Marshawn Lynch Files Appeal Against Suspension

I believe this has a great chance of getting reduced to 2 or 1 games, ala Brandon Marshall last year

5 months ago MARVelous 42 comments 0 recs |

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I believe it has a better chance of staying put than most.

What happened with Brandon Marshall? He appealed. They lowered it. He is back in trouble again.

This time around, Goodell may be more inclined to leave it where it is or maybe take one game away.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 14, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

An extra game suspended isn’t going to stop a guy from getting in trouble off the field….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 14, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then why suspend anyone at all?

Goodell obviously thinks it will.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 14, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because the next misstep is going to result in a much longer suspension.

Do you really think a guy who has a 1 or 2 game suspension is less likely to get into trouble than a guy who was suspended for 3 games?

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 14, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

and this is the way it goes….Goodell lays a firmer suspension, reduced by appeal by the player….at the end of the day this is a money game too. These are game checks, HUGE CHUNKS of money…..that’s why these guys win appeals. I’m not sure what Lynch makes a game this season but it ain’t no chump change

MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens

by MARVelous on May 14, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't matter if I think it.

I am saying if Goodell thought that suspending people wouldn’t work he wouldn’t suspend anybody. If there isn’t a huge difference between a two and a three game suspension why is Lynch appealing? If suspensions don’t work why give any? That doesn’t make sense.

If it’s the threat of the much longer suspension, couldn’t you say the first two times are a warning and the next time is 8 games? Why even go with the 2 or 3 game suspension if it doesn’t do anything?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 14, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If there isn’t a huge difference between a two and a three game suspension why is Lynch appealing?

$$$$ of course

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 14, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So obviously there is some punitive value of maintaining the three games vs. scaling back to two or one.

Look, the point I am trying to make is that it backfired on Goodell when he reduced Marshall’s suspension. Right or wrong, correlative or cause and effect, it backfired. He may give Marshawn the same benefit of the doubt or he may look at it and say I’m not going to make the same mistake twice.

For our sake, I hope he reduces it but it’s not as set in stone as people are making it out to be.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta agree with you MRW. I predict the suspension will either remain at 3 games or only be reduced to 2. If Goodell wants the action to have any teeth, he can’t cut it back to 1 game.

by thefourwinds on May 15, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course.. :-)

Marshall’s suspension was lowered because he attended counseling. Marshawn will likely offer to do the same so that is a reason to reduce it one game or two.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So obviously there is some punitive value of maintaining the three games vs. scaling back to two or one.

There is plenty of punitive value. But that’s different from what it would take to prevent Marshawn to screw up again. It’s punishment vs. rehabilitation. Guys come out of prison and typically go right back in regardless of how long they spent there. A bigger punishment for Marshawn doesn’t make him any more or less likely to keep his nose clean when we are only talking about a game or two.

by kaisertown on May 15, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still don't see how suspending him is rehabilitory then.

Goodell thinks it works. His is the only opinion that matters. That is what I am saying.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think it’s rehabilitory either. I think Goodell really suspends these guys to uphold the image of the league. And another thing to consider is that the actual punishment may not be a motivating factor, but the possibility of future punishment based on future mistakes is what keeps these guys motivated.

by kaisertown on May 15, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How did it backfire on Goodell? Would Marshall have stayed out of trouble if he still had the 3 game suspension? Should he have known Marshall would screw up again, therefore should have suspended him for longer?

The difference between a 1 and 2 game suspension is only financial. I really doubt it has any other effect on players. The potential for a lengthy suspension if they screw up again is where these short suspensions hold their weight.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 15, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How did it backfire on Goodell?

He reduced a suspension on appeal because a guy showed remorse, said he wasn’t gonna do it again, and went to counseling. Then he went out and did it again.

You’re right about the longer suspensions being held over their head so why not give warning, sternly worded warning, 8 games banger instead of warning, 3 game suspension, 8 game suspension?

This is really a ridiculous argument because we could argue the benefits and downfalls of both sides all day.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Timing is funny

After we sign Rhodes and give Action Jackson $2mm per annum!

Meanwhile Marshawn gave himself a 19% paycut!

that Cal Berkley education must not have taught him much!

by freddyjj on May 14, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lol..berkley is one the finest schools in the nation. their astrophsyics program is one the best.

by chaucer on May 14, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah but you gotta remember, he<s a football player from Birkley. My guess is that he wasn’t challenged all that much as a student

by CanadianBillsFan on May 14, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come on you don't think the guy who said this:

“wha it do YB? two words… BEAST MODE! we did are thang against dem chief. i had hella fun again playin wit my teammates gettin that W! i jus wasnt feelin dat late hit but its all good.”-

Was an academic allstar in astrophysics program?

by MichiganBillsFan84 on May 15, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

somewthing tells me that no.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 15, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it will be reduced to a game

when the story first broke a lot of us said this, and I think a lot of us stand by it. The only guys who really get 3-8 game suspensions and have them hold up are usually around when a gun has been fired or are repeat offenders. Lynch is NOT a repeat offender. This is his first under the NFL’s program. 1 game sounds about right. MRW just because of Marshall doesn’t mean Goodell will give Marshawn 3 games. What it does mean though, is that hes banking on Marshawn actually being serious about learning his lesson. If he’s not, then expect the hammer to come down. I’m not sure how much Marshawn can get serious. If you don’t think Marshawn can get it together then PRAY that it stays at 3. Then when he acts up again Goodell will only give him another 3 game suspension. If Goodell brings it down to 1, it means that Marshawn can’t get in trouble again or he’ll be smacked with a 6 gamer.

Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.

by poz on May 14, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I said at the beginning it would be one-two games.

And then Marhsall messed up. He could very well give Lynch the benefit of the doubt and move it back to one game. Or he could say it was a bad idea the first time and re-think what he does.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 14, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cry Babies in the N.F.L.

You know what I’m getting tired of these cry baby players that get in trouble and don’t want to do the punishment. Just suck it up quit crying and just do the time.

by billsfan1981 on May 14, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How does an appeal make one a “crybaby”? If you were told not to come into work for three weeks and that you wouldn’t be getting paid, wouldn’t you try to get that reduced?

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on May 14, 2009 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I were makeing that kind of money and got into trouble I would pay for my mistakes.

by billsfan1981 on May 15, 2009 7:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the blog, by the way.

But it’s not crybaby athletes. People file appeals in courts all the time. Should they be referred to in the same manner? It’s a little extreme.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it’s just the way the system works. It’s not just about Marshawn too. I’m sure he feels a responsibility to his team to get back on the field as soon as possible. It’s not like he’s appealing because he thinks that he has been wrongly punised (or at least I hope).

by kaisertown on May 15, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt that. I doubt any of us would just sacrifice huge paychecks that easily.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on May 15, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure...

I got a few hundred thousand bucks sitting around here somewhere I’m not using…

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone has a right to an appeal

That is what the system is for, can it be costly yup. But it’s there so you might as well use it.

by telka on May 14, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

being as objective as possible...

do u guys think that it should be reduced? as a bills fan, obviously i want our best players on the field. but i also don’t like the fact that athletes get away with too many offenses—whether it be DUI’s, drug possession, etc.

by chaucer on May 14, 2009 6:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

they get away with worse

I dont see why Marshawn shouldnt get a reduction if everyone else is

Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.

by poz on May 14, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that Marshawn will be reduced to a 1 game suspencion. That being said, I’d honestly like to see him serve the three. Maybe I’m naive, but I think it would be a bit more caracter building then a 1 gamer.

by CanadianBillsFan on May 14, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as we all know, the only game that really matters is the first one. regardless of what happens with the appeal, we still don’t get him for the patriots. there’s a lot of fans out there that’d be fine with a three-game suspension if it meant he could play on monday night football and kick some patriotic butt.

by the_prophet on May 14, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

upset

i’m just upset that he’s gonna be suspended for the pats game. i have tix to the monday night game in foxboro, and i would have loved to see beast mode run over bruschi.

by LIBi on May 14, 2009 6:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think ONE game fits the crime...

I just don’t think he belongs in the same category as Brandon Marshall or Plexico Burress. Ultimatley, he’s been involved in two incidents since coming to the NFL and in the end was charged with a traffic violation and a misdemeanor.

Do people think the punishments should be based on what actually happened OR what he was actually charged with? If you go by what he did, I guess three games fits (a felony). If you go by the charge, one game, tops.

by BuffaloWill on May 14, 2009 10:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How can you say he doesn't belong in Brandon Marshall's category?

Maybe not Brandon Marshall now but Brandon Marshall that was suspended for three games. Here is what Marshall was suspended for…

Marshall was arrested three times in a yearlong span beginning in March 2007. He’s due in court next month for a drunken driving trial and has had two domestic disputes, one of which has been dismissed and another that has yet to produce a formal charge.

Not even a conviction. Marshawn has plead guilty to two incidents. If anything, at the time of the suspensions, Marshawn is in worse position than Marshall was because his cases have been decided.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lynch vs. Marshall

I’m just saying that overall, Marshawn’s two crimes are pretty minor and Brandon Marshall is the perfect definition of a thug that can’t control himself. Whether he’s charged, convicted or not (or he pleas down), this guy just can’t stay out of the police blotter. Of course this is my opinion, but his list of incidents is MUCH longer than Lynch’s and many of them are domestic disputes or assaults (which are borderline violent crimes).

When I see Brandon Marshall I see a thug that probably headed for a Pacman Jones type suspension, and I don’t see that with Lynch. Is that me being a homer? Maybe…

by BuffaloWill on May 15, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well hitting a woman with a car is a borderline violent crime, too.

Marshall’s latest problems have been DUIs. I am not saying DUI is a minor crime but rather that Marshall hadn’t even been convicted but was still suspended. Marshawn pled guilty twice.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Big difference...

Our law puts a lot of weight on intent and hitting a woman with a car on accident and assaulting someone are completely different things. Maybe the result is similar, but the crime is very different. Just a month ago my 80 year old neighbor backed over a jogger pulling out of her driveway…that’s not a borderline violent crime, that’s an accident. The crime is leaving the scene or being under the influence (which we will never know with Marshawn). His plea deal charged him with “failure to use caution” or something like that, but his crime was hit and run.

I’ve plead guilty to more traffic violations than Marshawn, BTW. That doesn’t make me any more or less of a criminal than him. My point (opinion) is that Marshalls actions are worse and he’s a thug. I don’t see Lynch that way.

by BuffaloWill on May 15, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Upon further review he has some assault stuff going on now. But when he was suspended it was for the DUI arrests, not convictions. If Goodell suspends people for arrests, he may see plea deals differently. Like you are owning up to it and moving on or something. Since this most recent event Marshawn has done almost everything the right way so maybe he will be given a reduction. And maybe he won’t.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on May 15, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A reduction from 3 games to 1 game should move Lynch back to the cusp of top 10 backs for fantasy purposes. At 3 games he certainly had to be around 15-17th best RB.

Projection: 2 game suspension: 14 GP: 1000 yards 8 tds 30 catches 200 yards 1 td.

Fred Jackson: 15 GP: 500 yards 1 TD 45 catches 300 yards 1 TD

Dominic Rhodes: 16 GP: 300 yards 1 TDs 15 catches 100 yards 0 TDs

RB Total: 1800 yards 10 Tds 80 catches 600 yards 2 Tds.

by Berg79 on May 15, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs