(Welcome all! With the NFL becoming more of a passing league, the “Cover 9@9” blog will become all of the rage. You can read it here every Wednesday at 9 a.m. throughout the season. We’ll try to get to everything about the Atlanta Falcons from the Hometown Huddle to how the Panthers knew when the Falcons bubble screen was coming. -– D. Orlando Ledbetter)
1. THE GODFATHER SPEAKS: Gil Brandt, the honorary Godfather of NFL, was talking about the future of the Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith on the Late Hits show on SiriusXM NFL Radio with partner Alex Marvez recently.
Brandt and Marvez believe that Falcons owner Arthur Blank might want to show some patience. They both seem to pin the Falcons issues on the defense and would like to see general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith retained after this season.
Here’s what they had to say:
BRANDT ON THE PASS RUSH: "As you look at it, everybody wants a pass rusher. They realize that if you've got some pressure, usually your pass defense is going to be a little bit better. . . I think that the people that run or that are involved in the running of the Atlanta Falcons are as good as anybody in the league. It just goes to show how quickly we forget 13-3 seasons."
MARVEZ ON BEING PATIENT: "That's the thing, is ownership going to be patient? Is Arthur Blank going to show patience and say, 'you know what, this is the same head coach and general manager who took us to these heights. Who gave us five consecutive winning seasons. Are they going to be allowed to try and right this ship? You can see how patience can pay (off) with the New York Giants. How patience can pay with the Dallas Cowboys. How patience can pay with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I'm pulling for these guys. I hope they get another shot. They've proven that they can win."
MARVEZ ON CHANGES: "There are going to have to be some changes. May be some defensive staff changes. Maybe a different approach to defense. They've got to find that pass rusher. They are withering on the vine without one although they did turn up the heat in the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay."
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
MARVEZ ON RA'SHEDE HAGEMAN: "One thing about (Ra'Shede) Hageman, too and I'm a little surprised at this, I think they need to start getting him some snaps on defense. I think at this point, I know that you're fighting for jobs and its (4-6), but you know what, get this young man on the field. Get him ready to play for 2015. He's going to have to go through some growing pains no matter what. I'd rather have him take his lumps now as long as he's not costing your team."
BRANDT ON THE OFFENSE: "They have a quarterback that's pretty good. They have some wide receivers that are pretty good. I think that one of the things that has happened to them on offense is that they don't really have a tight end. I think you have to get better there.
“The guy that’s really playing good for them is the guard from Texas, I can’t think of his name righ now (Justin Blalock). . . .He is really, really playing good for them.”
BRAND ON THE DEFENSE: "They've given up over 400 yards a game on defense and yet they are (plus-4) in turnover (differential), which is good."
BRANDT ON RYAN: "The quarterback has twice as many touchdown passes as interceptions which I think is a good sign."
BRANDT ON STEVEN JACKSON: "I think Steven Jackson, who they went out and got, is probably a year past his prime and isn't playing quite as well as you need him to play."
2. ADRIAN PETERSON'S SUSPENSION: Here's what the league had to say about his case:
Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was notified today that he has been suspended without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 NFL season, and will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15, for violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy in an incident of abusive discipline that he inflicted on his four-year-old son last May. Peterson pled no contest on November 4 in state court in Montgomery County, Texas to reckless assault of the child.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
In a letter to Peterson, Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “The timing of your potential reinstatement will be based on the results of the counseling and treatment program set forth in this decision. Under this two-step approach, the precise length of the suspension will depend on your actions. We are prepared to put in place a program that can help you to succeed, but no program can succeed without your genuine and continuing engagement. You must commit yourself to your counseling and rehabilitative effort, properly care for your children, and have no further violations of law or league policy.”
Under Article 46 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Peterson may appeal the decision by giving written notice to the commissioner within three business days. If he appeals, a hearing will be scheduled promptly, at which he may be represented by counsel of his choice and by the NFLPA and at which he will have the opportunity to present evidence in support of his appeal. If he appeals, Peterson will remain on the Exempt List and continue to be paid pending a decision.
In modifying the NFL Personal Conduct Policy August 28, Commissioner Goodell established a baseline discipline of a suspension without pay for six games for certain offenses, including a first offense of assault, battery, or domestic violence. He also identified aggravating circumstances that would warrant higher levels of discipline. In his letter, Commissioner Goodell identified several aggravating circumstances present in this case:
“First, the injury was inflicted on a child who was only four years old. The difference in size and strength between you and the child is significant, and your actions clearly caused physical injury to the child. While an adult may have a number of options when confronted with abuse – to flee, to fight back, or to seek help from law enforcement – none of those options is realistically available to a four-year old child. Further, the injury inflicted on your son includes the emotional and psychological trauma to a young child who suffers criminal physical abuse at the hands of his father.
“Second, the repetitive use of a switch in this instance is the functional equivalent of a weapon, particularly in the hands of someone with the strength of an accomplished professional athlete.
“Third, you have shown no meaningful remorse for your conduct. When indicted, you acknowledged what you did but said that you would not ‘eliminate whooping my kids’ and defended your conduct in numerous published text messages to the child’s mother. You also said that you felt ‘very confident with my actions because I know my intent.’ These comments raise the serious concern that you do not fully appreciate the seriousness of your conduct, or even worse, that you may feel free to engage in similar conduct in the future.”
On November 6, the NFL requested that Peterson and the NFL Players Association furnish a range of information that would be relevant to evaluating Peterson’s conduct under the Personal Conduct Policy. No information was provided beyond some of the court papers relating to his November 4 plea agreement. This request was reiterated on November 11. Although there were several additional exchanges of correspondence between the NFL and NFLPA, no further information was provided, other than the name of a professional with whom Peterson has consulted during the past two months.
Peterson was advised on November 11 that a hearing had been scheduled for November 14 to review his case and to allow him or his representatives, as well as the NFLPA, to offer their views and present information on the question of discipline under the Personal Conduct Policy. The NFL then was advised that neither Peterson nor the NFLPA would participate in the hearing scheduled for November 14. The NFL offered to hold the hearing the following day, but was told that date was similarly unacceptable.
Under the Personal Conduct Policy, a deferred adjudication of the kind entered in Montgomery County establishes a basis for imposing discipline. In addition, many prior decisions confirm that the judgment entered with Peterson’s consent is entirely sufficient to find that he violated the Personal Conduct Policy.
“Your plea agreement in Texas, and the related violation of the Personal Conduct Policy, arise out of abusive injuries that you inflicted on your son earlier this year,” Commissioner Goodell said in his letter. “Based on public reports of your statements and photographs that were made public at the time of the indictment, you used a ‘switch’ – a flexible tree branch – to punish your son, striking him in the ankles, limbs, back, buttocks, and genitals, leaving visible swelling, marks, and cuts on his body and risking severe and long-term damage. The visible injuries were such that a local pediatrician in Minnesota, upon examining your son, felt obligated to make a child abuse report to the police. According to contemporaneous media reports, police and medical examiners termed the cuts as ‘extensive’ and as ‘clinically diagnostic of child physical abuse.’ Based on the severity of those injuries, a grand jury made up of citizens of Montgomery County, Texas, voted to indict you on a felony charge, reflecting their belief that there was reasonable cause to conclude that you had overstepped the bounds of acceptable corporal punishment and engaged in physical abuse of your child. Moreover, it appears that this is not the first time that you have punished children in this way. Public statements attributed to you indicate that you believe that this kind of discipline is appropriate and that you do not intend to stop disciplining your children this way.”
Commissioner Goodell’s decision includes mechanisms to ensure, insofar as possible, that there will be no repetition of this conduct. Peterson was directed to meet with Dr. April Kuchuk, an instructor in the NYU Department of Psychiatry and a forensic consultant to the New York City District Attorney’s offices and New York courts, by December 1. After this meeting, Dr. Kuchuk will design a program of counseling, therapy, and community service as appropriate, which will be shared with the commissioner and NFLPA. Peterson will be expected to adhere to that program. Dr. Kuchuk will report any failure to do so to the commissioner and NFLPA.
On Sunday, Peterson made Dr. Cynthia Winston, a professor of psychology at Howard University, available to meet with Dr. Kuchuk to discuss the case. Dr. Winston advised that she was contacted by an attorney representing Peterson to conduct an assessment and that she has met with him in connection with this matter. Dr. Winston, a respected academic and practicing psychologist, advised Dr. Kuchuk that she does not have a background in child abuse or in assessing or treating victims or perpetrators of child abuse.
Dr. Kuchuk has informed the NFL she believes it is essential for her to meet with Peterson personally to review his counseling and other therapeutic work to date. Dr. Kuchuk states that two evidence-based forms of therapy have been shown to contribute to reducing the risk of future abusive behavior in child abuse cases: first, therapy that addresses parenting your children, in particular those who do not live with you, using a modality called parent-child interactive therapy; and second, cognitive-behavioral therapy that teaches the effects of abusive behavior on children and how it traumatizes them. Dr. Kuchuk’s understanding is that Dr. Winston does not provide these types of cognitive and behavioral therapies.
Commissioner Goodell encouraged Peterson to take advantage of the counseling and other resources available to his son through NFL Player Assistance and Counseling Services.
“The well-being of your children is of paramount concern,” Commissioner Goodell wrote. “In the absence of speaking to you to understand your current disposition toward child discipline, we cannot be sure that this conduct will not be repeated. Moreover, we are unaware of any effort on your part to acknowledge the seriousness of your conduct and your responsibility to demonstrate a genuine commitment to change.
“In order to assess your progress going forward, I will establish periodic reviews, the first of which will be on or about April 15, 2015. At that time, I will meet with you and your representatives and the NFLPA to review the extent to which you have complied with your program of counseling and therapy and both made and lived up to an affirmative commitment to change such that this conduct will not occur again. A failure to cooperate and follow your plan will result in a lengthier suspension without pay.”
Peterson also is required to adhere to all conditions imposed on him by the Montgomery County Court as part of his plea agreement and deferred adjudication. If he fails to adhere to any of those conditions, he is obligated to promptly report that failure to the commissioner, who may elect to impose further discipline.
“It is imperative that you to avoid any incident of this kind in the future,” Commissioner Goodell stated in his letter. “Any further violation of the Personal Conduct Policy will result in additional discipline and may subject you to banishment from the NFL.”
3. HERE'S WHAT THE NFLPA HAD TO SAY: " The decision by the NFL to suspend Adrian Peterson is another example of the credibility gap that exists between the agreements they make and the actions they take. Since Adrian's legal matter was adjudicated, the NFL has ignored their obligations and attempted to impose a new and arbitrary disciplinary proceeding.
GEORGE ATALLAH DISCUSSES ADRIAN PETERSON’S SUSPENSION ON FOX SPORTS 1’S AMERICA’S PREGAM
A ruling handed down earlier Tuesday by the National Football League mandated that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will be suspended for the remainder of the 2014 regular season. On Nov. 4, Peterson pled no contest to a misdemeanor reckless assault charge for an incident involving the punishment of his 4-year old son. After the indictment surfaced in September, the 2012 NFL MVP spent nine weeks on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, a paid leave that kept him away from the team while his legal proceedings played out. The NFL Players Association issued a statement earlier Tuesday, in conjunction with an appeal filed on Peterson’s behalf.
The NFLPA’s Assistant Executive Director of External Affairs George Atallah was available via a phone interview with host Mike Hill on Tuesday’s edition of AMERICA’S PREGAME on FOX Sports 1. His comments are included below:
On the NFL Players Association’s reaction to the NFL suspending Peterson for the rest of the 2014 season:
“We believe that the discipline was completely arbitrary and there was no due process for Adrian. And frankly, as I've said a number of times before, the NFL has continued to make stuff up as they go along. That's not the process that we've agreed to under our Collective Bargaining Agreement; the critics are correct in saying that there are broad powers afforded to the Commissioner in the CBA, but those broad powers do not mean that they can be overstepped under the CBA. It does not mean that they can forego fairness, it doesn't mean that they can forego industrial due process and it certainly doesn't mean that the disciplinary process has to be inconsistent. So those are the three things that I believe have led us to fight for Adrian's rights like we would for any player in the NFL."
On today’s arbitration ruling that Peterson does not need to be moved off the Commissioner’s Exempt List by the NFL:
"You never want a decision in an arbitration to go against you. But I think, materially, it doesn't really mean much. All it means is, we'll continue to pursue all of our legal remedies and unfortunately, it proves that the agreements that we signed with the NFL are not necessarily worth the piece of paper that they're printed on. That's really disappointing to us, we would have hoped that there would be a little more integrity and trust between the union and the league at this point."
On when disputes over player discipline will become a less contentious process:
"When some of the owners in the NFL show leadership, plain and simple. The NFL is not run by the Commissioner's office, it's run by the Management Council and the owners. Once the owners want to commit to a collectively bargained process and show some leadership and show some transparency in terms of what type of a process we want and can have, that's when we'll have a better result for players and that's when our fans will know exactly what is going on."
4. SHOULD FALCONS PURSUE HIM NEXT SEASON?: Peterson is set to make $13 million if he returns to Minnesota next season. He could be cut and become a free agent. He turns 30 in March and has rushed for 10,190 yards.
Given with Gil Brandt said about Jackson (above), would you welcome him to Atlanta if he's address his child beating issues with some therapy and counseling?
5. MORE ON PETERSON: Former quarterback and current analyst Boomer Esiason had some thoughts that he shared on The Inside the NFL Show. "Adrian Peterson is not the victim here. He's not a sympathetic figure as far as I'm concerned, I'm sorry. So, he's going to have to deal with this discipline"
6. KEY MATCHUP No. 1: Browns QB Brian Hoyer vs. Falcons FS Dwight Lowery: Hoyer has taken control of the quarterback position in Cleveland after they drafted Johnny Manziel in the first round. He gets the Browns top receiver back this week in Josh Gordon as the team will try to ramp up its offensive performance down the strength. Lowery will play a role in making sure that Hoyer is not able to throw the deep ball. He'll also spend some time near the line of scrimmage in running situations.
7. KEY MATCHUP No. 2: Browns LB Craig Robertson vs. Falcons RB Steven Jackson: Robertson will be charged with leading an opportunistic unit that is fifth in the league with a plus-8 turnover differential. The Browns have 14 interceptions and have recovered four fumbles. Jackson had 18, 16 and 17 carries in the past three games as the Falcons have become more determined to establish a rushing attack behind their revamped offensive line. But Jackson is averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.
8. KEY MATCHUP No. 3: Browns CB Joe Haden vs. Falcons WR Julio Jones: Haden, the seventh player selected in the 2010 draft, went to his first Pro Bowl last season. He's continued his strong play this season. Jones said he plans to get more physical near the line of scrimmage if the Falcons continue to run him on bubble screens. Last week, the Panthers did a good job of sniffing out the Falcons bread-and-butter play.
9. OFFICIAL DEPTH CHART released by the team for Sunday's game with the Cleveland Browns. (It still lists Robert Alford at No. 1 at cornerback, but he's out for 2 to 4 weeks with a fractured wrist.)
OFFENSE
WR 84 Roddy White, 83 Harry Douglas, 14 Eric Weems
LT 70 Jake Matthews, 68 Gabe Carimi, 65 Cameron Bradfield
LG 63 Justin Blalock, 69 Harland Gunn
C 62 James Stone, 69 Harland Gunn
RG 75 Jon Asamoah, 69 Harland Gunn
RT 73 Ryan Schraeder, 68 Gabe Carimi, 64 Jonathan Scott
TE 80 Levine Toilolo, 86 Bear Pascoe
WR 11 Julio Jones, 17 Devin Hester, 18 Freddie Martino
QB 2 Matt Ryan, 13 TJ Yates, 12 Sean Renfree
RB 39 Steven Jackson, 32 Jacquizz Rodgers, 24 Devonta Freeman
FB 42 Patrick DiMarco
DEFENSE
DE 71 Kroy Biermann, 50 Osi Umenyiora, 90 Stansly Maponga
DT 99 Tyson Jackson, 77 Ra’Shede Hageman, 98 Cliff Matthews
DT 96 Paul Soliai, 91 Corey Peters
DE 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 94 Jonathan Massaquoi, 93 Malliciah Goodman, 54 Tyler Starr
LB 55 Paul Worrilow, 52 Nate Stupar
LB 53 Prince Shembo, 59 Joplo Bartu
CB 23 Robert Alford, 28 Javier Arenas
CB 26 Josh Wilson, 27 Robert McClain, 28 Javier Arenas
S 36 Kemal Ishmael, 30 Charles Godfrey
S 20 Dwight Lowery, 41 Dezmen Southward
CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 28 Javier Arenas
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant
KO 5 Matt Bosher
P 5 Matt Bosher
KR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems
PR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems
LS 47 Josh Harris
H 5 Matt Bosher
FALCONS FAN MAILBAG: We take your questions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
GAME STORY: Falcons hold on for dramatic 19-17 win over the Panther s
NOTEBOOK: Robert McClain pressed into duty after Robert Alford's injury
RODDY WHITE goes over the 10,000 yards receiving mark
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons had to say after the win over the Panthers
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