The Impact Of Wilfork's DVD On Future Disipline Matters.

A DVD has apparently saved Vince Wilfork from at least a week's suspension by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell met with Wilfork recently regarding a hit to the head on Denver Broncos QB Jay Cutler. It was reported that during this meeting Wilfork's wife Bianca gave Goodell a DVD of an alternate angle of the hit on Cutler that showed the hit might not have been to Cutler's head.

A league official has stated that the DVD was not clear enough to decide whether Wilfork hit Cutler in the head. However, the fact remains that, at least to the public eye, it looks as though Goodell's mind was changed because of a video angle that was discovered by Wilfork himself.

So what does this mean for the NFL going forward? They will surely contend that the DVD had nothing to do with Goodell's decision not to suspend Wilfork. However, players being suspended or fines will surely be searching all available angles to find the one that puts their hits or actions in the best light. Has Goodell now set the precedent that he will consider every possible angle that a player brings to him? Also, will Goodell decide the issue using the angle that is most favorable to the offending player or will he use another angle that is more clear or will he use all of the angles together in forming his decision?

Another question that is brought up is past discipline that may be based on angles that did not show what really happened. Will disciplined players be looking in the film room for tape that shows their hits were less severe? Also, is there any steps in place to ensure that the tapes have not been changed or doctored?

I believe that these are just some of the questions that Goodell will have to answer if the practice of looking at outside angles to decide discipline matter continues.