Goodell wants existing rule on FA tampering enforced

[BPF]

Let's see who will be made an example of on this matter. Personally I think this is a much bigger competitve advantage to be gained here than vs "spying" because players win games.

Here is the link to the Washington Post article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/13/AR2008031304158.html

 

[BelichickFan]

They should go back in time on tampering to look at teams who cheated in this way since the rule was in the books. Like on other things. I still think salary cap cheating is the worst offense myself as that directly affects the ability to add to the quality of your roster.

 

[Patriotis]

A quote from Goodell in the article in bold:

By unofficial count, 32 NFL players agreed to or signed contracts with teams on Feb. 29, the opening day of free agency this year. Last year, that unofficial count was 24 players.

"It's just how business is done by much of the league, or most of the league," one agent said. "No one really seems to object."

Goodell apparently does.

"I also believe that the Committee should do a thorough review of our competitive rules and policies to ensure that they are current, appropriate, and well-understood by all clubs," the commissioner wrote in his memo to the competition committee.
"As possible examples, the Committee may want to consider revising the Anti-Tampering Policy, or the crowd noise rules, both of which have been the subject of discussion in recent years."

 

[BradyManny]

LOL, good luck with that Goodell. That's kind of like the government saying its wants to cut down on copyright infringement and file-sharing.

 

[signbabybrady]

"As possible examples, the Committee may want to consider revising the Anti-Tampering Policy, or the crowd noise rules, both of which have been the subject of discussion in recent years."

Great so our bogus rule infraction results in loss of rd 1 pick and ridicule for a year and going.

The other infractions just need to be revised by the compitition commitee, so they can adjust the rules so the cheaters are not cheating.

 

[BPF]

Great so our bogus rule infraction results in loss of rd 1 pick and ridicule for a year and going.

The other infractions just need to be revised by the compitition commitee, so they can adjust the rules so the cheaters are not cheating.

Goodell obviously understands how he botched his handling of that and doesn't want the same circus atmosphere surrounding these issues.

 

[Alk]

Let's see who will be made an example of on this matter. Personally I think this is a much bigger competitve advantage to be gained here than vs "spying" because players win games.

Here is the link to the Washington Post article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/13/AR2008031304158.html

Of course you think it's a bigger advantage. We haven't been accused of that one yet that's why.

 

[BPF]

Of course you think it's a bigger advantage. We haven't been accused of that one yet that's why.

That's not it at all. Players win games. A system is nothing without great players. The coach must choose the right system for his talent, but he should never be arrogant enough to think that his team's success is due to his system. That's why we changed our offense to suit our strength this year, BB understands this and that's why he is a great coach.

Couple of examples, there are more. In 2001 we had 20 some FA signings, the Packers would not have won their SB in '97 without Reggie White.

 

[Deus Irae]

Commissioner Clouseau thinks he's Dirty Harry. How quaint!

 

[Rob0729]

Unless teams either allow the league access to telephone records or the team admits it, I don't know how it is possible to prove tampering.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Unless teams either allow the league access to telephone records or the team admits it, I don't know how it is possible to prove tampering.

A team signs a UFA from another team in less than an hour after the FA period begins, and that's not prima facie evidence of tampering?

 

[Rob0729]

A team signs a UFA from another team in less than an hour after the FA period begins, and that's not prima facie evidence of tampering?

How do you prove it? Teams will just work out the deal prior to free agency and wait 10-12 hours to sign them like they did this free agency. I don't think you can prove tampering if it takes 10-12 hours to sign a guy even if the deal was done prior to free agency.

 

[Patriotis]

How do you prove it? Teams will just work out the deal prior to free agency and wait 10-12 hours to sign them like they did this free agency. I don't think you can prove tampering if it takes 10-12 hours to sign a guy even if the deal was done prior to free agency.

Phone records maybe but they could always claim it was on another client who is on the team's roster.

 

[BPF]

How do you prove it? Teams will just work out the deal prior to free agency and wait 10-12 hours to sign them like they did this free agency. I don't think you can prove tampering if it takes 10-12 hours to sign a guy even if the deal was done prior to free agency.

The league can subpoena Peter King for at least one case since he knew Asante would sign with the Eagles 9 days before FA began.

 

[Tommysgirl]

Let's see who will be made an example of on this matter. Personally I think this is a much bigger competitve advantage to be gained here than vs "spying" because players win games.

Here is the link to the Washington Post article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/13/AR2008031304158.html

I know! I know! NOBODY! Damn Cheating Cheaters!

 

[Rob0729]

Phone records maybe but they could always claim it was on another client who is on the team's roster.

The phone records would be the best chance of them proving it, but as you point out, that isn't even as foolproof. Maybe if they can check e-mails and contract offers were e-mailed back and forth (but you would have to be stupid to have a paper trail like that).

I think it is good in theory to crack down on tampering, but unless Goodell starts to spy on teams and agents I think it is all talk with not much changing.

 

[Gumby]

As I see it; the only major leverage the NFL really has on this is with the agents. If you have ONLY a 'nuclear option' - decertifying an agent for allowing a team to engage in tampering; then the penalty is so severe that 90% of agents will not want to go there.

But as someone else said how will you prove it. NFL has no phone tap authority and all the agents have to do is place calls to a GM's home phone from a subordinate's personal cell phone or disposable and it becomes untraceable.

maybe if you subject all deals within 24 or 48 hours of FA period subject to more intense scrutiny and not allow any deals within 12 or 24 hours of FA start. This would fix one half of the tampering problem: Essentially saying - "hey, all teams need to have the opportunity to throw their best offer on the table to the FA before he commits to someone else.

the other half of problem (undermining of good faith bargaining with the existing team ) I am still thinking about. Maybe another nuclear option: as part of any FA deal; all parties (team, agent, player) have to sign an sworn affidavit that there were no discussions prior to FA. If subsequent discovery (at any time - even years down the road) it will result in agent decert; player suspension for 8 games and team loss of a draft pick (at the same round that the FA was originally chosen or based on FA salary level).

Still doesn't get you to disclosure or transparency; but if you are a team would you do this with a FA when you really risk a pick 4 years down the road???? Considering the FA could be with you for only 2 yrs and then when out of league he squeals like a pig !!

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

..The competition committee investigating crowd noise....
Isn't that like having the fox guard the hen house??????? That will never see the light of day...Bet on it...

 

[Rob0729]

..The competition committee investigating crowd noise....
Isn't that like having the fox guard the hen house??????? That will never see the light of day...Bet on it...

Well, the Colts are playing in a new stadium this year. I wouldn't be surprised if this rule passes and the Colts games get far quieter. It will of course be blamed on the new stadium with the open roof.

 

[ALP]

Of course you think it's a bigger advantage. We haven't been accused of that one yet that's why.

yea, but it IS a bigger advantage...

however, nice to see Goodel almost a month behind, if he wanted to enforce the no tampering rule, he could have easily done it this FA....but wait a second....the pats didnt tamper, so who cares....