RULE 17

[Science Friction]

(01-04-2023, 05:20 AM)Nepa Wrote: This is a lot of good information. The league apparently does have rules in place. i hope they follow the detailed rules and not the Goodell absolute power line, which goes against the carefully crafted rules that cover this situation.

Yes. I concur. The rules are definitely there for what is supposed to take place in these type of situations. It's very specific  about what options can be considered and what can't. However, I do worry about the one sentence in Article 4 , which seems to give him authority to make up stuff as he sees fit. So why even have a  a list of clear guidelines to follow if you are gonna include a sentence giving him authority to do whatever?  Why not just have a one sentence statement of Rule 17 saying, "In these situations, the Commissioner can just make shit up."

I think if Goodell decides to go rogue here instead of following what is laid out in Rule 17, he will cite that there are no options available that are "devoid of competitive inequities," which is a common theme that runs throughout  17. In other words, any option he takes will result in one or more teams getting the shaft. He's probably hoping that Week 18 results will help him out of this with an option that results in as little "competitive inequity" as possible.