Ray Rice Reinstated, Will Anyone Dare...???

((HT: WJZ-TV))

The HQ saw this coming a while back...

When it appeared that the NFL had gone after now-former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in a double jeopardy sense after the assault of his then-fiancee, Janay Palmer, in an elevator we thought the second suspension constituted what we thought.

Overzealous activity...

So, yes when judge Barbara Jones heard the case as an arbitor, we figured this would be her response:

"In this arbitration, the NFL argues that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time. Because, after careful consideration of all of the evidence, I am not persuaded that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview, I find that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated," Jones' decision stated.

"I find that the NFLPA carried its burden of showing that Rice did not mislead the Commissioner at the June 16th meeting, and therefore, that the imposition of a second suspension based on the same incident and the same known facts about the incident, was arbitrary," Jones also wrote.

"The Commissioner needed to be fair and consistent in his imposition of discipline.

"Moreover, any failure on the part of the League to understand the level of violence was not due to Rice's description of the event but to the inadequacy of words to convey the seriousness of domestic violence. That the League did not realize the severity of the conduct without a visual record also speaks to their admitted failure in the past to sanction this type of conduct more severely."

Here's the rundown from Baltimore...


Now, the larger question: Will anyone hire him for the stretch run this season or will there be some kind of collusion/adverse reaction to public opinion that will keep Rice unemployed in the NFL...???

The HQ thinks the latter...

For a while...

Ravens Owner Says Rice Leaked Info To ESPN for Investigation

By now, if you are following the ongoing saga of the NFL and Ray Rice, you are probably aware of a story released by ESPN's Outside the Lines saying the Ravens knew everything and tried help hide the existence of the damning "elevator" video.

In case you haven't read it, you can read the Don Van Natta and Kevin Van Valkenburg investigation RIGHT HERE

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti came out firing, accusing Rice, his friends and his defense team of leaking information, trying to help build a case for Rice to return to football at some point in time.

He also publicly apologized for not following through and trying to look at the video inside the elevator at the New Jersey Casino. He admitted he was wrong and and wishes he could do it over again.

Bisciotti simultaneously released a letter to the Ravens fan base which is posted on their website: (A brief summary)

--Bisciotti reiterates this: "As I stated to you in my letter on September 9th, we did not do all we should have done and no amount of explanation can remedy that. But there has been no misdirection or misinformation by the Ravens"

--A statement by Ravens head of security Darren Sanders who is been alleged to have seen or informed of the inside the elevator video shortly after Ray Rice punched Janay Rice in the elevator:

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw."

---A statement by team G.M Ozzie Newsome who is alleged to have been told exactly what happened by Rice.

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he 
saw. "

--And then this, countering the allegation Bisciotti offered Rice a job after releasing him. And that the offer was made for "hush" money:

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw. "

You can read the entire statement countering all points of the article RIGHT HERE

Bisciotti spent a good portion of the time talking about his surprise the NFL did not know about the video and not thinking to ask Rice's lawyer, who DID have the tape, to see it.

He also got emotional denying that he lobbied NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a shorter suspension for Rice initially saying, "Why would I do that?" "I played golf with the commissioner but nobody has ever accused us of being friends" "I expected a 4-6 game suspension for Ray, not 2"

Another strong statement: The NFL has never escalated domestic violence to the level of bar fights and drugs. And to be honest, he's right. He's done a strong job of stating the NFL's weakness, inequity and lack of a strong discipline policy. He also said this is a great opportunity for the league and for Goodell to take the lead and change and elevate the response to domestic violence.

To his credit, Bisciotti was quite a bit more open and emotional than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell when talking about the issue. He did not hide behind vagueness, he was upset he and his team's integrity was being questioned. And his team came prepared to repute every aspect of ESPN's report.

We suspect the truth in this matter, like most, lies somewhere between these two stories. But props to Bisciotti and the Ravens team for being prepared and able to explain every accusation.

We hope to god this is the end of the lengthy press conferences about this subject. It happened. It was horrible. A lot of people made a lot of mistakes. Let's find out who did and when the time is right, release the information.

But until then, we are ready for the Sports world to move on.

ESPN Eviscerates Ravens and NFL's Ray Rice Explanation

((ht: espn.com))

Oh boy! Nothing like dropping a bombshell on a Friday night. But man, if you are following the saga of the NFL, Baltimore Ravens and how they handled the Ray Rice incident, this is huge.

ESPN's Outside the Line produced a detailed report that went into great behind the scenes detail to explain what the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL may or may not have known while investigating now former Raven Ray Rice.

You can read their fantastically detailed report RIGHT HERE

Yeah...

The report cites multiple sources who say the Ravens knew quite a bit more about what happened than they let on. But they gave Rice the benefit of the doubt because of the good deeds he'd done for them.

But it also details Rice's lawyer seeing the videotape long before it was made public and making the team aware of it. In fact, they apparently knew just hours after the February incident, exactly what happened. Which DIRECTLY contradicts what team owner Steve Bisciotti has gone on the record saying.

It also speaks about Ravens coach John Harbaugh wanting Rice gone immediately after hearing about what happened. Harbaugh was overruled by team president Dick Cass and G.M Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh apparently tried again when two other players got in trouble to cut those two along with Rice. Again he was overruled. This all happened before the video became public.

Essentially, the report calls the Ravens liars.

And Roger Goodell along with his investigators are not spared. While not saying Goodell himself actually saw the video, the NFL itself was apparently well aware of what happened. The report does portray Goodell as regretting his decision early in the process, but he eventually bowed to pressure from the Ravens to do them a favor.

Again, you REALLY need to watch this report. If you thought highly of the NFL and their credibility before, this should end it. Of course the Jolly Roger's press conference on Friday didn't help things much either.

Here's your video story from ESPN.com:

Wow! Tons of Ravens Fans Show Up to Turn in Ray Rice Jerseys

((ht: foxbaltimore.com))

The Baltimore Ravens made a deal with their fans Friday morning.

Show up at the M&T Stadium gear shop with your Ray Rice jersey and you can exchange it for another one at no cost. With a few rules:

---Only licensed jerseys
---Nike or Reebok only
---Bought at Team Store or on Team Website
---And only one exchange per person.

And a bunch, we mean, lined around the block, showed up at 4am line of fans took them up on the offer. Apparently the team store sold a lot of Rice's jerseys...

Some video of the line from WMAR-TV in Baltimore:

Surprising No One, NFLPA Appeals Rice Suspension

((HT: ESPN))

Double jeopardy doesn't work in any formation of the law- and that inclues the implementation of suspensions in the NFL.

The NFLPA is challenging the indefinite suspension of former Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice on the grounds that he was penalized for the same infraction twice. No matter how repulsive the charge and action, the NFLPA is doing the job that you would expect an association to do to back up one of their employees.

"This action taken by our union is to protect the due process rights of all NFL players," the NFL Players Association said in a statement. "The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the commissioner of the NFL. We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators."

Jeff Saturday discusses:


Rice can apply for reinstatement when he convinces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he is "addressing this issue." Rice is in a diversion program at present and he could get the assault charged expunged if he completes it successfully.

But here's how the HQ sees this playing out...

The NFLPA will challenge, and will win their case. But no one will hire Ray Rice as an employee in the NFL (or any other league for that matter). This black-balling will cause Rice to sue the NFL for wrongful termination and the league and the player will be in court in an ugly case with a high-profile attorney defending his right to work.

This is FAR from over...

ESPN: Rice Told Goodell He Hit Fiancee In June

((HT: ESPN))

Which would immediately contradict the interview he gave Norah O'Donnell Tuesday night for CBS.

Which would NOT be good...

Here's Don Van Natta with John Anderson


Former FBI chief Robert Mueller is now leading an independent inquiry of how the Rice situation has been handled to date overseen by New York Giants owner John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney.

No word on a timetable for the investigation to be completed, but it does appear that Ray Rice is going to appeal his suspension early next week. The HQ figures that Rice's legal team will argue that the suspension is a direct violation of the NFL by-laws that state the Commissioner can not suspend someone for the same violation twice.

Meanwhile, CBS Sports James Brown got to ask Ravens owner Steve Biscioti about the surveillance tape as well...

Your Daily Keith Olbermann Rant On Roger Goodell

((HT: ESPN))

And it's worth your time on how the NFL Commissioner should now just give up on the idea of resigning and should just be fired


Two in a row...

Wanna go for three...???

Oh Boy!: AP Reports Law Enforcement Documents Sending Rice Tape to NFL

((ht: associatedpress.org))

Oh geez!

The Associated Press reported late Wednesday afternoon that a law enforcement official claims he sent a video of the Ray Rice incident with his wife in the New Jersey Casino elevator back in April.

The source played a voicemail from an NFL office phone number confirming they got the video, thanking law enforcement and stating "You're right, it's terrible".

The same source did tell the AP they "technically" weren't authorized to share the video and couldn't confirm if anyone else had actually seen it.

The source, who isn't named in the story, said he sent a DVD copy of the video and included his contact info. (Which wouldn't make him much of a secret to the NFL, ya think?)

Goodell has repeatedly denied he or anyone else in his office were aware of the video.

We thinks someone or several someone's got some splainin' to do...(starting with you Jolly Roger)

Roger Goodell: Calls For His Head Increasing Fast (UPDATED)

((Ed Note--This was written before the breaking news late Wednesday that Law Enforcement officials tell the Associated Press they sent the NFL a copy of the video in question back in April. Source is not yet apparent, but this does not look good))

So, we can now add the National Organization for Women to the list of outside the NFL groups and writers calling for the resignation of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the wake of the Ray Rice scandal.

And they make a fairly good argument quite honestly.

The group (NOW) issued a press release on their website stalking about the issues currently facing the league.

---The arrest of 49ers DT Ray McDonald who is playing while facing domestic violence charges.
---Greg Hardy of the Panthers, who is playing after being convicted of choking his ex-girlfriend and threatening to kill her
--The latest circus surrounding Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who is being accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

NOW says "The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign, and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community and to recommend real and lasting reforms."

Read the entire release from NOW RIGHT HERE

Multiple Sports columnists in TV, Newspaper and on the web have been highly critical of the commissioner who essentially has pled innocence to knowing about the TMZ/Casino elevator tape showing Ray Race sucker punching his now wife Janay.

We won't get to the tape anymore, because the story is now what did the NFL know? And did they just pretend this issue would go away?

For their part, the NFL Owners have come out and said Goodell is safe. But how will they react the next time a big issue comes up?

Everyone brings up the line Goodell used on the New Orleans Saints last year "Ignorance of what's going on within your organization is no excuse". How does he stand now issuing the same line?

Not well. In the grand scheme of things, yeah, sure, most people are appalled about what happened with the Rice incident and they should be. And you can argue there's a segment of the population that is tired of Athletes, mostly pros, getting preferential treatment when they do something stupid. Which happens in the NFL, a lot.

But to make the argument there's an overwhelming public outcry is probably an overstatement. The guy giving up 6-months of pay for seasons tickets doesn't care as long as his team wins. And as long as the TV ratings continue skyrocketing while the revenue pot grows every year, the league won't be in a hurry to do something drastic.

That being said, to a lot of people who do pay attention to such things, they (The NFL) are running out of "Get out of Jail Free" cards. Right, wrong or otherwise, the perception is they have a crime problem and now are willing to overlook things.

At some point, maybe not today, but soon...it's going to catch up to them.

((NOTE--The Ravens, albeit a little late, admitted on Tuesday that they made a big mistake not pursuing the video harder than they did and taking Rice at his word. Again, it's late, but at least the team and owner Steve Bisciotti are willing to fess up to it. Still waiting on you NFL...))

In case you missed it, here again is the Jolly Roger defending himself by pleading ignorance on the CBS Morning show...who in a fortuitous bit of timing, just happen to start broadcasting Thursday night NFL games this week, with the now Rice-less Ravens playing.

Another Example Of Keith Olbermann At His Best

((HT: ESPN))

When Keith Olbermann is allowed to blend his thoughts together long-form, it is a shining example as what opinion can give us...

Today can be added to the file in his opinions on the Ray Rice release and suspension


Told you...

DEVELOPING: Ray Rice Waived And Suspended After Video Release (UPDATED W/Fan Reax)

((HT: TMZ Sports))

Yeah, okay, it was as bad as we all thought...

After the Sunday Night football game, TMZ Sports released the Ray Rice video and it's pretty graphic...

Ray Rice -- ELEVATOR KNOCKOUT ... Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch [Video]
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The NFL league office claimed that they had not seen the elevator video where Rice had allegedly assaulted his then fiancee, but then it was released. The league wasted no time in suspending him indefinitely after the Ravens waived him.

Simply put by the Ravens on their Twitter:

The Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.

The Shield followed up with, on their Twitter through spokesman Greg Aiello:

Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has
indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.

A lot of different media sources are calling "shenanigans" that the league didn't know this was what was on the tape. But Jay Glazer had maintained from the beginning that this was the case and, thus, the two-game punishment.

Now, the Ravens will have to retool their offense for an entire season and, possibly, hit the market looking for a tailback that can get quality yards...

CBS Baltimore's Mike Hellgren has fan reaction from the town

Developing: NFL Radically Changes Domestic Violence Suspension Policy

Well, they may be a bit slow, but it appears the NFL was listening to the public confusion over the way the handled the Ray Rice domestic violence incident.

In a surprise announcement Thursday afternoon, the league said from this day forward, the penalty for any player, coach, owner or member of an NFL Organization convicted of domestic violence charges would be 6 games for the 1st offense, a lifetime ban for a second.

(It should be noted, per ESPN's Jane McManus-- there is a clause allowing a player to be reinstated, though that verbiage has yet to made specific)

The move comes after the league took a tremendous P.R hit for the way they handled the charges against Baltimore Ravens Running Back Ray Rice.

Rice was caught on video dragging his unconscious fiancee' (now wife) out of an elevator after knocking her out with a punch.

Rice received a 2-game suspension.

It appears the contrite Jolly Roger (NFL Prez Goodell) apologized for the way it was handled telling the leagues owners "I didn't get it right"

From Domestic Violence advocacy groups to U.S Senators and the public at large, the NFL found itself on the wrong side of the fence here. Particularly after doling out lengthier suspensions for performance enhancing drugs and other various minor offenses.

You can read Goodell's letter to league owners on ESPN reporter Adam Schefter's Facebook page.

Follow the link HERE

Yeah...

We, along with most of you await the first test of this new policy. But we acknowledge the NFL fessing up to the mistake and being proactive in trying to do something about the issue.

Ray Rice Had A Presser: Believe At Your Own Peril, Deford Goes After Goodell's Handling Of It

((HT: CSNBaltimore.com))

Here's his sound bite on how he will be an advocate on domestic violence issues with his wife, Janay...


If this had come sooner, and not in the pee-ahr dumpster fire that is the Baltimore Ravens, there might be a little more credibility here. But the HQ is not really holding its breath on this one...

The greatest hits:

He apologized to his wife

He claimed that he did not have a domestic violence issue before February

He would not go into detail as to what actually went down in the elevator in the moments before the security camera video picks up the two of them pouring out of the elevator

He apologized to any woman who has faced a violent situation

He would not have appealed the suspension- no matter how long it was

But Frank Deford of NPR's "Morning Edition" brought up an interesting tack on the future of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell- basically asking for his head- in his Wednesday commentary.

In part:

Goodell's sideswipe of a punishment to Ray Rice indicates, if nothing else, a cultural ignorance on his part. Remember, this is the businessman who is widely compared to a tobacco executive for so long procrastinating, denying the effects of obvious occupational concussions, a promoter who hanged a good health of his fungible players, even now wants more Thursday games and a longer regular-season schedule. But the NFL is the biggest boon this side of the Internet, so Goodell is cocooned by his ever-richer owners and a phalanx of admiring football reporters. The networks, his breathless partners, are simply bootlickers. The exalted NFL so needs a rector, a magistrate who comes to the game, not from within it. It needs a leader of grace and vision. More and more, Roger Goodell just looks like a slick, selling us 76 trombones.

Listen to it all here

John Harbaugh Stands Behind Ray Rice

((HT: CSN Washington))

Here's the sound bite in full where the Ravens head coach says he stands behind his running back in light of the two game suspension the NFL gave Ray Rice after his violation of the league conduct policy.


Rice and his then-fiancee/now wife, Janay, were involved in a physical altercation February 15th at an Atlantic City casino. Rice was shown on surveillance tape from inside the casino physically assaulting Janay and dragging her out of an elevator by her hair.

Rice was charged with aggravated felony assault, but avoided jail time by doing a pre-trial diversion program.
They both met NFL commissioner Roger Goodell four months later at the league office in New York City.

Good to know that you can either smoke something or take something illegal and get a longer suspension than smacking your significant other around and having it seen on video tape.

Fantastic standards to work by...

Ray Rice... It's Up To You...

((HT: WBAL-TV/TMZ Sports))

As Peter King put it on his Twitter feed:

In other news, Ray Rice had better have one heck of an explanation for Atlantic City.

Eloquence in simplicity there...

Here's what the folks over at TMZ Sports have from Rice and his fiancee's incident in Atlantic City...

Ray Rice -- Dragging Unconscious Fiancee ... After Alleged Mutual Attack
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The bottom line...

Rice and his fiancee, Janay Palmer, were in the Revel Casino in Atlantic City and were involved in some kind of physical "altercation" around 3AM Saturday. Rice, allegedly, struck Palmer at one point rendering her unconscious. Rice and Palmer were charged with simple assault-domestic violence and were both released on a summons to appear in court.

The above video released by TMZ is the end of the incident...

This from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office:

"The domestic violence incident in Atlantic City involving Ray Rice has been referred to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The Atlantic City Police Department has requested the Prosecutor’s Office review the case to ensure all appropriate charges are considered. The matter remains under investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Atlantic City Police Department. At the present time, Mr. Rice remains charged with simple assault, a disorderly person's offense."

The Ravens and Ozzie Newsome are letting the legal system do their thing.

Here's the complaint, thanks to ABC2 in Baltimore...

Ray Rice Complaint

Tucker Sends Lions Into Playoff Mix Backwards

((HT: ESPN))

Justin Tucker seemed to be the only offense the Baltimore Ravens needed Monday with 6 field goals as they knocked off the Detroit Lions 18-16 in the Monday game of the week...

Here's the highlights of the Ravens winning ugly and not caring...


Harbaugh chose to let Tucker try the longest kick of his career -- by 5 yards -- instead of going for it on a 4th down and 8 from the Detroit 43.

"If they send me out there, they have reason to," Tucker said. "It's because they think I can make the kick."
Tucker told Harbaugh he was good from that distance after hitting from 53 earlier in the evening...and earlier in the quarter...

Detroit, now 7-7, has lost four of five, and are now third in the NFC North behind the Bears and Green Bay.

Tomlin Fined $100K For Stepping Out

This was, somewhat, inevitable...

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was fined $100,000 for interfering in the field of play during the Jacoby Jones punt return incident against the Baltimore Ravens. The NFL is also considering a "modification or forfeiture" of draft choices.

Here's the video...
((HT: KDKA-TV))


“My descriptions of my actions on that play are a lot of things – embarrassing, inexcusable, illegal, a blunder would be a myriad of things I use to describe it.

I take full responsibility for my actions on that play,” said Tomlin. “I acknowledge that my actions unfortunately became part of the play. I also embrace that as head coach, we’re held to the highest standards of conduct and I realize that that blunder fell woefully short of that expectation; and in that vein, I embrace the responsibilities that come with my position and understand there are repercussions from a blunder of that nature, and I embrace it."

But the NFL looked at the incident and wasn't all that punitive about it...

Mike Tomlin makes $5.75-million per year. Average that out: it's about $115,000 per week.

Do the math... Tomlin misses almost an entire week's pay...

Think about what they did to Sean Payton... this isn't even close...

ICYMI: Ravens Receiver Injured by Stripper

Jacoby Jones

((ht: tmz.com))

Some things you just can't make up.

We don't know if the Baltimore Ravens will list this on the upcoming weeks injury report, but it would be funny to see how they'd phrase it.

Wide Receiver Jacoby Jones, out with a knee injury since the 1st week of the season, appears to have a new injury.

According to TMZ.com and others, Jones was injured early Monday morning after being hit in the head with a bottle of champagne....by a stripper named Sweet Pea. The incident apparently happened on a Party Bus in Washington D.C, rented out for a birthday celebration for Ravens offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie.

Yes, really. This happened.

Read the TMZ story RIGHT HERE  

Reportedly the injuries are not serious, but that isn't necessarily the point of the story.

Needless to say, the Ravens haven't commented on the incident and nobody knows exactly how this will affect Jones's playing status.  

But we are quite sure the jokes will be flying...as well they should.

Manning Throws For 7 Against Baltimore, Trevathan Almost Made It 8 Scores

Who thought that Peyton Manning would roll seven touchdowns against Baltimore for the season opener...???

Manning equalled a feat that hadn't been done in 44 years in the 49-27 win. Manning connected with Wes Welker, Julius Thomas, and Demaryius Thomas for two TDs each in piling up the most points scored on the Ravens in their 18-year history.

Manning was 27 of 42 for 462 yards with the seven TDs and no interceptions. He finished with a quarterback rating of 141.1.

Thomas led Denver receivers with 161 yards. Julius Thomas was the first Denver tight end to go over 100 yards receiving in a game since 2009- with an even 100.

Oh, by the way... Knowshon Moreno was the leading rusher with 28 yards on nine carries.

Joe Flacco was 34 of 62 passing for the Ravens for 362 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions. One of those interceptions led to the only Broncos fail on the evening...

Danny Trevathan celebrated a little too early- fortunately it didn't cost the team since they were up 25 at the time...
((HT: NFL on NBC))

Where Exactly Is "BallSoHard University?"

((HT: SBNation/NFL on NBC))

The HQ admits that we listen to the NBC introductions because we enjoy it when pro football players give shout outs to their high schools... yeah, okay we're partial...

But, now, much like Darryl Dawkins being from Lovetron, Terrell Suggs is now known by a new name and his alma mater changed from some place in Tempe to wherever this place is...