NFL Will Enforce Personal Conduct Policy

by Sander on Jun 27, 2011 8:01 PM EDT

Here's some bad news for Aqib Talib: it seems the NFL will want to dole out punishment for misbehavior by players during the lockout. The NFLPA is likely to fight this, but it is impossible to say whether they will succeed. Aqib Talib is currently charged with Felony Assault With a Deadly Weapon, and if convicted will face prison time. It is unlikely to come to that, though, as his lawyers sound confident and will push for a trial in lieu of coming to a plea deal. The fact that trial is not likely to come to a conclusion until after the season will likely delay the NFL's reaction, as they usually wait for the legal process to play out before doling out any punishment. If Talib is indeed found innocent, it would be unseemly for the NFL to punish him, but if a plea bargain is agreed upon he is unlikely to escape a suspension.

Aqib Talib isn't the only Buccaneer affected by this, however, as Alex Magee's marijuana citation could lead to additional punishment by the league as well. This would likely fall under the substance abuse policy, which means Alex Magee would either be placed on the list of offenders (which would mean no punishment), or suspended for four games if he's already on that list. That is, if the NFL chooses to see that citation as proof of marijuana use.

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Punishment for Alex Magee I could understand...

but Talib has only been charged, not convicted, and there is no assumption of guilt as yet. The citation for Magee is certainly proof that something did occur.

by Cracker Ball on Jun 27, 2011 9:31 PM EDT reply actions

but shouldn't NFL's juristiction only be for the season? really though..

Magee’s offense was so minute (less than 5grams?) and he was polite and courteous to the police officer, so leniency should DEFINATELY be considered. We’re not talking about Jeremy Stevens here

((b-town))

by Titankillah on Jun 27, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Not like Kenny's britts wrecklessness, or Stallworths vehicular manslaughter...

((b-town))

by Titankillah on Jun 27, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Stallworth’s jail sentence was a load of crap, but the season-long suspension is right about what I thought would happen. It’s rare for the NFL to hand out suspensions longer then a season unless the person is a chronic repeate offender.

I just wish I could understand how Vick got 2+ years for killing dogs, while Stallworth kills a person an got what, 30 days? I’m not defending Vick and think he should have done time, but I also count human life as far more valuable then canine.

by KRoa on Jun 27, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

You either don't know too many dogs

or you don’t know too many people. Possibly both.

On one hand humans are disgusting creatures while on the other dogs eat their own feces. Give me a dog any day, at least you can trust them. Unless they were ruined by a human, that is…

Also, there’s a question of intent. One was a reckless accident (which should have been dealt with more harshly, I agree), but the other was a system of cold-blooded killings, which went on for quite some time.

If you will it, dude, it is no dream.

by Kilgore on Jun 28, 2011 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions

To run someone over in Southbeach while drunk

Is pretty serious.

I have eight dogs, all strays, so I sympethise for them too.

But c’mon a $40 bag of pot in the same conversation as these two? Not neccesary.

Question: Are players in California who are protected by state pro-laws still subject to his petty enforcement? I bet since its a “private” organization they can do whatever they want huh? I hope the players fight these dogleash laws. Rockstars and Actors don’t get scrutinized as much as these guys. What gives?

((b-town))

by Titankillah on Jun 28, 2011 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think they take the amount into consideration. If it was enough that he could’ve tested positive, they’ll probably take that as a violation. Whether he actually tested positive or not doesn’t matter because he was caught with it, and obviously would have tested positive had drug testing been done.

All that being said, as Sander mentioned a mere citation may not be enough in the NFL’s eyes to be counted as proof of use. They probably COULD call it that, but it depends how lenient they’re feeling.

Also, the NFL’s jurisdiction isn’t going to be limited to a single season, because many court cases can take awhile to come to a conclusion. For instance, look at the Starcaps battle that Kevin and Pat Williams waged. It took roughly two seasons for that case to finally conclude, and it’s likely that whenever the next season begins they will serve 4 game suspensions.

by KRoa on Jun 27, 2011 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions

That Starcaps thing was utterly ridiculous. I mean I give The Wall Williams all the credit, staying in the fight. I thought it was determined that the supplement had unlisted ingredients?

((b-town))

by Titankillah on Jun 28, 2011 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions