Lots of talk about whether Andre Johnson SHOULD be suspended or not. Put that aside for a second. What's your feeling on "WILL he be suspended?".
J
J
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WILL (NOT SHOULD) HOU WR Andre Johnson Be Suspended? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Joe Bryant
- Start date
Godsbrother
Footballguy
In previous years I would say a fine and leave it at that. However in the ####ified Goodell era he should be suspended for 2 games with a possible reduction to 1 game.
Then again Goodell is so inconsistent AJ could get anywhere from nothing to being banned for life.
Then again Goodell is so inconsistent AJ could get anywhere from nothing to being banned for life.
SeniorVBDStudent
Footballguy
I think we should call the whole thing Spygate III, because.....well, just because!on topic, will he be suspended? i would guess both players would be, when in fact only CF should be.
Dizzy
Footballguy
I don't think he (or Finnegan) will get suspended... heavy fines coming down though.
With HOU playing this Thursday the NFL just can't take the time to evaluate/suspend without screwing the Texans big time. I think the way Andre handled himself in front of reporters will play a (favorable) role with the Commish regarding a suspension.
With HOU playing this Thursday the NFL just can't take the time to evaluate/suspend without screwing the Texans big time. I think the way Andre handled himself in front of reporters will play a (favorable) role with the Commish regarding a suspension.
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
The only thing Andre Johnson has going for him is his (as far as I know) squeaky clean rep thus far. It is certainly reasonable that what he did yesterday was a one-off situation where he was goaded by Finnegan and lost his cool, and Finnegan clapping in his face after they were separated lends credence to that angle.
That said, he's a professional athlete and is therefore not afforded the luxury of "losing his cool". The fight was pretty vicious and if he doesn't get some sort of suspension for this, what message does that send for the next time two guys decide to square off?
I love AJ as a player and from what I hear from his charity work he sounds like a great guy off the field as well, but I don't see how you don't suspend him here for a minimum one game without pay.
That said, he's a professional athlete and is therefore not afforded the luxury of "losing his cool". The fight was pretty vicious and if he doesn't get some sort of suspension for this, what message does that send for the next time two guys decide to square off?
I love AJ as a player and from what I hear from his charity work he sounds like a great guy off the field as well, but I don't see how you don't suspend him here for a minimum one game without pay.
TheChairman
Footballguy
I would be flabbergasted if there is no suspension for both of them.
Pushing/shoving/slapping during a play - nothing
Ripping each others helmets off - fines
Turning the playing field into your own boxing match - minimum one game each
Pushing/shoving/slapping during a play - nothing
Ripping each others helmets off - fines
Turning the playing field into your own boxing match - minimum one game each
I'll be surprised if they don't suspend him a game.
pantherclub
Footballguy
When will we find out?
belljr
Footballguy
I don't see how the commisioner can suspend him. These 2 guys actively "participated" in this fight. Seymour slaps/punches whatever you want to call it an unsuspecting player after the play and is just fined. This fight was way "worse" in regards to a punch but both guys were fighting and one was not "surprised".
I'm saying no suspension is going to happen
I'm saying no suspension is going to happen
FantasyTrader
Footballguy
I can say it would be the first time I've seen Goodell err on the side of NOT suspending a suspendable infraction. I think he almost HAS to sit a game or else you'll have players clamoring that the name on the back of your jersey matters. And they'd be right.
~A.J. Dynasty owner.
~A.J. Dynasty owner.
Jayrod
Footballguy
This is my feeling.He went crazy on the guy. Prior history aside, you just can't do that.
Touchdown There
Footballguy
I wish they would just let players fight, like in hockey. Refs back up out of the way. No other players are allowed to fight or intervene. Ratings would soar and I doubt CF would pick on Andre Johnson again.
Mr. Know-It-All
Footballguy
When I was growing up, my older brother would instigate EVERY battle. I, however, was always the one being caught retaliating. No difference here. Finnegan is a jackwagon, but Johnson got caught...and continued to throw haymakers like he was playing Old Time Hockey.
For consistency, Finnegan gets a fine and Johnson gets a suspension. However, since Johnson is a name player he probably gets a fine and Finnegan gets a suspension. Goodell means well, but the arbitrary nature of enforcement is a joke.
For consistency, Finnegan gets a fine and Johnson gets a suspension. However, since Johnson is a name player he probably gets a fine and Finnegan gets a suspension. Goodell means well, but the arbitrary nature of enforcement is a joke.
TommyGilmore
Footballguy
1. he should be suspended
2. he will be suspended
3. Finnegan should be given an equal or greater suspension so as not to encourage this kind of "baiting" in the future.
2. he will be suspended
3. Finnegan should be given an equal or greater suspension so as not to encourage this kind of "baiting" in the future.
ThePittbully
Footballguy
He should and will be suspended. He was the first to strip a helmet off and he was throwing nasty shots with Finnegan on his knees. No way he gets away without missing at least one game
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
Start with what happened on that field is illegal in this country. Its called battery. Those men may have both waived their rights regarding injuries that happen as a result of the sport of football, but what happened on that field was not part of the sport of football. Either party has grounds to proceed both in criminal and civil court. I wouldn't be surprised if the NFL has some liability also.
regarding AJ: I personally witnessed 3 punches thrown by AJ connect to the face of the DB. That being after AJ ripped his helmet off.
I would be very surprised if there was no suspension. I imagine there will be a nice fine also, but you hurt players by keeping them off the field. I would say a suspension is a minimum. Criminal or civil charges probably will be coming next (depending on how the DB wants to proceed).
regarding AJ: I personally witnessed 3 punches thrown by AJ connect to the face of the DB. That being after AJ ripped his helmet off.
I would be very surprised if there was no suspension. I imagine there will be a nice fine also, but you hurt players by keeping them off the field. I would say a suspension is a minimum. Criminal or civil charges probably will be coming next (depending on how the DB wants to proceed).
CalBear
Footballguy
Yeah, because hockey's ratings are so high...
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
Start with what happened on that field is illegal in this country. Its called battery. Those men may have both waived their rights regarding injuries that happen as a result of the sport of football, but what happened on that field was not part of the sport of football. Either party has grounds to proceed both in criminal and civil court. I wouldn't be surprised if the NFL has some liability also.
regarding AJ: I personally witnessed 3 punches thrown by AJ connect to the face of the DB. That being after AJ ripped his helmet off.
I would be very surprised if there was no suspension. I imagine there will be a nice fine also, but you hurt players by keeping them off the field. I would say a suspension is a minimum. Criminal or civil charges probably will be coming next (depending on how the DB wants to proceed).
regarding AJ: I personally witnessed 3 punches thrown by AJ connect to the face of the DB. That being after AJ ripped his helmet off.
I would be very surprised if there was no suspension. I imagine there will be a nice fine also, but you hurt players by keeping them off the field. I would say a suspension is a minimum. Criminal or civil charges probably will be coming next (depending on how the DB wants to proceed).
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
Start with what happened on that field is illegal in this country. Its called battery. Those men may have both waived their rights regarding injuries that happen as a result of the sport of football, but what happened on that field was not part of the sport of football. Either party has grounds to proceed both in criminal and civil court. I wouldn't be surprised if the NFL has some liability also.
regarding AJ: I personally witnessed 3 punches thrown by AJ connect to the face of the DB. That being after AJ ripped his helmet off.
I would be very surprised if there was no suspension. I imagine there will be a nice fine also, but you hurt players by keeping them off the field. I would say a suspension is a minimum. Criminal or civil charges probably will be coming next (depending on how the DB wants to proceed).
regarding AJ: I personally witnessed 3 punches thrown by AJ connect to the face of the DB. That being after AJ ripped his helmet off.
I would be very surprised if there was no suspension. I imagine there will be a nice fine also, but you hurt players by keeping them off the field. I would say a suspension is a minimum. Criminal or civil charges probably will be coming next (depending on how the DB wants to proceed).
Chase Stuart
Footballguy
I'd be shocked if he wasn't suspended. I think there's a better chance he receives multiple games rather than zero games. I am 100% confident that after a suspension, someone will post a conspiracy theory that Goodell is just trying to help Golden Boy Peyton make the playoffs.
Kai's Hero
Footballguy
What he said.
TommyGilmore
Footballguy
It's not battery when you're defending yourself against someone who attacked you.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
I honestly can't fathom his not being suspended. He was beating down an opponent without his helmet on, how does that not massively supersede all the crackdown we've been seeing on helmet to helmet and the like? At least those actions are in the context of the game. This was purely driven out of anger and the intent to harm.
#55 on the Texans probably needs to be addressed as well. He entered the fray, granted just to restrain and walk Finnegan, but he entered the fray, put his hands on an opposing player, and clearly ignored the ref's instructions to back off. Nothing came of it, but the refs have a tough job. Players have to follow thier instructions or all hell will break loose. I expect he will get a fine, and that he will gladly pay it, or that Johnson will do so on his behalf. the NFL's theater of discipline has to always run its course under this Commish..
massraider
Footballguy
That's what I say.Seymour gets 25k for knocking a QB down, but people think a first time offender like AJ will get suspended? People aren't using their heads.
Dr. Awesome
Footballguy
Unless I am mistaken (and I only watched the replay once), it looked like Finnegan took the first swing. They should both be suspended though.
footballnerd
Footballguy
similar to thisat the same time Finnegan gets suspended for hitting a defenseless receiver in the head
HustleBlood
Footballguy
funny thing--
kubiak gives AJ game ball
touche'
kubiak gives AJ game ball
touche'
bmetz
Footballguy
All past bad blood between these two players aside, I don't think Finnegan went into that altercation thinking they were going to drop gloves. On the previous play he got his helmet knocked off, and got roughed up pretty good by AJ on a run-blocking play. Looked to me like he was returning the favor. AJ retaliates by ripping off Finnegan's helmet, Finnegan rips AJ's off, loses his balance in the process of throwing it (like an idiot), and catches 2 punches while on the ground, and a nice uppercut as he's getting up. He got his ### beat, no doubt, but it's not like it was a clean hockey fight where both players drop gloves and expect to start tossing haymakers.Personally, I think they both get suspended a game. Finnegan for instigation + past history. CJ for throwing 3 punches to a player without a helmet.
TommyGilmore
Footballguy
The last part is certainly up for debate. You see an angry guy who intends to harm Finnegan; Houston fans see a guy who is merely defending himself after being assaulted. Others see it as something between those two extremes.
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
"At common law, an intentional unpermitted act causing harmful or offensive contact with the "person" of another.Battery is concerned with the right to have one's body left alone by others."It is not self defense when you had the opportunity to walk away. If someone punches you and walks away, you don't have the right to pursue and start punching them. You have the right to go get a cop and have them charged. Finnegan took off AJs helmet, but then stopped. At that point the conflict was over. Everything before that is arguably part of the game (at least how it is played today). It wasn't battery until AJ went after Finnegan, after the conflict had stopped, removed Finnegan's helmet and THEN punched him in the face three times. That part was not part of the game and I doubt anyone had consented to that.But then these are issues for a court to decide. I believe there is a case here (especially if Finnegan was injured).EDIT: I am reading that the sequence of acts may have been different. It may be that it was self defense, but it is still a chargeable offense (even if there was a self defense argument on behalf of the batterer).
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CalBear
Footballguy
There is no chance that a court of law would find either man guilty of battery in this incident. No chance.
Breesisdaman
Footballguy
He didnt lead with his helmet therefore I dont think he will be suspended. 
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
Because none of the elements are satisfied? All of the elements are. I disagree. People are found guilty of battery (in some instances) for simply touching someone they know doesn't want to be touched. If Finnegan, lets say, had his jaw broken, there is positively a case here. Here, there may be no damages, but that is different from no crime.
HateDaBears
Footballguy
I believe Johnson will be fined and suspended. Watch his reaction to the referee. i believe he made contact. That may get him in more trouble.
DocHolliday
Footballguy
Seymour did not get suspended for sucker punching Big Ben. Johnson will not be suspended either. If he does get suspended, he should file a grievance. The precedent was set with Seymour.
bmetz
Footballguy
Right, and we all know how consistent Goodell has been with his punishments.
Hairy Snowman
Footballguy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDJZw_EIIag...feature=related
After reviewing the play, AJ started it completely. Start at 1:46. AJ removed Finnegans helmet first. tHEN Finnegan grabbed AJs helmet and threw it, but while he did AJ started punching him.
Positively battery. There was no intent to play any game there. AJ went right after removing Finnegans helmet and then started punching him in the face. Look for yourself. AJ knew what he was doing before he got the helmet off.
After reviewing the play, AJ started it completely. Start at 1:46. AJ removed Finnegans helmet first. tHEN Finnegan grabbed AJs helmet and threw it, but while he did AJ started punching him.
Positively battery. There was no intent to play any game there. AJ went right after removing Finnegans helmet and then started punching him in the face. Look for yourself. AJ knew what he was doing before he got the helmet off.
TheChairman
Footballguy
Seymour didn't rip Ben's helmet off and throw haymakers. AJ's display is way worse than an open handed jab to the facemask. My guess is 2 games.
CalBear
Footballguy
In a football context, or other contact sport? Show me an example of someone being criminally charged due to a fight in hockey, football, rugby, whatever. Even in the Romanowski/Marcus Williams case (which is a much stronger case), there were no criminal charges, and the civil jury found that Romanowski did not engage in conduct with malice or oppression, and did not intentionally inflict emotional distress.
