The Falcons tampered with quarterback Kirk Cousins, as shown by his introductory news conference comments. NFL is investigating. If the NFL wants to find the truth, an inquiry that highlights the evident meddling should be easy.
How much and if the Falcons are punished. Some believe Rich McKay on the Competition Committee will exclude the Falcons. That shouldn't happen. They were punished less for pumping phony crowd noise into the Georgia Dome than the 49ers were for an accounting error.
The NFL's handling of last year's Cardinals' meddling with former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon makes an announcement before the first round of the draft likely.
The Falcons have the eighth round one pick. Vikings have eleventh. What if the Falcons and Vikings swap choices as punishment? The NFL set the precedent last year with the surprising Cardinals-Eagles deal. It makes sense for the Falcons and Vikings to play again.
It would be fair if (as Cousins admitted) he spoke with the team's head athletic trainer the day before the team was allowed to speak to him, possibly spoke with director of player personnel Ryan Pace
recruited former Bears receiver Darnell Mooney during the negotiating window, and whatever else the NFL might have discovered by reviewing text messages and other evidence, including
The Vikings may and should get the ninth and 23rd choices. This may help them trade up into the top five. They may stay at eight and wait for a quarterback they like to fall to them.
Last year, the NFL released the crucial Cardinals-Eagles tampering nugget shortly before the draft, so it makes sense to check for it again this year, especially given the Falcons tampered with Cousins.
stay turned for development