Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

[Sgt_Carnage]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...or-was-edited/

Just take your punishment,Ray. Nothing good is gonna come from this.

[moylan1234]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

He's right in the original version Janay knocks him out!

[SPTO]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...or-was-edited/

C'mon man, just take your punishment like a man.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...or-was-edited/

Oh boy, this is going to get very interesting. I had been wondering for awhile about this. The latest video that was leaked looked like a couple that was trying to keep it together out in the hallway, as if something had already gone down.

I can't imagine this will really help Rice much, but it will at least be interesting to see how it plays out.

[wwharton]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

I thought we were talking about the inside elevator video? Is that not the one you are claiming is solely to blame for the current state of media attention on the NFL, do I have that wrong?

No, I'm overall talking about both videos, but the 1st video is the only reason the story stretched beyond NFL fans who care more about the product on the field than the TMZ world. The dominos started falling after that.

I work in tv news, an nbc affiliate which I've stated several times on this site so I see what goes into their decisions on what to cover, what not to and why. From that perspective I'm seeing a big difference in the coverage of recent events compared to just about anything you can bring up from the past.

No one is arguing that the coverage is different though. That's kind of why I'm confused at the point you're trying to make. I'm saying everything, including the increased coverage started with the 1st video going viral. The original question was whether or not there were more incidents now than in the past. I don't think there are, these current incidents are just making more noise bc the first Rice video went viral and started a process that put the NFL in this spotlight.

Just take your punishment,Ray. Nothing good is gonna come from this.

C'mon man, just take your punishment like a man.

I disagree with you two. He was willingly taking his punishment, and I believe he would've no matter what the initial punishment had been. But if the NFL and Ravens are trying to throw him under the bus to cover their own butts, he most definitely should fight it.

The man decked his wife, there's no taking that back. All he can do is man up and do better going forward. If he did that, was honest and thorough and has been doing everything else right, he should fight when they are trying to label him a liar. And it's in the interest of the NFLPA to defend him as well.

[moylan1234]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Okay yea I was a little confused on that, but I still can't fully blame even the first video because if the NFL had simply handled their business in a responsible way. Video or no video they wouldn't be under the scrutiny they are now.

totally agree with your second point. Rice shouldn't sit stiil while the league attempts to sandbag him

[wwharton]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Okay yea I was a little confused on that, but I still can't fully blame even the first video because if the NFL had simply handled their business in a responsible way. Video or no video they wouldn't be under the scrutiny they are now.

totally agree with your second point. Rice shouldn't sit stiil while the league attempts to sandbag him

The thing is, responsible to the NFL was light years away from the average facebook poster. Lets not forget that Rice got a slap on the wrist from the justice system. The NFL followed that up with a suspension that is longer than pretty much anyone else under Goodell's watch.

Most people here (I'm using OS as a representation of serious NFL fans) wouldn't have complained if he got a 6 game suspension, and would've expected that to be appealed and reduced to 4 games. That wouldn't have stopped the lynch mob. I honestly don't think there was a way around this current mess the NFL is in. They've been doing what's best for business when it comes to these incidents forever. If they had come out of the gate with an indefinite suspension then everyone that follows things would have been up in arms, and no way the NFLPA would've let that fly. I think they could've taken better stances in the face of the public... would've still pissed off NOW and the likes, but they shouldn't be trying to play judge and jury and we are seeing why.

[wwharton]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Some more fuel for the fire... Godfather Bisciotti's rebuttal to the OTL report.

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/ravens-talk/ravens-release-statement-ray-rice-report

Later in the article: Diamondstein began a series of conversations with Cass, a lawyer as well as the Ravens team president, about strategy on how to resolve Rice's criminal case as quickly, and as quietly, as possible, team sources and other sources say.

Dick Cass: "I believe Ray's criminal defense attorney mentioned the video to me in late May around the time that the court granted Ray's application for pretrial intervention. I don't recall his precise words, but he did say the video looked terrible. I did not ask Ray's attorney for a copy of the video. I assumed the video would be terrible, because it would show a man striking a woman. But I also thought the video would show a physical altercation where Ray was defending himself with an open hand. My view about the video was also influenced by the fact that the prosecutor and the judge agreed to the ultimate dismissal of all charges against Ray after seeing the video. We had decided several months before to leave fact finding to the court system and the League. As we have said, that was a mistake, and I regret it."

Pretty much what I thought so I believe it. This is a plausible explanation for why Goodell wouldn't have seen the video either, if he were just smart enough to use it initially... too late now.

12. From the article: "One source who spoke to Cass said he heard at least two weeks before Goodell announced the penalty that Rice would receive only a two-game penalty."

Dick Cass: "That is not true. Neither I nor anyone at the Ravens knew what the penalty would be until the Commissioner sent his letter to Ray on July 23. I did believe that a two-game suspension was one of the likely outcomes, because as far as I knew that was the maximum penalty that had been imposed in a case similar to Ray's."

Ravens look bad in their handling of this, but they're doing a much better job than the NFL. Admit how you screwed up and at least help things make sense.

He also puts the exact texts, word for word, sent between him and Ray (when Ray's friend said Rice felt it was a bribe to hush him). There was a press conference today too but I don't have a link for it.

[Bmore Irish]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Yeah I read that whole release. If there was any chance of the Ravens and Rice reuniting in some off-the-field capacity in the future, I think that's done now.

[wwharton]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Yeah I read that whole release. If there was any chance of the Ravens and Rice reuniting in some off-the-field capacity in the future, I think that's done now.

Yeah, I can't believe he still stands by that. I guess he has to from his seat, but Rice ain't coming back to work with them... ever. But I think that went out the window when they released him anyway, since they didn't "have" to release him.

[Kaiser Wilhelm]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

I'm going to agree with wwharton on this one regarding Rice appealing. The Ravens and NFL are trying to cover their own asses and throwing Rice under the bus. The initial incident is despicable, but the NFL and Ravens are reacting to public pressure and, what seems to be Rice's case, fabricating truths in order to make Rice look even worse and earn themselves forgiveness. If you committed a crime, and then somebody else lied about it to make it seem worse not only to further punish you, but for their own selfish gain, would you not fight it in order to "save face?"

Rice is pretty much in a lose-lose situation, so which option makes you lose the least?

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

The thing is, responsible to the NFL was light years away from the average facebook poster. Lets not forget that Rice got a slap on the wrist from the justice system. The NFL followed that up with a suspension that is longer than pretty much anyone else under Goodell's watch.

Most people here (I'm using OS as a representation of serious NFL fans) wouldn't have complained if he got a 6 game suspension, and would've expected that to be appealed and reduced to 4 games. That wouldn't have stopped the lynch mob. I honestly don't think there was a way around this current mess the NFL is in. They've been doing what's best for business when it comes to these incidents forever. If they had come out of the gate with an indefinite suspension then everyone that follows things would have been up in arms, and no way the NFLPA would've let that fly. I think they could've taken better stances in the face of the public... would've still pissed off NOW and the likes, but they shouldn't be trying to play judge and jury and we are seeing why.

Part agree and part disagree. I think the aspect that really made this story transcend sports was outrage at the perceived leniency of the punishment and people comparing this to drug infractions being met with stiffer penalties than 2 games. I truly believe that had the NFL come out with 6 or 8 games initially for Rice, the whole situation would have blown itself out (TMZ wouldn't have gotten involved) and Ray Rice would still be a Raven. I think the same thing about AD. The backtracking and initial tone deaf reactions on the NFL's behalf as well as Baltimore and Minnesota are really what invited a whole bunch of further attention and investigation. It's as much a reaction to the NFL's hubris as it is about the actual incidents themselves at this point.

[wwharton]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Part agree and part disagree. I think the aspect that really made this story transcend sports was outrage at the perceived leniency of the punishment and people comparing this to drug infractions being met with stiffer penalties than 2 games. I truly believe that had the NFL come out with 6 or 8 games initially for Rice, the whole situation would have blown itself out (TMZ wouldn't have gotten involved) and Ray Rice would still be a Raven. I think the same thing about AD. The backtracking and initial tone deaf reactions on the NFL's behalf as well as Baltimore and Minnesota are really what invited a whole bunch of further attention and investigation. It's as much a reaction to the NFL's hubris as it is about the actual incidents themselves at this point.

Very good point about the comparison to the drug suspensions. That was definitely the talk. But I still disagree that TMZ wouldn't have gotten involved. If I'm not mistaken, they released the first video tape too, and that's when the outrage went public.. and most of those people didn't know anything about X player they never heard of having a longer suspension. I don't think AP had a chance, but I agree (I think this is what you're saying) that if the Rice situation didn't blow up to this level then AP's wouldn't have created as much of a buzz.

[wwharton]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Looks like the intermission is almost over. You guys ready for the next round?

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/report--nfl-could-reinstate-former-ravens-running-back-ray-rice-within-a-month-235409237.html

[allBthere]

Re: Thread for NFL players in trouble with the law

Looks like the intermission is almost over. You guys ready for the next round?

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...235409237.html

The sad thing to me and the only thing that matters is that he actually wasn't really "in trouble with the law" at least not to the extent he should have been. I don't care about his NFL career, and think it's crazy the public is holding the NFL accountable for punishing him. That's what the law is for and it seems to have failed miserably - THAT is the real problem no?