The NFL can't risk looking soft on player safety issues. But even at that, Browns' linebacker Scott Fujita and the other players suspended Wednesday had it coming, Bud Shaw writes.
AP fileNew Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and then-teammate Scott Fujita (lower left) corralled Kansas City's Larry Johnson on this play from the 2008 season. Vilma will miss the entire 2012 season and Fujita will sit out the first three games with the Browns this fall for their roles in the bounty scandal with the Saints. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The NFL correctly came down hard on those who led or got in the way...
The NFL Players Association is pledging to fight Wednesday's suspensions of four players, including Browns' linebacker Scott Fujita. The association is warning the league to "get ready for a massive multiple legal battle over this on several fronts."
Wish NFLPA lawyers luck with that. And tell 'em to get in line.
If you played in the league anytime in the last 50 or 60 years, honk if you're not suing the NFL. Every day, former players are being urged to join lawsuits seeking compensation for concussions. Most recently, former Browns' No. 1 picks Courtney Brown and Tim Couch, along with quarterback Charlie Frye, joined the brigade alleging league negligence.
With litigation pending and lots more under way, anybody think the NFL will risk looking soft on a player safety issue anytime soon?
The Couch-Brown lawsuit also asserts a class action that seeks "medical monitoring" of players who aren't yet experiencing health consequences, but who suffered concussions during their playing days. Just in the potential to attract plaintiffs, that action dwarfs the NFLPA's threatened litigation on behalf of New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma, defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove, defensive end Will Smith and Fujita.
Except for when he's hugging it out with first-round draft choices at Radio City Music Hall, commissioner Roger Goodell plays the head disciplinarian role quite convincingly. He was the Hanging Judge even before the Saints made it so easy for him, first by ignoring a warning, then by players taking ownership of fund raising for the program and by Gregg Williams instructing players on specific body parts to target.
Goodell limited his suspensions to players he believed played more than a passive role, or, in the case of Hargrove, obstructed the 2010 investigation. It correctly avoided broad punishment of players, some of whom might have felt they were putting their job security at risk by not going along with Williams' program.
April 24 Roger Goodell interview with Sirius/XM radio on the bounty investigation
Fujita's three-game suspension was the lightest behind Vilma (a year), Hargrove (eight games) and Smith (four games). All will appeal. To Goodell, as it stands. (Even better luck with that.)
Fujita's claim that he was part of a program that rewarded teammates only for great plays apparently didn't fly, but his three-game suspension -- compared to the rest -- suggests he got some consideration from the commissioner. Not enough, in his mind, I'm sure.
Do I think Fujita went after players' knees and heads in hopes of inflicting physical harm? No. Did Saints' players use a reward system outside the limits of the collective bargaining agreement? Absolutely. Did Fujita play an active role by contributing money to the program? That's what the NFL believes.
The league claims Fujita, a linebacker, pledged significant money to a prohibited pay-for-performance/bounty pool during the 2009 playoffs. Apparently the money wasn't going to "fleur de lis" helmet stickers. The league says the money collected in the bounty program paid players for "cart-offs" and "knockouts."
The NFLPA can complain about Goodell's heavy hand. It's what you'd expect from a player advocacy group. But Goodell smartly hammered Saints' management and coaches first. Those penalties frame Tuesday's discipline as reasonable.
It also puts the NFLPA in an oddly delicate spot -- arguing on behalf of players who ran a program that rewarded hits and knockouts of their fellow union members.
SPINOFFS
New Orleans backup QB Chase Daniel Tweeted that Vilma learned about his year's suspension by watching ESPN's "SportsCenter" instead of hearing it directly from the league: "I was standing right next 2 @jonvilma51 when he found out abt his suspension ON @SportsCenter. Really? He has to find out about it that way?"
I'm sure Goodell meant to call, but he's still locked in an embrace with Fletcher Cox...
Saw the Stooges movie Tuesday night and dreamed about the Indians-White Sox third inning. Or the other way around, I can't remember...
ESPN's Buster Olney made note that Ubaldo Jimenez didn't make a Sox hitter swing and miss until his 92nd pitch Tuesday. And then it required the entire Indians' infield hollering, "Swing, batter"...
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd said on Tuesday's episode of "E:60" that he smoked crack immediately before taking the mound for a May 11, 1986 start at Oakland. Here's betting at least one A's hitter swung and missed before the 92nd pitch of the game...
Finally, though, an explanation for Oil Can saying after a 1986 game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium was canceled for fog, "That's what happens when you build a park on the ocean. ..."
Former Cavaliers' head coach Paul Silas, a good man, is gone in Charlotte after a 7-59 season. Michael Jordan will consider firing himself -- if he ever shows up in the office again...
USA Today released its early line on the top 10 NFL draft prospects for 2013. If that's happening already, it's almost impossible not to root for the Mayans in December...
The Browns say they're not looking to move Colt McCoy. The last time they were this adamant they said they were going to support him as their starter via the draft...
Browns draft pick John Hughes told 92.3 The Fan he wasn't surprised the Browns drafted him in third round. So he's the one. ...
AP fileHe's accomplished impossible missions and been enterprising in space, but can he hit a curve? Minnesota GM Rick Spielman said of the Browns' decision to trade up with the Vikings to take Trent Richardson, "Cleveland did the right thing." By him.
Actually, if Richardson is as good as most people other than Jim Brown think, the Vikings should have received even more in return...
Despite obvious similarities and their shared geography in the great northwest, Petrie has never worked with Mike Holmgren...
SEPARATED AT BIRTH
Indians' outfielder Aaron Cunningham and British comedian Simon Pegg -- Nancy
HE SAID IT
"I feel like I can get through to players when they are scuffling." -- Johnny Damon, on his role as a veteran clubhouse influence.
AP fileWith a lifetime MLB batting average of .233, the curve might be a problem for this Indian, too. Looking at the Indians hitting in 2012, he's come to the right place.
HE TWEETED IT
"Rose should have signed with Nike because Lebron is getting stronger, while Rose is breaking down before our very eyes" -- Nike shoe designer Jason Petrie after the Bulls' Derrick Rose tore his knee up while wearing adidas, ending his season.
Nike hasn't looked this warm and fuzzy since all the old stories about using child labor in third world countries. Petrie apologized but only after Tweeting, "Just to set the record straight, if you ain't with me you against me..."
YOU SAID IT
(The Expanded Midweek Edition)
"Bud:
"If Browns' receivers dropped Colt's pillow lobs like they were greased with chicken fat, how are they going to catch Weeden's fastball spirals?" -- Michael Sarro
In self defense.
"Bud:
"What do you suppose Metta World Peace and World B. Free discuss when they get together?" -- Bob, Solon
World domination.
"Hey Bud:
"Johnny Damon finally joined the club in Chicago. I have not seen this much excitement in the ole Wigwam since the Tribe opened the season with Rudy Regalado at third base. Can you come up with an event to match this one for intrigue and anticipation?" -- Dr. Grinder
Other than the signing of Jake Delhomme?
"Bud:
"If the Browns' wide receivers disguise themselves as clay pigeons, can the Browns win six games this year with Weeden at QB?" -- Jake Crouse, Cleveland Heights
For those who watched the Browns in 2011, you know that inanimate objects would not qualify as a "disguise" for the receiving corps.
Bud:
"Since Tiger's golf career is not what it used to be, what do you think of him joining the Secret Service?" -- Edward Aube
First-time "You Said It" winners receive a T-shirt from the Mental Floss collection.
"Bud:
"Do you think when Amare Stoudemire had the fire extinguisher incident, he was having anger management issues, or just following directions that said 'break glass'?" -- Jim Lefkowitz, Pepper Pike
Repeat winners know the drill.
On Twitter: @budshaw