Wetzel:Deflate-gate is rotting Roger Goodell's spoils of lockout victory

[SVN]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/deflat...ll-s-spoils-of-lockout-victory-064322873.html

 

[raduray]

Good Stuff.

How, for instance, could the NFL deny Brady the right to question Jeff Pash, the league's general counsel, "co-lead"/editor of the Wells Report and a critical potential witness?

"I don't understand," Berman said before blasting the NFL's reasoning that Goodell, as the arbitrator, decided that anything Pash would say would just be "cumulative" and thus not worth hearing.

"Under the law the arbitrator doesn't have the authority to determine evidence will be cumulative," Berman stated. "… How would you know [what Pash was going to testify]?"

How could the NFL attorneys use specific notes to cross-examine Brady but refuse to supply that information to Brady's attorneys when they requested it?

"There are standards of fairness," Berman said.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Labor negotiations can be hard-nosed, but a good deal, like any deal, is one where both sides get something. And a good judicial system is one based on procedures, protections and fairness; one based on reasonability, not the unyielding quest for conviction. This is true if only because it preemptively minimizes the complaints of the convicted. A flawed system actually turns the guilty into heroes and everything collapses on itself.

He should have noted that any labor law system is based on the "actual" law. It can't become such that it strays from the basic law of fairness and procedure. Sure Goodell can be arbitrator, but he must at least appear to be neutral and balanced.

There are points lower down in the article, but the writer never seems to point this out. goodell thinks his decision, regardless of how he arrives there or allows the process to flow, can't be reviewed or changed.

The league wants to rule with an iron fist, and then have everyone cheerily accept it. There are, though, only so many sheep out there.

Reminds me of the scene in Bloodsport where the villain kills an opponent and after the ref is shocked, he lifts the refs hand to announce himself as the winner and looks for the cheering of the crowd. Ultimately, everyone is quiet and the judges turn their back on him and he is still demonstratively dismissive of their ruling.

I'm thinking this showdown will end the same as well with Brady playing the part of Frank Dux