Captain Caveman

I agree it might be uncommon for a team to interview the victim in this type of situation, but I do think it speaks to the depth of their investigation (which is to say, pretty shallow) that they met once for a few hours, and never asked a single follow up question after that day.

I think that her attorney had every reason to share the details they had early on to press for a more favorable result. I think either the Bills didn't ask the right questions, or they sat on information that later on proved to be too toxic to live with.

With the current timing of things I honestly don't expect them to cut him separately from the rest of the final cutdowns.

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/27/bills-investigation-of-matt-araiza-didnt-include-information-from-alleged-victims-perspective/

If they didn't know those details it's because they failed to investigate / ask. It's pretty clear her attorney was disappointed in the organization's follow up with them on the details of the case.

The player's union may be able to file a grievance, but it's unlikely to do much good - all the Bills need to be able to prove is that he misled / withheld information and he's got no case. Anyway, worst case scenario the Bills will be forced to pay his ~$700,000 contract this year. A small price to pay to move on from this.

In the US you can generally fire someone for any reason at any time (other than a few protected Civil Rights type things, e.g. race, gender, etc...)

I disagree, if there is any part of this that McDermott / the organization feels like Arraiza wasn't 100% honest about they can simply say it's a matter of broken trust. An employer isn't going to be required to keep on an employee that they feel they can't trust.

I disagree here - police consistently ***** up rape so bad, and it's completely unacceptable that this has been going on for 10 months with no one charged (or cleared.) I think based on what is reported so far (understanding that not all of may be true, or it may not be the whole story) it's reasonable to think that almost certainly some bad ***** happened, he was involved to some degree, and I do not want this guy on our football team.

The thing is, for every story similar to Duke Lacrosse there are 10 more women who are raped / sexually assaulted where the offenders are not held accountable.

If that is the defense, are we really to believe that he didn't know / realize she was drunk?

It is not, the Bills need to step up and make the decision here (which it seems like they already have) I agree that having him play seems like a bad move.

For everyone talking about how the Beane and McDermott would never keep a guy who could have done this, let's not forget that they kept Tyrel Dodson after his domestic violence charge. In that case he served what the League deemed to be an appropriate suspension, and I don't really have a problem with him getting a second chance. But I think it is helpful in looking at how Beane and McDermott view a player in trouble - as a business decision.

I wish I could believe that they believe that, but I don't.

Who cares what the NFL can do (I already know they're a garbage organization) I want the Bills to do the right thing, and am disappointed that they probably won't (cause they would have weeks ago if they were going to.)

I'd be willing to bet he would have been traded and played last year if not for those legal issues

Watson didn't play for a year and has been suspended for another 11 games while it was "playing out"

I wouldn't have thought that yesterday morning. But based on the details out there right now it sure looks like I was wrong.

A civil suit is about money, and that's ok. His client also filed a police report and pretty obviously wants to press charges, she wants him held accountable in all the ways that are possible.

It's difficult to discuss this thing without sounding like a shitbag. With that said (and as a likely shitbag) based on the details that have come out so far (especially the recorded phone call) unless the team has some extremely exculpatory evidence, I feel he should be cut (and should have been cut last month when they found out. This sucks.

Next year is already gonna be tough with Josh's big numbers kicking in, I doubt we kick too much can down the road (everyone does it a little.)

I took my kids last weekend, and while I can't vouch for any food (we ate in / around Buffalo) the Maid of the Mist was well worth the ~20 bucks per person. I've been to Niagara Falls probably 5-10 times in my life and can't believe I'd never done it before.

Reminded me of Tommy Salami https://buffalonews.com/news/fan-caught-in-the-act-hoping-for-an-encore/article_c4a03a4e-c3e5-5d31-92db-80531b91f06e.html

Yes, but if not for the legal trouble he almost certainly would have been traded and played last year.