http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/83490 ... eals-panel

Coaches are a different matter, but it was ruled by the appeas council that Goodell did not have the authority to ban the players because he was their only appeal to his original ruling. He can push for a ban again but would have to provide the evidence he guarded previously. The 4 players are all eligible to play this weekend.

For anyone who thinks Goodell has been over-exerting his influence, this is a major victory.

I still think Vilma & CO are as guilty as OJ was, and are now going to get off on the letter of the law and be proud of it. Vilma is a disgrace, and still contends "there was no bounty program" when his Coach, D Coordinator and GM have all fessed up to it. So on that note i am dissapointed, but the silver lining is Goodell did need an authority check.

For what was actually ruled on, that article was so misleading. I think the players are prematurely celebrating and are going to be suspended again early next week. They never said Goodell overstepped his authority, they said he had to clarify which violations were pay to injure which falls under detrimental conduct and pay for performance which falls under the salary cap violation and someone else's jurisdiction for punishment. This is going to hurt the Saints and Browns because they have to release someone to make room, and hope someone doesn't claim then before they have to resign them again.

The only thing that can be claimed as a victory would be if the evidence had to be shown, but the ruling didn't say that. It just said that the league had to clarify the separation and even if punishment is given out by someone else, it's still league official. Fining a player his entire salary for what had been the old suspension would still send a message.