A Great 2011 Might Hurt Talib
August 5th, 2011
Joe made the case yesterday that Aqib Talib is a not a player hatchetman commissioner Roger Goodell cares much about because Talib is little known on the national stage, therefore his transgressions, and alleged trangressions, are not a priority.
Some think the hatchetman will suspend Talib this season before his trial in Texas. Joe would be stunned if that happened.
Today, Mike Florio, creator, curator and overall guru at ProFootballTalk.com, launched a similar take saying Goodell’s discipline is subjective public relations more than anything else.
How else can anyone reconcile the fact that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended six games despite never been arrested or charged for sexual assault, and yet Broncos cornerback Perrish Cox continues to practice and play despite facing two years to life based on specific, detailed, and troubling allegations that he raped and impregnated a woman who had passed out at his apartment?
If Roethlisberger had allegedly done what Cox had allegedly done, the lockout wouldn’t have ended. For Roethlisberger.
Following Florio’s logic, a strong season by Talib this year certainly enhances Talib’s chances of garnering a stiff punishment from the justice-be-damned commissioner. If the Bucs make the playoffs and Talib picks Peyton Manning twice on Monday Night Football, all of a sudden Goodell probably will feel like he must flash his testicles and crack down on Talib regardless of what the Texas courts say next year.
What a way to run a league.
August 5th, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Yeah, but if nothing happens this season from a punishment standpoint and then Talib goes to trial and the case gets thrown out like it appears the evidence, or lack of, would likely dictate. Then Talib will be found not guilty and he won’t need to be punished.
August 5th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
I think you’re stretching it a bit: Ben is a nationally known, Super Bowl winning QBs on one of the most storied franchises in the league.
Even if Talib gets 8 INTs and makes the Pro Bowl, he’s still not even in the same ballpark as Ben. Wives around the U.S. aren’t going to know or care who he is.
I think his suspension will occur in 2012 and the length will depend on how the case goes.
Completely dropped = Possibly no suspension
Light charges without jail time = 4 games
Heavier charges = 8-16 games
August 5th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Line of the year: “he must flash his testicles…” Well done, sir. Hilarious and probably will be the case, assuming it even gets to trial.
August 5th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
Agree with Picked_Off, classic Joe!
What is troubling is that because Talib’s mom might be deranged, and his sister a poor judge of character for her partners, Talib, witnesses whatever happened that day and Goodell is going to punish him even though evidence points to him being a bystander…..next thing you know Goodell is going to suspend players for being in the same 10 mile radius of a crime.
I agree with having a conduct code, but really?!? Guys not only face our actual justice system but then have to be judged by someone other than their direct employer? Shouldn’t most of these thing be handled by the teams themselves?
Who gets to police Goodell for having a bit too much to drink at a function, possibly cheating on his wife a la Weinergate? Perhaps he needs a taste of his own medicine.
August 5th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Joe, there’s a a difference between Cox and Ben’s situations (besides the obvious charges dropped or not). Goodell suspended Big Ben based on HIS testimony in the charges that were filed against him, not the charges themselves (granted if the charges were never brought up it would likely be a moot point). Ben basically admitted he was behaving in away that reflected poorly on the league (while not admitting he did anything illegal), and Goodell took action based on that and past behaviors (again, not that anything illegal was done there, but doesn’t look good for the NFL).
The Personal Conduct Poliy is not in place to compliment nor supplant the US Justice System, it is it’s own process designed to ensure that the high profile employees of the NFL (the players) do not behave in a way that reflects poorly on the NFL. It has nothing to do with the courts (although behaviors that are punished under it are often punishable under law), nor should it.
It is not a perfect system, but you can’t hold it against Goodell for trying to keep the handful of knuckleheads in line.
August 5th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
I’m so sick and tired of Goodell’s testicles. Every time I watch football, there they are, right in my face. Staring at me like they want to fight or something. I will knock a ball sack the fudge out!
August 5th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Maybe Goodell develops testicular cancer this season and resigns ans the NFL’s commissioner :)))
August 5th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
I’m calling BS on this one. Everyone knows you’re supposed to use protection when you rape girls who pass out at their house. Not that I’d do anything like that. Just saying she sounds like a gold digger.
I think and hope Talib is in the clear. He just needs to stay in the clear. I fear that might not be easy for him.
August 5th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@Espo: “Everyone knows you’re supposed to use protection when you rape girls who pass out at their house.”
Wow. Yeah, because rapists always think about the long-term ramifications of their actions BEFORE THEY RAPE SOMEONE.
August 5th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
BucsFan, If Goodell cheats on his wife, I will lose all respect for his judgment. Have you seen her? Top shelf!!
August 5th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Macabee….no i didn’t and you’re right, she’s definitely a dime.
T in Orlando: I understand punishing things that reflect poorly on an organization such as being caught speeding in a company vehicle, etc. It just seems that BSPN and other sportscasters, put Goodell as the judge and jury because he simply appears to have the power to do whatever he wants. I would just like the teams to take control over their own players and not have Goodell past judgement unless it is needed, instead of referring to him for every traffic violation.
August 5th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
It seems like in the NFL, you’re guilty until proven innocent.
Goodell needs to just butt out and look forward to the NFL seasons. He needs to stop fining players for simply just playing football and lay off. Seriously, the NFL is becoming the NPL (National Pussy League)
August 5th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Goodell is not declaring anyone guilty of any crime, he’s determining if actions taken by “employees” or “sub-contractors” if you prefer put the company in a bad light.
If a plumber is accused of stealing a diamond necklace out of someones bathroom, the plumbing company would probably find it prudent to either suspend him or limit his work to non owner occupied houses until he can be proven innocent, as another incident of that nature would look very poorly on the business and possibly lose the customer base.
Although, in this day and age, where it’s more important to win than do the right thing, where it’s not a big deal if you had to cheat to win, so long as you win… I can understand why so many don’t want Goodell punishing any player for anything they have done to “tarnish the shield”. In their eyes, the shield doesn’t matter, our team winning does.