Nice post Guru!
I have a REAL problem with the suspension handed down by Dictator Goodell, based on what sentences have been handed down to players who were in a LOT more trouble than BM.
Marshall’s record in the community shines above other players like Tank Johnson, Pacman, Henry (both of them) and the lack of any sentence for Lynch.
No charges have been filed against Marshall…..NONE….yet Goodell thinks he has the power to suspend the guys based on, essentially here say.
I have said it before, if he is guilty of domestic violence, throw the book at him. But he is not. He is guilty of being in an unhealthy relationship, and that is tough on him and his ex, but it is not something worth being suspended for.
At present, Brandon Marshall is guilty of….NOTHING. He is being suspended based on….NOTHING. It is irritating in a society where you are innocent unless proven guiltry that the commish can find guys guilty unless proven innocent.
Go harvey Steinberg…go get them. This case is winnable!
Thats my 2 cents worth.

my bigger question has to do with an appeal process that goes back to the person who imposed the suspension in the first place. It would make sense if it went to some arbiter within the NFL office or something akin to that, but why would Goodell change his mind now???

That being said, if Brandon can get his suspension down to 1 game… after watching the fader game last night, I really think we can punk them without Brandon.

BCFunk. I agree. And look, I can be a bot of a conspiracy theorist for sure, but does not this seem a little bit of pay back from the Commish because they lost the case against Travis Henry.
This suspension seems pretty heavy handed.
My worry, like yours, is will Marshall even get a fair trial from Goodell? He seems to be a guy who is NEVER wrong (just look how he handled the Patriots situation).
I, basically, have NO faith in Goodell to be honest. He has mishandled most situations so why would that change now???
Thanks!

So I want Marshall to do anything and everything in his power to get on the field. Even if there is no chance of it working out.

On the same note I think the suspension is good for Marshall, who clearly needed a wake up call. The suspension draws the line, and Marshall’s bad behavior clearly fell on the wrong side of it. To let Marshall off with a warning would be enabling in my opinion, which would leave the door open to worse transgressions in the future, which would lead to bigger suspensions. Bigger suspensions in the next couple of years hurts the team more than a couple of games this year, because I think the next several years bear more promise than this year.

I have to agree that Goodell as trial judge as well as apellate judge makes little sense, but again I think letting him off tells him that he can get away with whatever he wants (look at Travis Henry).

No doubt BM needs a warning. My problem with the whole situation is that there seems to be no set way of handling player problems.
Marshawn Lynch gets nothing (not even a warning) for a felony offense and BM gets 3 games for never being charged???
BM needs a suspended sentence. For example, one more incident in the next year leads to an automatic 4 game suspension. Much like the leagues drug policy. At the moment the way things are being handled has no rhyme or reason and stinks more of the Inquisitions or Russian Purges than it does of a level headed and equitable hearing.

now this situation has the potential to be a major distraction early in the season. Remember the Travis Henry saga..

Hey Zappa,
i think they are 2 different situations. Travis Henry was a year long (and potentially careerending) suspension and involved scientific evidence.
BM’s is a subjective case ruled on by the commish.
I dont think it will be distracting. It is clear that the Broncos are preparing for the first 2 games with the reps they are gving Royal and Jackson (at Marshall no 1 slot). If they some how get Marshall back, than that is an absolute bonus. If not, they are prepared anyway.
This wont change Shanhan and the teams preparation and you can bet your last dollar that the Broncos knew he was going to appeal.
Thanks for all the posts and work you do Zappa.
Werd!

If he fails his suspension appeal Goddell wont take away his chance to reduce the number of games from 3 to 2 will he?

I dont know. You would think not as it would not prevent him from filling the requirement to get the suspension reduced. Secondly, it would be in Marshall’s best interest to already be trying to fill that requirement NOW as a show of good faith and to show he is getting on with bettering himself.
I am sure the broncos and Harvey Steinberg would not be as silly to put all their hope in the appeal.
Does anyone know the answer to this question? Is there any protocol regardimng this? As has been pointed out, I dont think there is a set protocol or rule book for the suspension of players under the conduct code.
Thanks!

Just saw this:

An NFL spokesman said the league had no comment Thursday on a speculative report that Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie is likely to be suspended for four games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Sirius NFL Radio first reported the one-sentence item during its Wednesday afternoon update, but the NFL spokesman said the league had nothing to announce. McKinnie faces four charges, including one of felony aggravated battery, stemming from a February fight outside a Miami nightclub. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled for a Sept. 24 appearance in Miami-Dade County Court. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with McKinnie, the Vikings’ starting left tackle, in late May.

I support the idea of limits on athletes. I am in favor of getting them to be good citizens as well as good players, and I think that this situation, whatever it’s outcome, will be a positive for Brandon, who has seen that he was on the wrong path and has gotten help (Rod Smith, Jay Cutler, others).

My issue is based in a desire to see equality in how those above limits are imposed on athletes who are going down a dark path. Goodell is doing this himself, in great part. There are no specifics and this will at times create concerns about what actions create what consequences. In order to have this be the most effective, fair, and respected policy possible it seems a good idea to take the next step and create specifics and a team/group/board to implement those specifics when necessary.

If four charges, including felony aggravated battery does result in a 4 game suspension, traffic violations (I used to co-run a drug and alcohol rehab program and take that part of Marshall’s actions very seriously) and issues of domestic unrest (also very serious) in which charges are dropped or not filed is now three games suspension with one off if behavior modificaitons are followed is a start.

I do admit that charges of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and giving false testimony to a police officer, whether pleaded down or not, seems very serious and should also have resulted in a suspension of 3 to 4 games. Again – if Goodell’s policies are followed in a fair, consistent and equal manner, they should have greater benefits for the players and the leasgue. Just an opinion.

Consider this. Goodell has helped our team out immeasurably by helping us KEEP Marshall on this team. How?

Would Marshall be shacking up with Cutler if the League hadn’t looked at this situation? Would Brandon have gotten help without the League’s intervention? I really think Brandon has a shot of staying out of trouble now that the League has forced him (and the team) to look at himself. Without the League getting involved, Brandon was headed for trouble.

This makes perfect sense. I hope this is the case.