs on his property. All kinds of dog fighting equipment there. If the NFL is going to have a policy of conduct, now is the time to use it. Goodell already looks weak making statements that they were not going to suspend him. He could have least said that they were looking into things and would wait until then to decide. By what he has done he looks like his policy is a sham, that it only applies to non-stars etc and worst of all, when actions ARE taken, it looks more like he was pushed into it. There is no strength in a commish that says one ting and changes it quick like the wind. A quick suspension while the NFL looks into things is quite proper given what is known about the case. He looks very weak now. If teh NFLPA wishes to back Vick, I really think they will feel the outrage of many and I do not think they will take that path. There are some things, incidents that are so outrageous that actions are needed.

 

[Pats726]

I agree. That's the point I was trying to make - maybe I need more caffeine

Oh...I agree...early in the AM...maybe I have had too much caffeine..but this is difficult times for the NFL...and I wish the Commish would do something to make the league look better.

 

[nhpatsfan]

Oh...I agree...early in the AM...maybe I have had too much caffeine..but this is difficult times for the NFL...and I wish the Commish would do something to make the league look better.

Me too. I'm making the call.

 

[bevster]

The NFL may have no choice but to ultimately suspend him.

I can just see it now. ATL is playing an away game. "Dog Killer" signs in the crowd. Protestors outside of the stadium holding protests. Vick constantly being asked questions by the media about the dog fighting charges.

It may be for the best that he is suspended, even if it is with pay. A suspension may be necessary to help avoid the circus that is going to take place.

Besides, it is a complete joke how other players are suspended for apparently less offensive conduct. If Vick is not suspended then the other suspensions for Pacman, Henry, et. al. should be rescinded.

 

[Pats726]

It was very easy for the NFL to suspend the Pacman Joneses, the Tank Johnsons, and Chris Henrys. They are unpopular players. The praise Goddell got for it was widespread. It is starting to look like it was a grandstanding PR move, nothing more.

Now when they have one of their marquee guys - a guy on NFL network commericals every commercial break, they are ducking and covering. Vick's been indicted for criminal activity over a 6 year span. Jones if you'll recall had never even been indicted when he was banished for a year (he since has been). Where is the hammer Roger Godell was being praised for weeks ago?

I think da hammer has shrunk and gone away...this is exactly why I am outraged at what the NFL is doing. Duck and cover. I would say suspend him while investigating. What is so wrong with that?? Shows the hammer is there...that these are acts that are serious and HAVE to be dealt with. Remeber, Vick has lied to the Commish as well...apparently that fact should be taken into account as well. At the least, the Commish should have come out strongly against what has gone on, that he was taking it very seriously and that at the time he would not be suspended, but that decisions would be made pending an NFL investigation. OK...not the hammer exactly, but not the
milquetoast type statements coming from the NFL now. The commish looks weak!!

 

[Pats726]

The NFL may have no choice but to ultimately suspend him.

I can just see it now. ATL is playing an away game. "Dog Killer" signs in the crowd. Protestors outside of the stadium holding protests. Vick constantly being asked questions by the media about the dog fighting charges.

It may be for the best that he is suspended, even if it is with pay. A suspension may be necessary to help avoid the circus that is going to take place.

Besides, it is a complete joke how other players are suspended for apparently less offensive conduct. If Vick is not suspended then the other suspensions for Pacman, Henry, et. al. should be rescinded.

At the very least, a suspension is needed to AVOID the circus..now, the commish is making himself look weak and invitiung an even bigger PR problem. If it was good PR he was looking for, it's not found here...exactly the opposite. And a strong commish would be making strong statements condemning the acts, taking this a whole lot more seriously than he has. Even if he had done that, I would not be critical of him. Instead, he is duck and cover and weak.

 

[Frezo]

The fact that it was at his house?? That ogs dead and alive were found there?? The fact that blood was all over the place and that all kinds of dog fighting equipment were found there, including 'rape stands"? As I mentioned..if he were accused of being at a dog fight once or twice or had peripheral involvement, I would have no problem with a wait and see attitude. But this is egregious and something gone on for years...a continuing situation. I think there is a matter of degrees in this. Also, the fact that he lied to the commish also HAS to be taken into account.

MoLewisrocks explained the situation well. If Goodell takes action now, it forces the PA to support a union member because legally it is only an indictment. They would have a good legal case too due to the lack of specific charges. I have no doubt that Goodell will act accordingly once legal wranglings have proceeded further and charges are filed.

 

[thesmee1]

Oh...I agree...early in the AM...maybe I have had too much caffeine..but this is difficult times for the NFL...and I wish the Commish would do something to make the league look better.

It might be too little too late. The Humane Society, PETA, Al Sharpton and Russell Simmons have stepped up the pressure.

http://blog.peta.org/archives/Michael_Vick_letter.pdf


The court of public opinion is also very strong. I own two dogs myself, and I find this absolutely repugnant and barbaric. Those dogs died horrific deaths and the ones who were taken will probably be euthanized because of their history of fighting. Anyone that uses animals for fighting is of the lowest common denominator and should be reprimanded.

 

[bakes781]

The NFL has already said they won't suspend him w/o a conviction or guilty plea so they've alreay made their decision.

 

[taltos]

The Falcons might have no choice but to suspend him if enough protest letters are received by Home Depot. The owner of the Falcons holds the controlling interest in Home Depot.

 

[Pats726]

First of all, Tank Johnson is not an obscure player. Secondly, I agree that Vick shouldn't get special treatment. Thirdly, I TOTALLY DISAGREE that he is getting special treatment. Hold your horses, for God's sake. Give the NFL a second. Both Pac Man AND Tank Johnson had WAAAAAAY more time pass than a few days pass before the hammer came down. Relax.

Why is Goodell not way out in front on this?? OK..I know if I would Comish he would be suspended PENDING an NFL investigation.
(Do not forget that Vick lied to Goodell as well.) But given that he doesn't have the guts to do that now and is waiting. Why hasn't he come out and made a strong statement against this? I think at least he COULD have done that...expressed outrage...said he and the NFL were taking the charges VERY seriously and that IN TIME they would decide what action if any to take. I think THAT at least was needed from a commisionor. instead, it was all in meetings, deciding and just coming out with statements about not planning him to be susupended at this time. How weak can a Commish be given the seriousness of it all?? Get out in front of it all and SAY you are investigating it!! Be strong and not look like you are not doing anything because he's a star or that you are waiting for public opinion to take over. He looks weak..very weak. Even if not taking action, he can still say something. That is why I he has blown it, even at this early stage. Wait..that is fine..but do not look like a tough guy when it's easy and a pushover when it's something a bit more difficult.

 

[bakes781]

At the very least, a suspension is needed to AVOID the circus..now, the commish is making himself look weak and invitiung an even bigger PR problem. If it was good PR he was looking for, it's not found here...exactly the opposite. And a strong commish would be making strong statements condemning the acts, taking this a whole lot more seriously than he has. Even if he had done that, I would not be critical of him. Instead, he is duck and cover and weak.

Exactly! Suspend even with pay would be fine by me.

 

[Pats726]

The NFL has already said they won't suspend him w/o a conviction or guilty plea so they've alreay made their decision.

If that IS the final NFL decision..all I can say is that Goodell has totally blown it as Commish. He looks weak and now if that is true, he's creating an ioncredible BAD image for the NFL.

 

[Pats726]

The Falcons might have no choice but to suspend him if enough protest letters are received by Home Depot. The owner of the Falcons holds the controlling interest in Home Depot.

I agree..they COULD save Goodell from looking weak..although so far he looks very much so. Looks like the hammer is in the back pocket. SOmehow I jjys do NOT think he gets it.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

My two cents:

(First of all, I have no time for Michael Vick and little if any time for Pacman, so pls don't read this as a defense of either.)

Given that Roger Goodell had years to understudy the issue as NFL counsel and that he took several months to come out with his first rulings in the Jones, etc., cases, there is a surprising lack of clarity in the standards he is applying. Maybe he was trying to leave things a little vague as a protection against litigation and to give himself future flexibility, but the Vick case is a real challenge.

If the standard is "repeat offender," then the logical question is "'Repeat' of what?" Repeated indictments? Repeated convictions? Repeated "bad behavior"?

He seems to be using the "Repeated bad behavior" test. In that case, how is "bad behavior" defined? Is it defined like some define pornography where "you know it when you see it?" In this case, then, did Vick's prior behavior (the false-bottomed water bottle, flipping the bird to the fans) not rise to the standard of "bad" in the mind of the Commissioner? "Immature" or "Questionable" maybe, but not actually "bad?"

I am afraid that by cracking down on Pacman et al, but giving Vick his "day in court," Goodell has opened a can of litigious worms that can benefit nobody.

 

[Pats726]

MoLewisrocks explained the situation well. If Goodell takes action now, it forces the PA to support a union member because legally it is only an indictment. They would have a good legal case too due to the lack of specific charges. I have no doubt that Goodell will act accordingly once legal wranglings have proceeded further and charges are filed.

Goodell is a phony...he looks weak now..very weak. If the PA backs Vick, they will suffer a PR nightmare..and if they wish to pursue that fine!! This is the kind of case that would show how poor the union is. Lack of specific charges?? Dead dogs, live dogs on his property. The fact that Vick lied to the Commish?? See how Goodell will look in a few weeks when he is FORCED to do something. See what a PR nightmare this is for the NFL and the tidal wave of bad press. Instead of looking strong, even in his words..he looks weak. He will basically let a player lie to him and do nothing. That looks very weak. And teh least he can do is say strong words about it, but that too has failed him now. By teh time he acts, it will look very much like he is forced to by the public; very much NOT the hammer he claimed to be.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I agree patience is needed...so suspend him pending an investigation by the NFL. What is wrong with that? These are egregious allegations and the facts of the case are NOT very pleasant. ALive and dead dogs on his property. All kinds of dog fighting equipment there. If the NFL is going to have a policy of conduct, now is the time to use it. Goodell already looks weak making statements that they were not going to suspend him. He could have least said that they were looking into things and would wait until then to decide. By what he has done he looks like his policy is a sham, that it only applies to non-stars etc and worst of all, when actions ARE taken, it looks more like he was pushed into it. There is no strength in a commish that says one ting and changes it quick like the wind. A quick suspension while the NFL looks into things is quite proper given what is known about the case. He looks very weak now. If teh NFLPA wishes to back Vick, I really think they will feel the outrage of many and I do not think they will take that path. There are some things, incidents that are so outrageous that actions are needed.

You don't get it, unfortunately. If the commissioner does something now to placate you, he risks losing the entire personal conduct policy when the NFLPA is forced to file a grievance on behalf of a player they have no interest in supporting and some arbitrator who would rather round up every pit bull in his area code and turn them loose on Michael Vick is forced to rule in his favor thereby eviscerating a policy that unheard of cooperation has allowed until now to even exist unchallenged. Think, and switch to decaf.

 

[QuiGon]

Goodell is a phony...he looks weak now..very weak. If the PA backs Vick, they will suffer a PR nightmare..and if they wish to pursue that fine!! This is the kind of case that would show how poor the union is. Lack of specific charges?? Dead dogs, live dogs on his property. The fact that Vick lied to the Commish?? See how Goodell will look in a few weeks when he is FORCED to do something. See what a PR nightmare this is for the NFL and the tidal wave of bad press. Instead of looking strong, even in his words..he looks weak. He will basically let a player lie to him and do nothing. That looks very weak. And teh least he can do is say strong words about it, but that too has failed him now. By teh time he acts, it will look very much like he is forced to by the public; very much NOT the hammer he claimed to be.

I think a lot of you are overreacting. The indictment came down 2 days ago. There's no need to rush into anything. Y'all are making it sound like Vick is skating away scot-free when the fact of the matter is that it is wise not to make any hasty decisions.