Comments on: Goodell’s Gamble and The New “Pacman Rule” http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/ Bangin' and Scorin' Every Trip Down the Floor Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:15:28 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: evan @ nerditry http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2025 evan @ nerditry Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:52:37 +0000 http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2025 SML - I'm with you on the Bush comparison and the feeling that we're seeing a move towards consolidation of power in the front office. A big issue here is perception as the NFL is an institution within the country. Because of that, most fans don't make the leap in thinking that it is still a private corporation, under the control of a Commissioner and Board of Governors. Unless both the league and NFLPA have some kind of back room deal already agreed upon, this could be disastrous in light of how the Maurice Clarett case was decided. SML – I’m with you on the Bush comparison and the feeling that we’re seeing a move towards consolidation of power in the front office. A big issue here is perception as the NFL is an institution within the country. Because of that, most fans don’t make the leap in thinking that it is still a private corporation, under the control of a Commissioner and Board of Governors.

Unless both the league and NFLPA have some kind of back room deal already agreed upon, this could be disastrous in light of how the Maurice Clarett case was decided.

]]> By: stopmikelupica http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2020 stopmikelupica Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:50:13 +0000 http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2020 I meant "Goodell", not "Goodwill" - sorry about that. I meant “Goodell”, not “Goodwill” – sorry about that.

]]> By: stopmikelupica http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2019 stopmikelupica Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:49:31 +0000 http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2019 The main problem I have with the new rules is this (and I'm okay with Pac-Man Jones and Chris Henry's suspensions): You don't have to be found guilty of anything to be punished. In other words, if Kobe Bryant was in the NFL, he could have been suspended because of the rape accusation. I'm not sure if that's right. It seems completely arbitrary. Goodwill is essentially pulling a George Bush style move; he's increasing his job's power by taking advantage of a early crisis in his term. It's a little alarming because it indicates a certain level of power-hungriness in Goodwill's moves. The thing is I agree with suspending both Pac-Man Jones and Chris Henry (and the lengths are appropriate), but I don't like the ambiguity of the new "rules". They're not even rules - rules are clear; these are far from clear.... The main problem I have with the new rules is this (and I’m okay with Pac-Man Jones and Chris Henry’s suspensions): You don’t have to be found guilty of anything to be punished. In other words, if Kobe Bryant was in the NFL, he could have been suspended because of the rape accusation.

I’m not sure if that’s right. It seems completely arbitrary. Goodwill is essentially pulling a George Bush style move; he’s increasing his job’s power by taking advantage of a early crisis in his term. It’s a little alarming because it indicates a certain level of power-hungriness in Goodwill’s moves.

The thing is I agree with suspending both Pac-Man Jones and Chris Henry (and the lengths are appropriate), but I don’t like the ambiguity of the new “rules”. They’re not even rules – rules are clear; these are far from clear….

]]> By: evan @ nerditry http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2018 evan @ nerditry Wed, 11 Apr 2007 17:04:12 +0000 http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2018 Dax, I think that the Union's gambit is that they will be able to wait it out and the blow over will get addressed in meetings between the league/PA. They're in for some surprise because this won't blow over as Pacman will continue to get coverage on anything that may happen off field. I think that players are going to feel like they've been sold out unless this was a big bargaining chip that's already been negotiated to a mutual (re: financial benefit). The NFL is strongest in terms of overall exposure and the machine behind it, but it is far behind the NBA in their player-management role. Dax, I think that the Union’s gambit is that they will be able to wait it out and the blow over will get addressed in meetings between the league/PA. They’re in for some surprise because this won’t blow over as Pacman will continue to get coverage on anything that may happen off field.
I think that players are going to feel like they’ve been sold out unless this was a big bargaining chip that’s already been negotiated to a mutual (re: financial benefit). The NFL is strongest in terms of overall exposure and the machine behind it, but it is far behind the NBA in their player-management role.

]]> By: hnic http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2011 hnic Wed, 11 Apr 2007 14:09:16 +0000 http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2011 Evan, I agree that Upshaw had to be at least tacitly in on the deal. At this point, though, the Union has yet to release a statement. Any ideas about what that must mean? As for the possible strike: It will certainly be interesting how effective the new rule will be as a bargaining tool. Evan, I agree that Upshaw had to be at least tacitly in on the deal. At this point, though, the Union has yet to release a statement. Any ideas about what that must mean?

As for the possible strike: It will certainly be interesting how effective the new rule will be as a bargaining tool.

]]> By: evan @nerditry http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2009 evan @nerditry Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:42:51 +0000 http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2009 dax - I can't see that this is going to turn out well for the league in any sense because the cause hasn't changed, the effect likely will not either. Gene Upshaw has to be playing along with this for Goodell to think he'll have any ground to stand on and that may be selling out the players he represents. This rule could be a big part of the next round of negotiations as I've heard for a couple years that an NFL strike could be imminent. Surprising it hasn't happened in regard to the deals that players get in other leagues through the union. dax – I can’t see that this is going to turn out well for the league in any sense because the cause hasn’t changed, the effect likely will not either. Gene Upshaw has to be playing along with this for Goodell to think he’ll have any ground to stand on and that may be selling out the players he represents.

This rule could be a big part of the next round of negotiations as I’ve heard for a couple years that an NFL strike could be imminent. Surprising it hasn’t happened in regard to the deals that players get in other leagues through the union.

]]> By: Signal to Noise http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2005 Signal to Noise Wed, 11 Apr 2007 07:10:50 +0000 http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/goodell%e2%80%99s-gamble-and-the-new-%e2%80%9cpacman-rule%e2%80%9d/#comment-2005 That was my entire problem with the suspension, HNIC -- I thought, at least wait until Jones is actually charged -- although that would have screwed their teams if he waited until after the draft and everyone was snapped up in free agency. Pasquarelli also indulges in one of my least favorite rhetorical tricks -- one political writers use all the time -- of denigrating Tagliabue's actions due to his background as a defense lawyer, as if that is a liability, to be able to evaluate the ethics and legal aspects of such rules and laws of a league. That was my entire problem with the suspension, HNIC — I thought, at least wait until Jones is actually charged — although that would have screwed their teams if he waited until after the draft and everyone was snapped up in free agency.

Pasquarelli also indulges in one of my least favorite rhetorical tricks — one political writers use all the time — of denigrating Tagliabue’s actions due to his background as a defense lawyer, as if that is a liability, to be able to evaluate the ethics and legal aspects of such rules and laws of a league.

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