NFL 2022 Season

[Pyperkub]

PS - confirmed, ALL 24 rep'd by Buzbee

The 23rd suit was filed Tuesday by Buzbee’s client Nia Smith, and all 24 of the plaintiffs are represented by Buzbee.

[Zarathud]

IMO that doesn’t mean anything. There are a lot of efficiencies for a lawyer to specialize in a type of lawsuit. They’ve seen all the objections and delay tactics from the other side, and willing to put in the work. When the other side knows that, you can get more progress.

Chicago is a big legal market and when a taxi company wasn’t willing to put us in contact with a driver who was rear ended while my wife was in the car, I got only 3 names of attorneys regularly suing taxi companies. One knew exactly who to call and we quickly got the info needed to deal with her medical bills. I had the same thing recently with a life insurance policy payment that was stalled. A letter to a specific person with the right words got the payment made.

It’s more complicated when it comes time to settle, as the cases will have different strengths so the clients may not always align.

[RunningMn9]

Watson’s lawyer. Oof. All the time Mr.Fed spends trying to get people to shut up and not say something stupid, and his lawyer takes the time to remind us that “happy endings” aren’t necessarily illegal.

[Pyperkub]

Settlement offer (and NDA) rejected at trade deadline last year

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/desh ... is-reason/

[noxiousdog]

Approximately 99% of grand juries indict. Since it was dismissed, it's far more likely the prosecutor tanked the case on purpose.

[Pyperkub]

The best collection on Watson I've seen, with some info I hadn't:

Not all of the women who gave Watson massages between October 2019 and March 2021 have detailed their interactions with him. Some who have shared their experiences say they had no problems with him. Others describe troubling — and similar — behaviors.

The 66 women are:

The 24 who have sued him, including two who filed suits within the last week. In the most recent suit, the woman said Watson masturbated during the massage.

A woman who sued but then withdrew the complaint because of “privacy and security concerns.”

Two women who filed criminal complaints against Watson but did not sue him.

At least 15 therapists who issued statements of support for Watson at the request of his lawyers and gave him massages during that period.

At least four therapists from Genuine Touch, the massage therapy group contracted with the Texans.

Five women identified by the plaintiffs’ lawyers during the investigation for their civil suits.

At least 15 other women whose appointments with Watson were confirmed through interviews and records reviewed by The Times.

IMHO, the bolded part is news to me, tho I haven't dug much into this, and (the bolded) does indicate it's not all the one Lawyer, which was my biggest red flag concern.

[Jaymann]

So, how about that Baker Mayfield?

[RunningMn9]

Approximately 99% of grand juries indict. Since it was dismissed, it's far more likely the prosecutor tanked the case on purpose.

While true, there are also extenuating circumstances that can arise with celebrities, and quirks of the system that just happen to come up (i.e. they had a reduced head count that day which can dramatically increase the chances of no billing an indictment by reducing the number of “no” votes necessary).

But I do suspect the prosecutor wanted the grand jury to say no rather than to elect to not prosecute.

[Isgrimnur]

So, how about that Baker Mayfield?

Panthers or Seahawks?

[Pyperkub]

Approximately 99% of grand juries indict. Since it was dismissed, it's far more likely the prosecutor tanked the case on purpose.

While true, there are also extenuating circumstances that can arise with celebrities, and quirks of the system that just happen to come up (i.e. they had a reduced head count that day which can dramatically increase the chances of no billing an indictment by reducing the number of “no” votes necessary).

But I do suspect the prosecutor wanted the grand jury to say no rather than to elect to not prosecute.

I do think that in these specific alleged crimes, @noxiousdog 's numbers aren't accurate, for a variety of reasons:

Prior to DOJ’s recent investigation of BPD, a 2014 analysis of policing data revealed that from 1995 to 2012, the number of reported rapes in Baltimore suspiciously fell by 80 percent, compared to a 7 percent decline nationally. Of course, Baltimore did not actually see an 80-percent reduction in rapes. According to a 2010 investigation by the city’s Sun newspaper, during this period BPD reported a dramatic uptick in the number of sexual assault cases coded as “unfounded.” BPD and other cities not only routinely miscoded reports of sexual assault as unfounded, but also downgraded reports to lesser crimes, and even avoided creating a written record of a report altogether. As a result, BPD and other police departments did not have to report these cases to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, causing potentially over one million rape cases to go unreported in national statistics. DOJ’s recent investigation found that BPD no longer codes as many sexual assaults as “unfounded,” but now reports over half of sexual assault cases as “open,” deliberately misrepresenting the nature of the investigation and despite making no effort to continue an investigation. Poor reporting of sexual assault cases greatly undermines police accountability and public trust in police, as well as skews national statistics which are used for policymaking at the federal level. And, compounded by the fact that sexual assault reporting standards can vary greatly depending on which agency reports it, local, state, and federal policymakers are often unable to effectively understand and respond to sexual assault issues or crack down on bad actors manipulating data.

Bad data about the prevalence of sexual assault, combined with widespread under-investigation of these cases, also contributes to the unsettlingly commonplace narrative that women reporting sexual assault are likely lying. The Sun’s investigation found BPD previously reported 30 percent of sexual assault cases as “unfounded.” In reality, not only do the majority of sexual assaults go unreported, but the best estimates place the number of false sexual assault reports at between 2 and 10 percent. Nevertheless, many police officers exhibit a strong bias in responding to and reporting sexual assault cases based on the assumption that false reporting is common. DOJ’s investigation revealed that BPD officers would disregard reports of sexual assault, fail to gather basic evidence, and even discourage victims from pursuing justice. An American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) survey of sexual assault survivor advocates, attorneys, and service providers in 2015 revealed that over 80 percent of respondents reported police frequently do not believe victims, engage in victim blaming, or simply do not take reports seriously, and as a result, dismiss reports or do not take sufficient action. Even when it is difficult to draw a direct relationship between explicit bias and mismanagement of an investigation, law enforcement’s subtle and subconscious biases, reinforced by bad data, undoubtedly taint the quality and rigor of sexual assault investigations and do survivors a great disservice.

More info on bad grand jury data:

G. The most significant gap in this data is the grand jury process. While there were
four cases in which the court file noted that the case was pending an indictment from the grand
jury, the grand jury proceedings are considered almost entirely confidential and the USAO
interprets that confidentiality to extend to whether a case is going before the grand jury at all,
not just the conventionally agreed upon confidentiality of the contents of the testimony and the
questions asked. Information that would shed light on the use of grand juries in this process
include which cases are pending before a grand jury, whether the AUSA requested a bill of
indictment at all, and whether one was granted if requested. These are procedural steps and not
related to the content of the grand jury proceedings.

[noxiousdog]

I don't understand your point. What did that have to do with grand juries declining to indict when they are presented with cases?

[Scuzz]

So, how about that Baker Mayfield?

He never gave Watson a message that we know of.

[noxiousdog]

Apparently everybody else did. The New York times reported that he's had 66 different massage therapists within 17 months.

[Isgrimnur]

So, how about that Baker Mayfield?

He never gave Watson a message that we know of.

Was the message a missive about a mission to find a masseuse?

[Scuzz]

So, how about that Baker Mayfield?

He never gave Watson a message that we know of.

Was the message a missive about a mission to find a masseuse?

Caught by the spelling police.

[Pyperkub]

20 of the 24 lawsuits settled...

Deshaun Watson, the Cleveland Browns quarterback, has reached settlements with 20 of the 24 women who have filed sexual misconduct lawsuits against him, the lawyer Tony Buzbee announced Tuesday morning. In a statement, Buzbee, who represents Watson’s accusers, said that the terms and amounts of these settlements were confidential and that he would not comment further.

[stessier]

Gronk retired (again).

A little trip down memory lane.

[Isgrimnur]

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has died

Baltimore City police have confirmed that the victim in a "questionable death" in the 400 block of Ilchester Avenue on Tuesday night was Ferguson. Officers were called around 11:30 p.m. to the scene. The death is being investigated as questionable until the Medical Examiner's office determines the cause.

[Pyperkub]

Gronk retired (again).

A little trip down memory lane.

If TB is in contention in November, I expect he will unretire...

[Isgrimnur]

If TB is in contention in November, I expect he will unretire...

When even your players are fair-weather bandwagoners.

[Jaymann]

It's on! Great Thursday night game with Bills at Rams, even a potential Super Bowl match up. And it's on NBC, not that crap ass NFL network.

[RunningMn9]

At least we seem to have purged all of our gang rapists before the season started!

[Jaymann]

Shockingly the Bills are favored on the road by 2.5.

[RunningMn9]

Shockingly the Bills are favored on the road by 2.5.

The Bills are good. I think it will be tough for them to go on the road against the defending champs who are hanging their banner. Especially with some weakness or uncertainty at corner - against a very good passing attack.

If the DL is as for real as they looked over the summer, that might mitigate things, we’ll see. I think the Rams take a close one, but I can see it going either way.

[El Guapo]

Shockingly the Bills are favored on the road by 2.5.

The Bills are good. I think it will be tough for them to go on the road against the defending champs who are hanging their banner. Especially with some weakness or uncertainty at corner - against a very good passing attack.

If the DL is as for real as they looked over the summer, that might mitigate things, we’ll see. I think the Rams take a close one, but I can see it going either way.

Is it weird to be going into the season with the Bills as such a heavy Super Bowl favorite?

[Jaymann]

Shockingly the Bills are favored on the road by 2.5.

The Bills are good. I think it will be tough for them to go on the road against the defending champs who are hanging their banner. Especially with some weakness or uncertainty at corner - against a very good passing attack.

If the DL is as for real as they looked over the summer, that might mitigate things, we’ll see. I think the Rams take a close one, but I can see it going either way.

Is it weird to be going into the season with the Bills as such a heavy Super Bowl favorite?

Their track record speaks for itself.

[RunningMn9]

Is it weird to be going into the season with the Bills as such a heavy Super Bowl favorite?

Yes. This has been the most hype I’ve seen for a Bills team probably since the 1991 season.

[Jaymann]

Would be fantastic if they played the Vikings in the SB.

[RunningMn9]

Would be fantastic if they played the Vikings in the SB.

Why?

[Jaymann]

Would be fantastic if they played the Vikings in the SB.

Why?

Because somebody has to win.

[Isgrimnur]

Four NFL teams have never made it to the Super Bowl: the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

[Jeff V]

Would be fantastic if they played the Vikings in the SB.

Why?

They are tied for most SB appearances without a win.

[Isgrimnur]

No team outside the AFC East has gone to more than two Superb Owls in a row.

[Jaymann]

Wow, that was an old fashioned country ass whoopin'. I can see why the pundits are so high on the Bills. They were 13 seconds of BS from making noise last year.

[El Guapo]

Apparently Josh Allen is very good at football.

[RunningMn9]

Would be fantastic if they played the Vikings in the SB.

Why?

They are tied for most SB appearances without a win.

I’m aware. I asked the question because what happened during the 70s, 80s and 90s has no relevance today. Most Vikings fans weren’t alive when they lost their four, and that might even be true for the Bills as well.

It’s also unnecessarily hurtful to the team that loses that hypothetical match up.

[RunningMn9]

Apparently Josh Allen is very good at football.

He is a glorious unicorn and I love him.

I was really surprised at the performance of the defense. The DL is for real. 7 sacks without a single blitz, effectively with rookies at CB. And they did it while still letting Kupp feast which I appreciated for fantasy purposes. I did not expect them to curb stomp the Rams.

The Rams are nothing if not prepared usually. But they didn’t even try to involve Allen Robinson in the game.

[Jaymann]

Before we get too far into the season, I thought it would be interesting to do some picks. Mine are below in bold. Usually when I can't decide I choose the team I hate more. Uncannily accurate.

Saints at Falcons
49ers at Bears
Steelers at Bengals
Eagles at Lions
Pats at Dolphins
Ravens at Jets
Jags at Commodores
Browns at Panthers
Colts at Texans
Giants at Titans
Packers at Vikings
Chiefs at Cardinals
Raiders at Chargers
Bucs at Cowboys
Broncos at Seahawks

[Isgrimnur]

Commodores? When did Vandy go pro?

[Jaymann]

When Lionel Richie left the group.