Paul Tagliabue: Appeals Process Will Lead to More of a Bountygate Mess

Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue is meant to take over the appeals process in the Bountygate for Roger Goodell. But the players whose character and reputation are being called into question may dismiss Tagliabue's authority.

As if the New Orleans Saints' scandal needs to be dragged out even more thoroughly, the latest move by Goodell to attempt to put this situation to bed will only worsen matters.

As a recent report from ESPN's news services indicates, the NFLPA may challenge the appointment of Tagliabue as the appeals officer.

Players are attempting to appeal their cases on the grounds that little to no evidence has been presented against them. They also believe that Goodell has an inherent bias against the players, making his judgment as the arbitrator unjust.

As the ESPN report indicates, the players want an independent outsider to hear their cases. That would be much more logical than all the actions the current commissioner has taken.

This appointment of Tagliabue by Goodell makes absolutely no sense and may be the worst move yet in this seemingly endless saga.

It directly violates the expectations of players expecting a fair judgment in the U.S. District Court. The law firm that is representing the league in the district court cases of Jonathan Vilma, Anthony Hargrove, Will Smith and Scott Fujita employs Tagliabue.

The players are right in asserting that this is an obvious conflict of interest; it almost goes without saying.

Goodell may be trying to help the situation by deflecting some of the responsibility away from himself. But making the evidence against the players available to the public would make matters much easier. It would also garner a newfound respect for the commissioner who has been anything but consistent and transparent while keeping many of the Bountygate details in the dark.

The fact that the players are now considering appealing Tagliabue's appointment as the Saints players' appeals officer opens up a whole new can of worms.

NFL players should never feel their rights of basic due process are violated by some heavy-handed figure of power.

Now, this has unnecessarily become a case of quasi-constitutional litigation. It must be put to a halt as soon as possible.