Big Ben to have Little Ben.

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:

• A Second Arbitrator rules in Goodell’s favor for bounty punishments
• Broncos LB DJ Williams tweets part of playbook
• Ochocinco cut from Pats
• Big Ben and wife expecting a Little Ben

In this week’s edition of the reality show that has become the NFL offseason, Goodell gets more confirmation that he alone holds ultimate power over the players as a second arbitrator ruled in his favor in a grievance filed by the NFLPA.  The players association tried to argue that Goodell was prohibited from punishing players for any conduct before the CBA was signed and that the player appeals should be heard by Art Shell and Ted Cottrell instead of Goodell.  But like the judgment before this one, the arbitrator ruled that Goodell is entitled to hand out the punishment alone and handle the appeal alone.  The NFLPA states it will appeal the decisions but that seems rather futile at this point.   The four players Goodell suspended in relation to the bounty program in New Orleans will have their appeals heard by Goodell on June 18^th.  I would say there’s a greater chance that the city of Cleveland becomes the next powerhouse in all of professional sports than these players get any of their suspensions reduced or overturned. (more…)