NFL Trying To Play Both Sides Of The Fence

March 28th, 2011

With the not-so-shocking news this morning that police in Texas have identified Bucs cornerback Aqib Talib as a “person of interest” in a disturbing domestic dispute where witnesses claim Talib tried to pistol whip and then shoot another man, it’s a good thing for Talib there is currently no CBA.

(Had there been a CBA, perhaps Talib would be at One Buc Palace working out and away from this mess back home?)

Since there is no CBA, the player conduct policy of the NFL is out the window. But NFL warden commissioner Roger Goodell has claimed he can still rule despite the players being locked out and no CBA in place.

Greg Aiello, spokesman for the NFL, e-mailed the Tampa Tribune Monday morning and it seems as if the NFL is trying to have things both ways.

“The conduct and drug policies are currently suspended,” Aiello said in an email to The Tampa Tribune on Monday. “However, any violations of law that occur during the work stoppage will be reviewed for potential discipline.”

That is consistent with statements NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made last week during the NFL owners’ meetings.

“The Personal Conduct Policy continues,” Goodell said. “It applies to everybody in the league. I don’t know how it would apply to the players under this circumstance, but it’s something I feel strongly about, that we owe to our fans.”

So what does this tell Joe? That with a new CBA in place, the owners are likely going to demand that language be included that all player conduct policies would be retroactive for the time during the lockout and that Talib will have to go to the principal’s office in New York to pay a visit to Goodell.

7 Responses to “NFL Trying To Play Both Sides Of The Fence”

  1. Gary Says:

    So the best case scenario of him being guilty of discharging a firearm is a misdemeanor, which would likely lead to a suspension of atleast 1 game because a gun was involved. great.

    Talib you stupid bastard. If you get convicted of a felony you just destroyed our chances at the playoffs next year. Biggers/Lewis will be nothing against #1 WRs.

    This really sucks.

  2. Ray Bucbolt Says:

    Guess the Bucs are gonna draft a cornerback after all…

  3. Capt.Tim Says:

    Once again, I am like a prophet! I said this guy is another Gruden/Allen idiot. He is a loose cannon you can’t build a secondary around. He just isn’t smart enough! Sign Nnamadi, then develop Lewis and Biggers. Talib is another Jackson, Stevens, Sears, etc,etc.. I said this would happen. This guy has been constantly in trouble. It’s obvious he has intelligence issues. They said on the news that he is a “person of interest” regarding discharging a firearm into an occupied building. That is a felony. Here, it’s a mandatory 20 years. I’m not sure about Texas. But if he’s shooting at people, his career may be done. I hoped he could mature, but you could tell this guy didn’t get the whole” act like a human” thing.

  4. Joe Says:

    Capt.Tim:

    Very irresponsible of you to lump Sears in with those others.

    Sears has a serious medical issue. That’s out of line man.

    Joe knows you hate Chucky and Bruce Almighty but don’t get carried away.

  5. Capt.Tim Says:

    I was referring to lost players drafted by them. Not, in that instance, failed characters. I was right about the secondary. Despite everyone betting on Talib, I said that wasn’t gonna work!

  6. The White Tiger Says:

    Hilarious.

    An honest to God millionaire has to be distracted by an NFL sanctioned workout – from an alleged pistol whipping/shooting someone?

    The story is NOT that Goodell wants to “reach out and touch” a player who is no longer covered by the CBA….!

    The story is that, once again, Aqib Talib has let his team down by engaging in eratic PERSONAL behavior…OFF THE FIELD.

    Let me repeat – the story here – is NOT a lockout or labor dispute (as much as you’d like to place blame at the feet of the owners) the story is about yet another numbskull NFL millionaire who can’t stop misbehavin’!!

    It’s almost like players who attack other players (at rookie symposiums, or on the practice field), smack cabbies around while hurtling down the highway, or go all Al Capone on folks, or even decide to “make it rain” at strip clubs -probably shouldn’t BE millionaires…?!

    How are players like this going to be made better by allowing them MORE?

    See, the bottom line is this – when players get more, it doesn’t help them behave better, it only makes the cost of settling out of court go UP.

    …which again, costs THEM nothing, it just makes the cost of tickets go higher…

    Tell me again why I need to be FOR making the costs of tickets go UP…?

    I’m starting to think the only reason sports WRITERS are for the players in the current labor dispute – is because it will help you get interviews with guys that you would otherwise only talk to…at the drive thru window.

  7. Capt.Tim Says:

    Signing Nnamadi looking like a pretty good potion right about now, huh? Not stupid or a waste after all! I’m glad the new regime is drafting high character guys! It’s amazing that we have lost so many of “Chucky’s” players we have lost to non-football issues! Even more amazing considering how few of his pathetic drafts actually produced players who could make the team!!

    I Swear I think Al Davis payed those two to screw the Bucs this bad- No one could suck that bad at drafting players by accident!