Paul Tagliabue vacates penalties

[zulater]

NEW ORLEANS -- Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue has overturned the suspensions of four current and former New Orleans Saints players in the league's bounty investigation of the club.

Tagliabue, however, found that the players' conduct was detrimental to the league. He says they participated in a performance pool that rewarded key plays -- including hard tackles -- that could justify fines.

But the former commissioner said Tuesday that "this entire case has been contaminated by the coaches and others in the Saints' organization."

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma initially had been suspended the whole season, while Saints defensive end Will Smith, Cleveland linebacker Scott Fujita and free agent defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove received shorter suspensions.


http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8736662/paul-tagliabue-vacates-new-orleans-players-bounty-penalties

[Vis]

The saga involving four players linked to the New Orleans Saints bounty investigation is now effectively over.

Former NFL commisioner Paul Tagliabue has decided that Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove will not serve suspensions for their alleged wrongdoing in the league's case against the Saints organization for actions between 2009-11.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello (@gregaiello (https://twitter.com/gregaiello) on Twitter) confirmed Tuesday the decision of Tagliabue, who heard the appeals in place of league commissioner Roger Goodell, in the following series of tweets:

Tagliabue affirms factual findings of Commissioner Goodell...concludes Hargrove, Smith, Vilma "engaged in conduct detrimental" and vacates all player discipline. "Unlike Saints' broad organizational misconduct, player appeals involve sharply focused issues of alleged individual player misconduct in several different aspects. My affirmation of Commissioner Goodell's findings could certainly justify...the issuance of fines. However, this entire case has been contaminated by the coaches and others in the Saints' organization."

"Having reviewed the testimony very carefully, including documentary evidence that is at the center of the conflict, and having assessed...the credibility of the four central witnesses on these matters, I find there is more than enough evidence to support...Commissioner Goodell's findings that Mr. Vilma offered such a bounty (on Brett Favre)."

Aiello also gave the NFL's official statement on Tagliabue's findings:

"We respect Mr. Tagliabue’s decision, which underscores the due process afforded players in NFL disciplinary matters. This matter has now been reviewed by Commissioner Goodell, two CBA grievance arbitrators, the CBA Appeals Panel, and Mr. Tag...as Commissioner Goodell’s designated appeals officer. The decisions have made clear that the Saints operated a bounty program...in violation of league rules for three years, that the program endangered player safety, and that the commissioner has the authority...under the CBA to impose discipline for those actions as conduct detrimental to the league. Strong action was taken in this matter...to protect player safety and ensure that bounties would be eliminated from football."

http://sportsnola.com/sports/saints/saints-news/590645-tagliabue-voids-suspensions-of-vilma-smith-fujita-hargrove-bounty-case.html

[X-Terminator]

So if I'm reading this correctly, their suspensions are voided but they can still be fined?

[Dwinsgames]

The question now is will all parties simply move on or will we see action from the players who lost game time move to recover that money from the league and perhaps go further with suits of defamation of character and Libel vs Goodell and the league for further damages ?

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So if I'm reading this correctly, their suspensions are voided but they can still be fined?


have they not already been fined heavily with the loss of game checks for the time they have lost this season ?

I feel this is far from " over "

[Vis]

The question now is will all parties simply move on or will we see action from the players who lost game time move to recover that money from the league and perhaps go further with suits of defamation of character and Libel vs Goodell and the league for further damages ?

- - - Updated - - -




have they not already been fined heavily with the loss of game checks for the time they have lost this season ?

I feel this is far from " over "

Vilma already sued

[X-Terminator]

have they not already been fined heavily with the loss of game checks for the time they have lost this season ?

I feel this is far from " over "

Vilma has played most of the season. Not sure about Hargrove, and Fujita is on IR. So they have all been getting paid during the appeals process. They would still be subject to heavy fines, again, if I'm reading this correctly.

[Dwinsgames]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000109655/article/ginsberg-vilma-to-pursue-defamation-suit-vs-goodell

Vilma's defamation suit vs Goodell will continue to move forward

[zulater]

I can't believe this topic hasn't gained more traction. Taglibue essentially gave Roger a complete facial yesterday. :lol: Basically what he's saying is that this all falls on the coaches and organization. And while clearly the players were participants, they didn't get the league warning the coaches and organization were afforded in 2009, therefore they don't bear the same sort or responsability. Thus the idea of excessive punishment to the players was completely misguided.

In other words Roger really blew this. He overstepped his authority, which appears to be habitual for this clown.

[LLT]

I can't believe this topic hasn't gained more traction. Taglibue essentially gave Roger a complete facial yesterday. :lol: Basically what he's saying is that this all falls on the coaches and organization. And while clearly the players were participants, they didn't get the league warning the coaches and organization were afforded in 2009, therefore they don't bear the same sort or responsability. Thus the idea of excessive punishment to the players was completely misguided.

In other words Roger really blew this. He overstepped his authority, which appears to be habitual for this clown.


Which explains the red herring he through into the media this week in regards to kickoffs. A well placed deflection from this blowing up in his face.

[NCSteeler]

Tags completely neutered him, I'd be surprisrd if the owners didn't quietly begin looking for his replacement. They owners have a lot of respect for Tags

[fansince'76]

Tags completely neutered him, I'd be surprisrd if the owners didn't quietly begin looking for his replacement.

One can only hope. Unfortunately, being the NFL Commissioner is pretty much akin to being on the Supreme Court - a lifetime appointment until he either steps down voluntarily or dies.

[Chidi29]

Which explains the red herring he through into the media this week in regards to kickoffs. A well placed deflection from this blowing up in his face.

Goodell had no idea what the outcome was going to be. And this is the time the competition committee starts discussing rule changes. So it's all coincidence...not a conspiracy.