I was coming here to post this exact same thing.

Initially, I understood why Payton was being silent. I think he thought it would be best for the team if he basically fell on the sword for the team so that everyone could move past this.

But immediately after the players suspensions came down, and it was clear that this was not going to go away, that it would play out in a courtroom, and in the media, Payton should have jumped on the appeals process as well. If he had, I have no doubt he'd be our coach at some point this season.

While he wouldn't have the support of the NFLPA, Vilma has basically taken this on by himself anyway, not just in appealing the ruling, but in going after Goodell civilly for personal damages. Payton should be doing the same thing. And unless I'm mistaken, he wouldn't even have the players' biggest weakness in his case, the CBA where the players agreed to abide by any discipline imposed by the commissioner. Am I wrong there?

I understand that as the coach, he bears the responsibility for the incentive pool established by his DC, and for continuing to run it after being warned to stop. But Payton is suffering from the same BS line that Goodell has been hammering non-stop that this was a "pay for injury" program. Goodell would have the same liability for defamation towards Payton as he certainly does for Vilma IMO.

A lawsuit by Payton could get us our coach back for some part of the regular season, and more importantly, the postseason.

As happy as I'll be for Vilma if he gets to earn some money in what is likely one of his last few years as a football player, even though Lofton is our guy at MLB now, and as nice as it would be to have Smith for the Green Bay game, and possibly even the Carolina game, getting Payton back is the only thing that will have a substantial impact on our season IMO.

So, unless Payton already has a deal with Goodell that the suspension will be lifted at some point in the season so long as he keeps quiet, I think it is time, Coach Payton, for you to.......