We’ve truly hit the doldrums, finally. I suppose, after this offseason, we should be thankful when nothing happens—except that “nothing” includes not signing Drew Brees.
Brees remains unsigned. Did you know that? If you didn’t, if you’re unaware of the status of contract negotiations, go read Jeff Duncan’s piece at Nola.com. He manages 850 words without a single new fact or insight. Now that’s journalism. Seriously, you guys have no idea how hard that is. (Gotta give them credit, though: the photo illustrating the article is a hoot. If you’re not a Saints fan, I mean.)
The big news right now is the reorganization of the Saints as a business entity—in other words, the Rita bombshell. Maybe it’s a delayed fuse, but I sure missed the explosion. She’s no longer executive vice president. Now she’s vice-chairman of the board. Dennis Lauscha—who always was reputed to be the real engine—is officially team president. In other words, Rita has been removed from field command and installed in a cushy job behind the front.
What does it mean? Hell if I know. Maybe it means Rita won’t get to make any more NFL commercials. What did she do before that she won’t be doing now? Hell if I know.
I doubt we’ll see any difference at all until Benson passes on—and then all hell might break loose. In order to forestall that, I propose marriage between Lauscha and Rita. You say Lauscha’s already married? Oh please. Like that’s an obstacle.
Anyway, here is a complete run-down on the new corporate structure.
One other interesting nugget…well, two, actually: James Varney did interviews on the subject of Jonathan Vilma’s suspension. One with Vilma’s attorney, Peter Ginsburg; and another with Tulane law professor Gabe Feldman. Ginsburg makes it pretty evident that the lawsuit is a manuever to compel the NFL to release its “evidence”; Feldman touches on the difficulty of winning such a suit, and on the strong possibility of the league succeeding in getting the suit dismissed:
“[T]he league may argue these things really should be resolved under the terms of the CBA without messing with state law. That’s just a general legal principle that state law claims are pre-empted by federal labor laws if the claims are intertwined with the CBA itself. The league is saying these legal claims are just another way of saying the commissioner has exceeded his authority and then that is to be determined under the CBA.”
Okay, y’all know I’m not a lawyer, but there’s something here I don’t understand. The right to libel players is not part of the CBA. Vilma is not suing Goodell for exceeding his contractual authority, but for libel and slander. Suppose Vilma was married, and Goodell stole away his wife. Vilma then sues for alienation of affection. Could the league argue that it’s covered by the CBA? I don’t get it.
PhilistineMay 21, 2012 at 12:31 pm
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Varney’s twin articles were basic he said-she said stenographic “journalism.” My reaction after reading them, similar to my reaction to the front-office realignment, was “?????”
I’ll be glad when the day of the Hall Of Shame Game finally arrives.
FriarBobMay 21, 2012 at 1:41 pm
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have at it, and thank … Al Gore for inventing the Internet.
OK I obviously don’t read the fine print often enough… I’m a slowpoke but I finally saw that and just had to congratulate you. Anything to mock that political whore. And it was almost as hilarious as your slam of Duncan. That had me actually laughing out loud for nearly a whole minute. Seriously, 850 words without a single new fact or insight? That’s either talent, desperation, or idiocy. Probably some combination of all three, actually.
HimselfMay 21, 2012 at 3:47 pm
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Sort of an idiot savant? He can only do one thing–waste your time–but he does that supremely well.
I’ve been tempted to put a “Political” link on the chalkboard, so I can say more about Al and his friends…but that would just reduce the number of regulars even further. (Where IS everybody?)
David KellyMay 21, 2012 at 4:23 pm
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Still lurking. Traffic will pick up once the season gets closer. It’s easy for Saints fans to lose interest nowadays. Their team is getting butchered while the guy holding the cleaver and with blood all over his apron just stands there smiling. “You want evidence that this once proud race horse deserved to be slaughtered?” says GODell. “Well tough shit! You ain’t gettin’ it!”
Unless this mess blows up in Goodell’s face and all punished get retribution and lighter sentences, I may have to tune out a little more this season. I’m so disgusted with the NFL right now. The only reason I stay involved today is to see how this bounty saga plays out. I couldn’t have cared less about the draft and I barely know who the Saints picked. I hope Drew gets paid soon with a contract that has him retiring a Saint. But, as for watching games or watching NFLN or ESPN talk about games, I’m not at all enthusiastic about that right now. That’ll probably change in a few months no matter how disgusted I am with Goodell and the owners (including Benson) as it will with many other Saints fans.
FriarBobMay 21, 2012 at 5:26 pm
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Seriously. I so want Vilma to get the evidence released. Because I really do think it WILL blow up in Adolph Goodell’s face. But even if it doesn’t, at least we’d finally have PROOF. This bull crap of “trust us” has left me with a simmering fury to the NFL, such that I can’t really do much more than lurk most of the time… or sometimes just walk away for a few days (or longer). I may not watch any games at all this year. And it’s a very good thing I don’t live in NO, because I’d be one of those throwing rotten eggs (or worse) at Adolph when he comes to town. Hell I’d probably be throwing them even if we were in the super bowl.
HimselfMay 21, 2012 at 7:51 pm
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Adolf.
FriarBobMay 21, 2012 at 11:01 pm
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Naw, I’m just going for a reference, not saying he actually IS the original bastard. :)
AcquiredPanicMay 21, 2012 at 7:46 pm
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I stop by everyday but I’ve been being lazy I suppose. Haven’t even logged on to CsC in a week. Seems like most of the people I know haven’t been commenting much either. Why hasn’t plague made his way over here I wonder?
AcquiredPanicMay 21, 2012 at 7:49 pm
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I invited Kat over btw and I promise we will keep it clean…..every bar needs a pretty lady :)
HimselfMay 21, 2012 at 7:53 pm
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I’ll put in a pole.
David KellyMay 21, 2012 at 8:03 pm
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Hey, keep it clean, man. She may not want you to put in your pole anyway.
HimselfMay 21, 2012 at 9:29 pm
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I know how to spell “ba-dum.” How do you spell the sound of a cymbal?
GSO Saints FanMay 21, 2012 at 11:09 pm
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Everyone stand back, I’m a professional musician, I got this…..
(….step back, let me stretch a bit, don’t wanna pull anything….)
“….psssssshhhh!”
You’re welcome, Himself.
cc58May 23, 2012 at 12:48 pm
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so we can take politically here???
I try to check in every day but have a lot going on currently, so even if I don’t comment be sure to know I’m reading if a day or two late.
stujo4May 21, 2012 at 4:25 pm
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Ha ha!! Al Gore jokes! HA HA!! Hasn’t held an elected or appointed office in 11 years, yet won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 (they give those away like ballpoint pens at an industrial trade show!) and STILL he’s a hilarious clown!! And what a dumb ass!! And so topical!! Hey! Hey! Now do Hillary Clinton…
HimselfMay 21, 2012 at 5:17 pm
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Suppose Hillary Clinton were giving a speech aboard the American Queen, and you were covering it as a photographer. Suddenly she teeters over the rail and falls headlong into the river. As the current bears her Gulf-ward, you have a choice to make: jump in and save her, or take what might be a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo. What shutter speed do you use?
HimselfMay 21, 2012 at 5:17 pm
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Thank you, I’ll be here all week. Try the veal.
stujo4May 21, 2012 at 5:47 pm
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Ok I laughed. Thumb up.
HimselfMay 21, 2012 at 5:50 pm
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Maybe we could do Roger Goodell jokes.
PhilistineMay 22, 2012 at 12:01 am
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And now for something as meaningless as James Varney’s articles, but much more enjoyable:
PhilistineMay 22, 2012 at 12:23 am
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But wait, there’s more…