Moore: Why Cowboys should not be surprised that NFL has yet to rule on Hardy’s appeal

Cotton

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Why Cowboys should not be surprised that NFL has yet to rule on Greg Hardy’s appeal

David Moore
Published: June 18, 2015 3:55 pm

Now that Cowboys mini-camp is done and players are about to disperse, you can expect a ruling on Greg Hardy’s appeal in the near future.

Those who search for meaning as to why arbiter Harold Henderson has yet to issue a response, those who wonder if this is a good or bad thing, miss the point.

One, Henderson is under no obligation to reach his decision in a specific timeframe.

Two, did anyone believe a ruling would be handed down when the media still had locker room access to the players?

Think about it. If Henderson upholds the 10-game suspension, don’t you think a player or two would criticize the process? Is it unreasonable to expect that in trying to support Hardy, some players would say they consider the suspension too harsh?

Imagine how those comments would play on a national stage: Cowboys defend Hardy, showing NFL players still don’t understand serious nature of domestic abuse.

The same applies if Henderson significantly reduces commissioner Roger Goodell’s penalty: Cowboys say NFL was right to reduce suspension because it was too severe.

Again, this doesn’t strike the proper political note the NFL desperately needs after its initial tone deaf response in the Ray Rice case.

That’s why Henderson has yet to rule on Hardy’s appeal.

And that’s why we’ll know what he thinks soon.
 

boozeman

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Moore: By delaying Greg Hardy appeal ruling, NFL controls the message

Moore: By delaying Greg Hardy appeal ruling, NFL controls the message

By delaying Greg Hardy appeal ruling, NFL controls the message

David Moore Follow @DavidMooreDMN Email dmoore@dallasnews.com

Published: June 18, 2015 3:55 pm



Now that Cowboys mini-camp is done and players are about to disperse, you can expect a ruling on Greg Hardy’s appeal in the near future.

Those who search for meaning as to why arbiter Harold Henderson has yet to issue a response, those who wonder if this is a good or bad thing, miss the point.

One, Henderson is under no obligation to reach his decision in a specific timeframe.

Two, did anyone believe a ruling would be handed down when the media still had locker room access to the players?

Think about it. If Henderson upholds the 10-game suspension, don’t you think a player or two would criticize the process? Is it unreasonable to expect that in trying to support Hardy, some players would say they consider the suspension too harsh?

Imagine how those comments would play on a national stage: Cowboys defend Hardy, showing NFL players still don’t understand serious nature of domestic abuse.

The same applies if Henderson significantly reduces commissioner Roger Goodell’s penalty: Cowboys say NFL was right to reduce suspension because it was too severe.

Again, this doesn’t strike the proper political note the NFL desperately needs after its initial tone deaf response in the Ray Rice case.

That’s why Henderson has yet to rule on Hardy’s appeal.

And that’s why we’ll know what he thinks soon.
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Have to agree with this take.
 

Cowboysrock55

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This is horseshit. An appeals process shouldn't be controlled by outside factors like that.
 
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Deuce

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This is horseshit. An appeals process shouldn't be controlled by outside factors like that.
I think it's good someone outside of Goodell's control hears the appeal, but there should be strict time frames set.
 

peplaw06

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While I would like to think an arbitrator would be a true neutral and not subject to the timeframes and pressures of the league office, I don't doubt they have some control over him.

Does anyone know if the arbitrator is appointed by the CBA or if the league and union just agree on someone outside the CBA?
 

Cotton

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While I would like to think an arbitrator would be a true neutral and not subject to the timeframes and pressures of the league office, I don't doubt they have some control over him.

Does anyone know if the arbitrator is appointed by the CBA or if the league and union just agree on someone outside the CBA?
Appointed by the commissioner.
 

peplaw06

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Yeah that causes all kinds of problems. Is this the same arbitrator that reduced the penalty on Adrian Peterson?
 

Cotton

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Yeah that causes all kinds of problems. Is this the same arbitrator that reduced the penalty on Adrian Peterson?
It's the same arbitrator that upheld Peterson's suspension. Peterson had to go to federal court and it was Judge Doty that reduced his suspension.
 

Cowboysrock55

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It's the same arbitrator that upheld Peterson's suspension. Peterson had to go to federal court and it was Judge Doty that reduced his suspension.
The interesting thing is Judge Doty is sort of the controlling case law now. So the arbitrator should be using that to make his decision in this case. We shall see though, the arbitrator is clearly not an unbiased third party.
 

Cotton

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The interesting thing is Judge Doty is sort of the controlling case law now. So the arbitrator should be using that to make his decision in this case. We shall see though, the arbitrator is clearly not an unbiased third party.
Not even close. He has a history with Goodell.
 

peplaw06

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Not even close. He has a history with Goodell.
I really can't believe the NFLPA gives Goodell the power to select arbitrators like they do... or how they let him appoint himself to hear appeals. When parties are actually able to negotiate terms for how arbitration is conducted, then a neutral arbitrator is basically a given.
 

Cotton

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I really can't believe the NFLPA gives Goodell the power to select arbitrators like they do... or how they let him appoint himself to hear appeals. When parties are actually able to negotiate terms for how arbitration is conducted, then a neutral arbitrator is basically a given.
Yeah, it's just another example of how much power he has. I mean, what's the point of him doling out the suspensions and then appointing his best bud to arbitrate it? How about not insulting our intelligence by calling it an arbitration at all?
 

Cowboysrock55

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Yeah, it's just another example of how much power he has. I mean, what's the point of him doling out the suspensions and then appointing his best bud to arbitrate it? How about not insulting our intelligence by calling it an arbitration at all?
Or why not just have the hearing himself aka Tom Brady. Conflicts of interest all over the place but it's part of the agreements bargained upon by the players and the NFL.
 
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