Klis: History points to caution by Goodell, NFL in Talib ban

The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell don’t need to wait for the conclusion of an investigation into a June shooting in Dallas that left Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib with two gunshot wounds to his right leg to dish out discipline to the Pro Bowl defender.

But they more than likely will wait, and maybe not for the reason many would think.

Mike Klis, 9News Broncos Insider, said Tuesday morning on “Schlereth and Evans” that Goodell and the NFL likely will wait until Dallas police finish its investigation into the incident before doling out a ban to Talib, but not because the result would necessarily influence the league’s decision one way or another.

Klis said if Goodell jumps out ahead of the investigation and suspends Talib, “his lawyers could basically sue the NFL for prejudicing his case in legal matters.”

“And the NFL would lose. And we all know by now that the NFL is getting tired of getting sued and losing,” Klis said. “So, I think they’re going to wait for Dallas before they do anything.”

Talib could even start the season on the Broncos roster, Klis said, and get suspended later.

“The Broncos would hope it would take on the other side of a calendar year before Dallas finishes its investigation,” Klis said. “But I would be surprised if Goodell got out in front of the Dallas police investigation.”

Klis said that he does suspect Talib will, eventually, face some sort of a ban, though it may end up not affecting the Broncos at all.

“… Maybe this is his last year with the Broncos, and maybe he plays out the whole year, but yes, eventually, I do think he gets suspended,” Klis said.

Last week, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter joined 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive with Big Al and DMac” to discuss possible discipline Talib faces.

Schefter said he would be surprised if Talib, who had been sidelined with the injury until early last week and did not participate in Thursday’s preseason opener, did not see discipline in “some form or another.”

“I remember initially speaking to somebody, and we were discussing the situation. And we were discussing it in a hypothetical way, because we do not know the exact facts of the situation. It’s a mystery. But the person I was talking to said, ‘I don’t see how this is less than eight games,’” Schefter said.

He continued: “I don’t what it’s going to be. I’m just telling you what one knowledgeable person told me. Now maybe he’s suspended one game. That could be. Maybe it’s four games, and they appeal it and get it down to two.”