NFL does file appeal to 8th Circuit, and returns Peterson to Commissioner/Exempt list while new arbitration awaits. Courtroom football.
Interesting note: NFL told AP on 11/10 to come to 11/14 meeting. AP asked for different date, NFL didn't respond, suspended him on 11/18.
Translation: Doty says to go back and have NFL arbitrator -- probably not Henderson -- apply "old standard" (whatever that was).
Doty: "The case is remanded for such further proceedings consistent with this order as the CBA may permit." May mean another hearing.
To clear up confusion, Judge Doty cannot reinstate Adrian Peterson, only the NFL can do that. He can only vacate (overturn) ruling.
Peterson and Rice rulings should affect discipline for any player behavior before the new policy implemented.
And yes, ruling will help Greg Hardy. "Old standard" -- perhaps 2-game suspension as with original Rice ruling -- may be applied.
Can see NFL thinking: "Ok, we'll get these lingering cases out of the way and take our lumps, now we can impose new policy going forward."
And, even after these losses from Judge Jones and Judge Doty, the NFL still has its new Policy, imposed without Union involvement.
Although NFL got rebukes from arbitrators/judges on Rice, Peterson, they kept them off the field in 2014, which was major objective.
My thought on NFL appeal: they could, and 8th circuit could reverse, but as with Rice reversal, may be better to just accept it and move on.
This is NFL's problem: applied "old standard" to Rice initially, faced outrage. But can't apply "new standard" until new policy in place.
Judge Doty has been player-friendly judge, but standard was still high. NFL was susceptible in applying new standards to prior conduct.
Important point: courts are very hesitant to overrule arbitrations done in the CBA process; high standard, but happened here.
Just finding out about NFLPA/Peterson win in federal court v. NFL. My sense is argument about retroactively applying new policy worked.
