re: NFL presented Vilma w/sworn affidavit of GW stating Vilma offered 10k for Favre

quote:

---

I'm pretty sure Williams just effectively lengthened his own suspension

---

This would be hilarious. "Sign this and you'll get reinstated." Later, "Due to this indisputible evidence Williams can never return to the NFL."

I just read the whole affidavit. No mention of Sean Payton or Mickey Loomis. I think that's pretty telling as to when this thing was written. If NFL wants us to believe an affidavit admitting the Saints' guilt was written back in March, then why was Sean Payton's name not in it anywhere. Seems to me Goodell would want evidence of Payton breaking the rules. If this affidavit was for the SOLE purpose to punish Vilma, then Payton doesn't need to be in this particular affidavit. Leads me, among other obvious reasons, to believe that Goodell asked Williams to write a specific affidavit admitting things JUST to get at Vilma, and not one to admit all the Saints' crimes.

quote:

---

Well, I guess this is how Williams will get reinstated after only a one year suspension.

---

He's a POS

Let's see...the affidavit was signed on FRIDAY and today is MONDAY. Not sure about exact dates but from the time the suspensions were voided until GW signed that affidavit was about 10 days. Just enough time to have your people contact his people and get it all arranged. This investigation is getting more sketchy at every turn.

I bet after the season, goodell will have a press conference to announce GW is eligible to return and praise the shite out of GW, saying how cooperative he was while moments later chastising Payton and Vilma for some "blatant disregard....yadayadayada"

If all this implodes on goodell and he is revealed to be corrupt and altered or influenced evidence and testimony, I'll be as happy as I was when the saints won the superbowl.

quote:

---

admit perjury?

---

Under duress?

quote:

---

@ProFootballTalk
Most amazing aspect of Gregg Williams affidavit -- he signed it on Friday, September 14, 2012

---

Actually it's not uncommon for witnesses to give affidavits in cases where they have previously provided testimony in other forms. Usually one side will do it in response to some motion being brought by the other side, typically close to a trial date. It's often done to clarify or reinforce a position or testimony already given and I'm sure that's what the NFL will claim is being done here.

The problem here is that, at least in litigation, the parties get to depose and cross examine witnesses to check and challenge the veracity of their testimony. Vilma and the others have been afforded no such chance and this has been trial by ambush. This would never fly in a real court, only in Goodell's kangaroo court.

I don't know what happened; I wasn't there and probably never will know. But that's the problem-Goodell wasn't there either. At best all he knows is what he's been told, which is 180 degrees the opposite of what others have said. It's a classic "he said, she said" and either side can argue that the other sides witnesses have vested reasons for saying what they've said.

At worst, Goodell's working his own agenda, a very real possibility. He's not just some judge sitting on an ivory tower; he's also a defendant in a very serious defamation suit. GW's affidavit serves Goodell just as conveniently as it does GW. It doesn't take much cynicism to see the mutual advantage to both GW and Goodell with this affidavit. Maybe Goodell was acting in good faith, maybe not. That's why the ability to cross examine is so central to any notion of true fairness and justice and why it's so important here.

But I don't think it will happen unless Berrigan steps in. As for me, I lost all respect for the NFL months ago. Ginsberg's a good lawyer so we'll see what happens. Right now, I just want to win a game. If Goodell gets sacked at some point in the process, well that'll work too.

Goodell blackmailed GW to sign it?

quote:

---

"I now understand it's possible that [the pool] could encourage players to injure other players...& should not be part of the game"

---

Wow if that's not GW placating goodell, I don't know what is.

Goodell reading the first draft: "I strongly urge you to add the word 'injure' in there somewhere"

This may have been the NFL's fricked up version of a plea deal.

I wouldn't put it past Gregg Williams to sell Vilma out to save his arse.

Hell, I wouldn't put it past almost anyone to sell out to save their own arse.

I read the affidavit quickly but didn't catch any mention of Hargrove and Fujita. I have NO idea why Fujita was suspended. His case seems the strongest of the 4.