See the problem for you remains that you assume evidence has been proven false, etc. when all that has really happened is Vilma and his lawyer and a couple of players have publicly claimed that to be the case... And you are desperate to believe any speculation that undercuts the league's position. BTW the league has stated - through Greg Aiello who is not one of Goodell's top lieutenents but simply the league's PR guy - that no witnesses have retracted their statements. Vilma's lawyer is persuing a strategy, attempting to sway public perception to the point it pressures Goodell to back down for purely PR reasons when he knows their multiple cases, like all of his recent cases against the league, will not ultimately prevail in the court system. Vilma is apparently desperate to get to in to court before camps open and everyone stops caring altogether... His act is growing tiresome and would be comical if not so pathetic. And Brees isn't helping the cause... Support from a vocal minority, the likes of which includes a hack like Florio who is always just stirring the ratings pot, will ultimately do them all more harm than good.
Well I could say that the problem with you is you assume the NFL is correct, lol. Goes both ways, kind of like a girl I knew in college. I was completely on the NFL side at the beginning, calling for SP head. Only thing Im desperate for is the truth and to put this thing to bed.
Its not an assumption that the NFL has publicly stated that Ornstiens,GW,Vitt, Hardgrove admitted to a PFI in NO, and then later all 4 said they had never said that. The Nfl had Lied or misrepresent their statements . How do you screw that up?
Its not an assumption that the NFL has publicly stated and shown documents that SP, Ornstiens, Vilma, Harper, Vitt, GW contributed to a PFI pool in NO, and then later it is found that this never occurred , and documents altered by the NFL, SP was never sent a email, Harper was payed as part of the PFP, They lied about Ornstiens statements about Vilma.. How do you screw that up?
Its not an assumption the the NFL produced a ledger of the Saints that documented bounty payments.
Later they say "Oops. Oh yeah, it wasn't the Buffalo game, it was actually the Carolina game in 2009! Sorry guys, honest mistake!" . A week later the ledger is debunked in the Carolina game.
How do you screw that up?
Its not an assumption the the NFL stated evidence proving a 3 year PFI in NO. Later its found there is only 3 games in 2009 that are mentioned in the evidence. The only other evidence is in 2011, Aron Rogers, and thats the SP email that was found later was never sent to him. How do you screw that up?
Theirs is a lot more..but I think thats enough to dispute assumption. These were all found out way before Vilmas case, and frankly he's just using what was already proven false. Demeaning the evidence being amassed against the NFL by saying
" and a couple of players have publicly claimed that to be the case" makes little sense though.
Once these were refuted , the NFL and Goodell have refused to comment Like in the Hardgrove case, or written it off as a mistake they made. They have never once supported the evidence when found to be false. Never countered it or any witnesses saying they misrepresented or lied about their testimony. This leads to the logical conclusion that the evidence disputed is indeed false.
I might also call it an assumption if their were one piece of evidence found to be misguided, but we are talking about the foundation of the NFL's case, almost all of the evidence is inaccurate or false. Vilma is a very small portion of the leagues findings. But, believe me he has a very strong case. The NFL better have clear reasons for the erroneous statements they put out. I think your right though, Vilma is more of a dog and pony show. The NFL is also trying to sway opinion.
But Like I said Vilma is only like 1/50th of the evidence problem the NFL has to explain to the media, and yes its getting to that point.
I don't see Saints fans or players as desperate or wanting for a cinderella outcome here. We are guilty of a PFP in NO, and everyone admitted that from players to coaches.
What I do see is a fan base and players, not restricted like the coaches punished, and not willing to just sit back , bend over, and take the falsehoods Goodell is spreading about the team. Reputation is a big thing in the southern culture.
If other fans don't like it or Brees being vocal, they really don't care, and don't have a problem fighting this to an ugly end either. This is nothing more than a game of chicken, at this point.
Goodell can prove at any time that he's a good commissioner , without and ego, and cares about the league and its players, when he reduces the fines and admits they might of been incorrect about a PFI in NO. Short of that, or actual proof of a PFI in NO, is not acceptable to fans or the players anymore.