The NFL is in the process of revising the personal conduct policy per Roger Goodell's New York press conference back in September. The NFL Players Association wants input in crafting the policy in an effort to make it more transparent and to make the process for punishment more consistent. In that vein, the union sent a proposal on commissioner discipline to the league, a copy of which was obtained by CBSSports.com.
The union's proposal breaks out the handling of punishments into various parts and would create a significant change with the way the process is currently handled. (Roger Goodell currently rules on personal conduct matters and hears player appeals himself.)
Violent Crimes
Essentially any felony charge with allegations of both 1) domestic violence, sexual assault or bodily harm to another person and 2) aggravating circumstances (presence or use of a weapon, involving a child or pregnant woman, for example). The initial inquiries into the Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy matters would all fall under this subsection.
However, the union's proposal constricts the commissioner's power in these matters. The NFLPA's proposal calls for no discipline from either the club or the commissioner based on just an arrest or pending charges.
Discipline would be handled once the matter is disposed, although either the player and club OR the NFL and NFLPA can reach an agreement to allow the player to take a paid voluntary leave of absence.
Any games missed by the player on voluntary leave would qualify as time served under the union's proposal.
Adrian Peterson would not be suspended for his actions under proposed NFLPA rules. (Getty Images)
Other Crimes
No punishment would be meted out by the commissioner or the club — including termination of contract — until the matter is disposed of.
Counseling
The Commissioner can ask players to meet with a psychiatrist (picked by the player) to be evaluated clinically after charges or an indictment are filed under the union's proposal. And any player who is convicted of or admits to violating the law in a violent manner can undergo mandatory counseling from a doctor chosen by the NFL and NFLPA. Additional counseling programs are an option if
Investigations
The NFLPA demanded an attorney present during investigation interviews (all interviews, not just player interviews) related to player crimes. Additionally the NFLPA wants to review any independent investigation results before reports are issued.
Neutral Arbitration in Appeals
The NFLPA's proposal calls for a neutral arbitrator — one who can compel testimony from the league, players and clubs — to hear any appeals of player discipline.
NFL Hot News
Rams bench QB Austin Davis; Shaun Hill to start
St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher, pulling a complete 180-degree turn, said Wednesday that quarterback Austin Davis has been benched, and Shaun Hill will get the start when the Rams host the Denver Broncos in Week 11. Davis has been largely ineffective the past four weeks, averaging just 159 passing yards per game. He has five touchdowns and five interceptions in that span.
In Davis's defense, he hasn't exactly faced a cake schedule. In the past five weeks, the Rams have played Seattle, Arizona, Kansas City, and San Francisco twice. Those are all teams with solid defenses. With that said, Davis wasn't getting the job done. The team obviously doesn't see him as its future QB, so there is no harm in trying someone else out. Hill has not seen significant action since 2010, when he was with Detroit. Since then, he has thrown a total of 29 passes in regular-season games.It could be shaky for St. Louis fantasy players. With a committee in the backfield, below-average receivers, and a glorified backup QB taking over under center, I wouldn't advise using any Rams players unless you're in the biggest pinch of your fantasy life.
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