Colts Owner Jim Irsay's suspension for his March DUI arrest is "probably going to be three or four games," on top of a "pretty substantial fine, maybe on the order" of $500,000, according to sources cited by Jason Cole of BLEACHER REPORT. The $500,000 figure "currently is the max allowed by the NFL." Sources said that Ravens RB Ray Rice's two-game suspension for domestic violence will have a "direct relation" on Irsay's punishment and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is going to "frame a suspension" for Irsay that is "slightly longer than the one" for Rice. Cole: "They're going to make a statement here that owners are held to a very, very high standard just like players" ("Insider Buzz," Bleacher Report, 7/28). THE MMQB's Peter King said the league "should have done something by now, and in my opinion, they should have done something before training camp." King: "I don't even know whether it's imminent. ... Why is it taking so long? The only thing I can tell you is I'm sure they're giving Jim Irsay every benefit of every doubt in talking to them and in trying for him to come up with some sort of reason about why he shouldn't be suspended for, let's say, half the season with a seven-figure fine" ("PTI," ESPN, 7/29).
SET THE STANDARD: CBS Sports Network's Tony Luftman said three or four games is "not enough" and noted he agrees with NFLPA President Eric Winston's stance on the situation. Luftman: "He says that owners should be held to a higher standard. ... I'd like to see eight games because of the message that it sends. It has to be a strong message." Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin added, "I'm very comfortable with four games. I think these punishments should be applied uniformly across the board." But CBS Sports Network's Jim Rome replied, "There's a certain level of empathy here. He's dealing with severe addiction issues. What if it were a player that did the exact same thing? Would the player be looking at three to four games?" ("Rome," CBSSN, 7/29).
