If NFL commissioner Roger Goodell expected the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) to support his “Bountygate” punishment to players, he better think twice.

League officials met with representatives of the NLPA to discuss possible penalties to be metered out to New Orleans Saints defensive players who are said to have taken part in the bounty program.

Instead of offering their support for the commissioner’s plan, the union has asked the NFL to provide it with all the information from the league’s investigation that revealed that roughly two dozen defensive players (between 22 and 27) were part of the Saints’ pay-for-pain bounty pool. The pool awarded thousands of dollars in cash bonuses from 2009-11 for vicious hits that knocked targeted opponents out of games.

According to the NFL, one example of the Saints bounty program involves linebacker Joathan Vilma, who supposedly offered $10,000 to any New Orleans player who sidelined Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre during the 2010 NFC championship game.

“Our team will meet with the NFL today, ask hard questions and will expect to see all documents and direct evidence of a pay-to-injure scheme,” DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, told the website Pro Player Insiders on Monday. “That is what a fair process dictates. I will get a full briefing by our team and after that the next step will be to consult with players about what was learned. Only then will we confer with the NFL. ”

According to the NFL commissioner, the league has given the NFLPA two confidential reports on the investigation.

“I think we all need to move forward,” he said. “We’ve been open about what we’ve been able to find. We released it publicly.”

Now the commissioner and league officials will wait for a recommendation from the NFLPA.

The league should be expect that the NFLPA will do everything possible to protect their union members in this case; not only to protect their own but to prevent their members from possible criminal charges that could result if the players admit to participating in the bounty program.

Don’t expect a quick resolution. Expect the NFLPA to continue protecting their own in Bountygate.

Does NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hold a grudge? It seems so. In an interview this week with Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, Goodell states he was deceived by Patriots coach Bill Belichick assurance that he would tell his side of the Spygate controversy that occurred back in 2007.

If you don’t remember, the Spygate controversy refers to an incident in the 2007 NFL season when the New England Patriots were disciplined by the National Football League (NFL) for videotaping New York Jets’ defensive coaches’ signals during a September 9, 2007 game from a sideline location.

This act was deemed a violation of league rules by Commissioner Roger Goodell. After an investigation, the NFL fined Patriots head coach Bill Belichick $500,000 for his role in the incident, fined the Patriots $250,000, and docked the team their original first-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft.

And according to Goodell, Belichick was supposed to publicly apologize for his role in the scandal and address it head on with the media.
More on Goodell Deceived By Belichick’s Spygate Assurances

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, acting as juror, judge and executor, sentenced Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a six game suspension without pay for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. Roethisberger was also ordered to undergo a behavioral evaluation.

Goodell handed down the decision after a 20 year-old college student accused Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting her in a Georgia nightclub back in March. Ben was suspended even though Georgia prosecutors decided not to charge Roethlisberger for sexual assualt.

Goodell, in a letter sent to the former 2-time Super Bowl champ said, “I recognize that the allegations in Georgia were disputed and that they did not result in criminal charges being filed against you,”

“My decision today is not based on a finding that you violated Georgia law, or on a conclusion that differs from that of the local prosecutor. That said, you are held to a higher standard as an NFL player, and there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”

As part of the suspension, Roethlisberger must undergo a behavioral evaluation by medical professionals before he can participate or attend any team off-season activities.

Goodell left open the possibility that he could reduce the suspension from 6 games to 4. The Steeler QB could lose close to $3 million in salary if he sits out 6 games.

Many in the NFL expressed shock at the length of the suspension, given he was not charged with a crime. However, this is not the first time Ben Roethlisberger has been accused of improrieties. Back in the summer of 2008, a woman named Andrea McNulty in Nevada accused Roethlisbeger of sexual assault.

Will the suspension of Ben Roethlisberger mean the Steelers won’t make the NFL playoffs in 2010? Not necessarily, especially if the sentence is reduced to 4 games. The Steelers are scheduled with a bye in NFL Week 5, allowing the Steelers to give Roethlisberger all the reps to get ready for NFL Week 6. Here is Steelers schedule for the first six games in 2010.

Sunday, September 12 – Atlanta Falcons – Home
Sunday, September 19 – Tennessee Titans – Away
Sunday, September 26 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Away
Sunday, October 3 – Baltimore Ravens – Home
Sunday, October 10 – BYE
Sunday, October 17 – Cleveland Browns – Home
Sunday, October 24 – Miami Dolphins – Home

source: foxsports.com, espn