Should NFL Give Patriots $7,500,000 Relief ??

[BigKen]

I love reading about all those "red flags" that were flying around Hernandez when his first contract was expiring. The Patriots would be the most brilliant managers if Hernandez hadn't been caught and was still playing or if he hadn't done anything.

The NFL is basically bullshit anyway. If they were as serious about anything, they'd ban a player for life if he tested positive for any banned drug or substance. Kick out one guy and everyone else would fall in line. DUI? Easy.....no pay, no play for one year. Second offense, you're done. Finally, if you're kicked out of the league for violating substance rules, you lose your pension. In a case like Hernandez, he's pretty much done anyway. Nobody would sign him because the fan backlash would be brutal. His attorneys are starting to put some pressure on the MA Attorney General. They're hinting that they're ready to go to trial and the Commonwealth is starting to panic a bit. Last week they put the brakes on getting Hernandez's jail conversation tapes because they claim the state is scouring for evidence because their case is so weak. They don't have and can't find the murder weapon. They can't put Hernandez with the deceased at the time of death............it's still very circumstantial. If Hernandez attorneys push for a trial, they're going to get it or the Commonwealth could be placed in the position of debying him his right to a fair and expedicious trial.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I love reading about all those "red flags" that were flying around Hernandez when his first contract was expiring.
QUOTE]


They signed him to an extension before his contract was set to expire because he had not waved anymore red flags since college.

Semantics, I know.

 

[patsfan187]

they should but wont

 

[Southieinnc]

The Pats Cap hit is not that bad. If the league were to "remove" Hernandez cap hit, it would put us in a superior position even though we screwed up. I can't see the League helping us get ahead for our own mistakes. All drafting and signing is "at risk" The league "taking responsibility" for it does not make sense here. IMHO

 

[NEhomer]

The Pats Cap hit is not that bad. If the league were to "remove" Hernandez cap hit, it would put us in a superior position even though we screwed up. I can't see the League helping us get ahead for our own mistakes. All drafting and signing is "at risk" The league "taking responsibility" for it does not make sense here. IMHO

 

[Southieinnc]

Ok, I'll explain. We drafted AH. Not the Bucs, not the Dolphins. I think that each team is responsible for who they draft or sign. I'm not saying what happened was the Pats fault, I'm saying you take your picks and take your chances. If the league bailed out everybody, this would be a mess. Why should we gain an advantage for what is not any other teams responsibility? Through a franklin on the blackjack table. If you lose it is not your "fault" Just bad luck, generally. Try and get your money back!

(and of course I'll take the money if they're giving it)

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I agree with Southiennc for the simple reason it would open a can of worms. If the Pats got relief for Hernandez, there would be other cases that come up, and where do you draw the line? I doubt the NFL wants to open up that can of worms.

 

[NEhomer]

Actually that what happened is the Pats fault is kind of what you are saying.

If a team dismisses a player for conduct, that's different than for incarceration. Pats couldn't have played Hernandez if they wanted to. How many of those situations arise that it would truly be rampant?

If my club breaks during a round of golf, I'm allowed to replace it. maybe it's me but it appears to defy logic.

 

[JDM]

I agree with Southiennc for the simple reason it would open a can of worms. If the Pats got relief for Hernandez, there would be other cases that come up, and where do you draw the line? I doubt the NFL wants to open up that can of worms.

If you look to my comments on the first page it summarizes my understanding from a legal perspective. I do believe the timing of the release can be overcome because of the severity of the case, but we shall see.


From a league perspective it's simple IMO. If they get the money back, it should go to the players. If they don't, they shouldn't get some special exemption.

 

[NEhomer]

I agree with Southiennc for the simple reason it would open a can of worms. If the Pats got relief for Hernandez, there would be other cases that come up, and where do you draw the line? I doubt the NFL wants to open up that can of worms.

Again Harold, what can of worms?

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Again Harold, what can of worms?

What can of worms? If the Pats get relief for Hernandez, the next team that has a player put behind bars will want relief. Maybe it's not for murder, but selling drugs. or carrying a gun in NY, whatever. Why would the NFL even want to consider it. Much easier to tell teams that it was your call so too bad.

 

[JDM]

Again, all teams have certain actions that result in forfeitable breaches of contract and can result in signing bonus money being returned. Incarceration is one of them under some circumstances, and Hernandez would almost certainly meet those if convicted and New England had waited until he missed team events as a result of his incarceration. They elected not to for PR reasons, but they are still likely to have a legal case in that regard due to the severity of his crime.

The league doesn't really have much of a can of worms IMO. If money is owed back to the team, based on their contracts with the players association it should be earmarked back to the players, AKA, cap room.

The falcons did eventually get some cap room back for micheal Vick, for the record.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Again, all teams have certain actions that result in forfeitable breaches of contract and can result in signing bonus money being returned. Incarceration is one of them under some circumstances, and Hernandez would almost certainly meet those if convicted and New England had waited until he missed team events as a result of his incarceration. They elected not to for PR reasons, but they are still likely to have a legal case in that regard due to the severity of his crime.

The league doesn't really have much of a can of worms IMO. If money is owed back to the team, based on their contracts with the players association it should be earmarked back to the players, AKA, cap room.

The falcons did eventually get some cap room back for micheal Vick, for the record.

Mmmm I guess they did. Looks like the NFL already opened that can of worms. I'm guessing wording of the contract may make a difference.

 

[JDM]

Like I said, leave it simple. If they are able to legally get the money back, put it back towards the salary cap. It would be unfair to the players to turn that cash into profit for the owner. If they can't, leave it alone. The money was spent.

 

[Southieinnc]

Again, all teams have certain actions that result in forfeitable breaches of contract and can result in signing bonus money being returned. Incarceration is one of them under some circumstances, and Hernandez would almost certainly meet those if convicted and New England had waited until he missed team events as a result of his incarceration. They elected not to for PR reasons, but they are still likely to have a legal case in that regard due to the severity of his crime.

The league doesn't really have much of a can of worms IMO. If money is owed back to the team, based on their contracts with the players association it should be earmarked back to the players, AKA, cap room.

The falcons did eventually get some cap room back for micheal Vick, for the record.

You make a very good point, JDM. I just do not agree that the NFL should do it. If that is the legal justification, then it is not opening a can of worms the can of worms is already open. Take the money.....

 

[UK Cowboy]

Not a chance in hades. If that happens then every team is going to be looking for relief when a player gets in trouble with the law.

Unless Goodell wants to make it common for teams to cut any player who gets a DUI or has an off the field legal issue. if that is his angle, then he should do this cap relief. Otherwise, it sets a bad precedence and bails out a team who took a gamble and lost.

100% agree. As when the Cowboys had to pass on a great WR like Randy Moss because they had to clean up their image, maybe the Patriots shouldn't take talented guys who have red flags in their past. The Patriots did a background on Hernandez, they may not have known he was a murderer, but they knew he wasn't Tim Tebow either. They wanted the talent, now they need to deal with it

 

[Yankee Traveler]

100% agree. As when the Cowboys had to pass on a great WR like Randy Moss because they had to clean up their image, maybe the Patriots shouldn't take talented guys who have red flags in their past. The Patriots did a background on Hernandez, they may not have known he was a murderer, but they knew he wasn't Tim Tebow either. They wanted the talent, now they need to deal with it

There is a big difference between a kid that smoked some pot and got into a tussle in high school, and a guy that matures into a psycopathic spree killer.

Even stilla player gats a DUI or fails a drug test, it should be on the team to re-educate him and straighten him out. Multiple offenses proves he is incorigable and the team should be able to cut him without fear of retribution from the league. the NFL should back up the teams owners/coaches and both suspend the player making him unavailable to other teams, and refund the cap space.

The only way the players will be accountable for their actions is if they are held accountable for their actions.

 

[NEhomer]

100% agree. As when the Cowboys had to pass on a great WR like Randy Moss because they had to clean up their image, maybe the Patriots shouldn't take talented guys who have red flags in their past. The Patriots did a background on Hernandez, they may not have known he was a murderer, but they knew he wasn't Tim Tebow either. They wanted the talent, now they need to deal with it[/QUOTE]

Wow, what a stupid statement.

 

[UK Cowboy]

100% agree. As when the Cowboys had to pass on a great WR like Randy Moss because they had to clean up their image, maybe the Patriots shouldn't take talented guys who have red flags in their past. The Patriots did a background on Hernandez, they may not have known he was a murderer, but they knew he wasn't Tim Tebow either. They wanted the talent, now they need to deal with it

Wow, what a stupid statement.

Oh yeah, I'm sure if it were the Cowboys looking for $7.5 million in relief, you'd be all for it. I'm guessing you wanted the Yankees cleared of the ARod deal too?

 

[JDM]

Oh yeah, I'm sure if it were the Cowboys looking for $7.5 million in relief, you'd be all for it. I'm guessing you wanted the Yankees cleared of the ARod deal too?

It's really simple. Going to jail is grounds to have to pay back a big portion of your signing bonus. If the money is returned, it is earmarked for the players by the CBA, which mandates what percentage of money goes to the players.

Now whether the money is returned is complicated by the fact that he was released prior to conviction, but this is entirely a contractual debate that is likely to go to court. The release prior to conviction, provided he is convicted, will likely be offset by the severity of crimes he is convicted of, and they will still have a fairly strong case. But this is all outside of the league's say.

What matters is whether they get the money back. If they do, they pretty much have to get the cap space back as well. Putting it in kraft's pocket won't be viable.