Payton appeal unlikely to work
Sean Payton has filed his appeal with the NFL. That's the news. This is the reality. The chances of Payton's suspension being reduced or overturned are about the same as him winning the Mega Millions lottery.
That's because Payton is appealing to the man who suspended him in the first place, commissioner Roger Goodell. Does anyone think Goodell is really going to completely reverse himself?
Goodell to himself: "Roger, I have Payton's appeal in front of me."
Goodell to himself: "I see that."
Goodell to himself: "Nothing new here."
Goodell to himself: "Agreed. Appeal rejected." (Bangs gavel down in his office.)
Assistant Joe Vitt has also appealed as has general manager Mickey Loomis. So have the Saints. Their appeal success will have as much chance as Payton's.
The only person who has yet to indicate if he will file an appeal is Gregg Williams. Several sources say they are unsure of what Williams will do but would not be shocked if Williams didn't file an appeal.
Payton, I'm told, is hoping to use the suspension to get clarity on the rules governing what is and isn't allowed regarding contact between Payton and the Saints. Payton is not allowed to coach the team but Payton wants to know exactly what he can do.
But Payton is actually using the suspension for another purpose. It's a delay tactic, the old four corners.
If Payton really wanted clarity about his future involvement with the Saints during his suspension, Payton could simply pick up the phone, or have his lawyer pick it up, and call Goodell.
Goodell would then take a day or so to outline the contact rules and that would be that. So the suspension isn't truly about clarity, it's more about delaying the inevitable.
The problem for Payton is that it's likely the appeal won't give him as much time as he hopes. Goodell is expected to only take a few days to decide on the appeal maybe as early as middle of next week.
I'm also told this. When word was circulating this week that Payton might appeal there were several people close to the situation who said privately they believed Goodell would take a Payton appeal as a sign the Saints coach didn't take his punishment seriously. Goodell, one source said, would likely be slightly irritated.
The bottom line remains that chances Goodell reduces the suspension or reverses himself are slim. Not impossible but extremely slim.
That's because Payton is appealing to the man who suspended him in the first place, commissioner Roger Goodell. Does anyone think Goodell is really going to completely reverse himself?
Goodell to himself: "Roger, I have Payton's appeal in front of me."
Goodell to himself: "I see that."
Goodell to himself: "Nothing new here."
Goodell to himself: "Agreed. Appeal rejected." (Bangs gavel down in his office.)
Assistant Joe Vitt has also appealed as has general manager Mickey Loomis. So have the Saints. Their appeal success will have as much chance as Payton's.
The only person who has yet to indicate if he will file an appeal is Gregg Williams. Several sources say they are unsure of what Williams will do but would not be shocked if Williams didn't file an appeal.
Payton, I'm told, is hoping to use the suspension to get clarity on the rules governing what is and isn't allowed regarding contact between Payton and the Saints. Payton is not allowed to coach the team but Payton wants to know exactly what he can do.
But Payton is actually using the suspension for another purpose. It's a delay tactic, the old four corners.
If Payton really wanted clarity about his future involvement with the Saints during his suspension, Payton could simply pick up the phone, or have his lawyer pick it up, and call Goodell.
Goodell would then take a day or so to outline the contact rules and that would be that. So the suspension isn't truly about clarity, it's more about delaying the inevitable.
The problem for Payton is that it's likely the appeal won't give him as much time as he hopes. Goodell is expected to only take a few days to decide on the appeal maybe as early as middle of next week.
I'm also told this. When word was circulating this week that Payton might appeal there were several people close to the situation who said privately they believed Goodell would take a Payton appeal as a sign the Saints coach didn't take his punishment seriously. Goodell, one source said, would likely be slightly irritated.
The bottom line remains that chances Goodell reduces the suspension or reverses himself are slim. Not impossible but extremely slim.
