Myles Garrett has precedent, should win appeal
Following Wednesday morning’s appeal hearing with the NFL, Myles Garrett and his case for a finite suspension and comeback this year is a real possibility.
Everyone saw the play. There’s no need to replay it or show anymore photos or video clips of it. After the Cleveland Browns Thursday night’s win over the division rival Steelers was overshadowed by the late game helmet slinging madness from Myles Garrett, it was played over and over on every news channel the next day.
Anyone you talked to had seen the play, even those who don’t watch football. It came as no surprise that, like many suspected, Garrett was suspended on Friday indefinitely, but for at least the rest of the season.
Now that the shock has worn off and people have had time to cool down, it’s clear to see that in no way does he deserve a suspension of that length for an on field incident.
While what Garrett did was egregious and he definitely deserves to be suspended, to be suspended indefinitely is uncalled for. The NFL Players Association is using the Collective Bargaining Agreement and precedent as key cases in the case to get Garrett back on the field sooner, be it this season or not.
An indefinite suspension does not fit into the rules of the CBA for an on field incident. Rather, an on field incident usually has a definite timetable for return from suspension.
While many saw what could have happened with Garrett swinging the helmet on last Thursday night, the NFL overreacted.
Not only will the NFLPA use the CBA for their argument, but they will also use precedent for their case. In 2013, Antonio Smith took off the helmet of Richie Incognito and swung it at him. The suspension for Smith was only 3 games overall, including 2 preseason games.
Source says Myles Garrett appeal argument is precedent-based. Antonio Smith got 2 preseason gms + 1 reg season gm for swinging helmet at Incognito in '13. Ergo, even six games (remainder of this season) is too long, they argue. And of course, indefinite suspension unacceptable.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) November 20, 2019
Regardless the argument actually used, Garrett is expected to hear a result from his appeal hearing soon, possibly even by this weekend. Browns fans are hoping that they get good news and get him this season.
With a shot to still make the playoffs, Cleveland could use Garrett down the stretch run of the season. While he deserves a suspension, a shortened suspension of the one initially handed down is much more fair.
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Garrett and the NFLPA should win their appeal, and even more precent should be set in the instance there is ever future on field incidents similar to what everyone saw last weekend.