The NFL Thread (with added College Football)

[usav]

It was obvious something like this had happened.  Why did we have to wait for the video for the correct punishment??

[UK Redsox]

The question now is what did the NFL know and when did they know it?

Journalists are adamant that the NFL had seen the video before Rice was initially banned for just two games.

If that's true, Goodell surely has to resign.

http://deadspin.com/adam-schefter-is-fed-up-with-the-nfl-1631937239

[UK Redsox]

Keith Olbermann is not happy**

[** Keith is at his best when he's not happy. He's the best ranter on TV]

[cdbearsfan]

Hope Goodell stays. For all of the stupid ideas he's had, he's still massively boosted the game in the UK and, selfishly, I think my chances of seeing the Bears in Britain again are far higher with him as Chief Exec.

[cdbearsfan]

I was the third highest scorer in my fantasy league but still lost my first game thanks to the useless Joisey Giants giving away points like Gary Glitter gives away sweets in school playgrounds.

[ADVILLAFAN]

I was the third highest scorer in my fantasy league but still lost my first game thanks to the useless Joisey Giants giving away points like Gary Glitter gives away sweets in school playgrounds.

Giants are poor this year, in fact the NFC East is, apart from maybe the Eagles. Redskins should be a bit better than last season maybe.

Wonder if Coughlin will retire after this season?

[UK Redsox]

The police did send the NFL a copy the video of Ray Rice punching his fiancé and they have an NFL employee on tape confirming receipt

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_RICE_VIDEO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-09-10-16-51-00

[UK Redsox]

The NFL has called in an ex-FBI Director to carry out an 'independent' investigation of their handling of the Ray Rice saga.

[cdbearsfan]

Will this be a "Yes Minister" style "independent investigation" where they choose someone who will give them the answer they were looking for?

[DaveD]

There will be a "plausible deniability" threshold within the organisation hierarchy, and the poor sucker one below it will get fired.

[pmarachi]

The question now is what did the NFL know and when did they know it?

Journalists are adamant that the NFL had seen the video before Rice was initially banned for just two games.

If that's true, Goodell surely has to resign.

http://deadspin.com/adam-schefter-is-fed-up-with-the-nfl-1631937239

I have a huge issue with how this is all playing out.

I'm not a Goodell fan at all, but how the hell did he become the bad guy in all of this!?!

There has been a huge shift in blame due to the ESPN effect, where espn makes a story to talk about, and in this case blame has been almost entirely shifted from Rice to Goodell!!

Like what the hell just happened!?!?

[usav]

I think you are missing the point.

It's about the fact they put down a 2 game ban on Rice based on there having been an altercation between him and his wife that left her knocked out.  They knew that much and admitted they knew that much when the original video was released.   The problem becomes that they said they made the decision based on the facts they knew at the time and the testimonies of Rice and his fiancee.   If there was a video in their possession all this time that showed the full extent of the attack, then why change the punishment when it comes out in the public domain?      The problem the NFL and Goodell has here is not only that the suspension was pathetically weak for someone that did what Rice did, it's that if the video was already in the hands of someone at the NFL and they made the decision to suspend him for 2 games, the fact that the video is now in the public domain should not alter the punishment.   They will face a huge legal battle from Rice and his legal team over that.

[UK Redsox]

Adrian Peterson has been arrested for child abuse. It is said that he hit his 4 year old son with a tree branch resulting in cuts and bruises.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11514522/adrian-peterson-minnesota-vikings-indicted-child-case

Whatever punishment Ray Rice gets, AP should get more. Jail time and a lifetime ban from the NFL.

The Rice incident was adult on adult with a hand, this is adult on child with a weapon.

[cdbearsfan]

Think my fantasy team is cursed! From a Bears point of view though, a Peterson suspension can't be a bad thing.

[UK Redsox]

RGIII has broken/dislocated his ankle

Johnny Football has just thrown his first NFL pass